A continuous solution polymerization process is disclosed wherein at least two catalyst formulations are employed. A first homogeneous catalyst formulation is employed in a first reactor to produce a first ethylene interpolymer and a first heterogeneous catalyst formulation is employed in a second reactor to produce a second ethylene interpolymer. Optionally a third ethylene interpolymer is formed in a third reactor. The resulting ethylene interpolymer products possess desirable properties in a variety of end use applications, for example in film applications. A means for increasing the molecular weight of the first ethylene interpolymer is disclosed and/or a means for increasing the temperature of the first reactor, relative to a third homogeneous catalyst formulation. A means for reducing the (-olefin/ethylene) weight ratio in the first reactor is disclosed and/or reducing the density of the first ethylene interpolymer, relative to a third homogeneous catalyst formulation.

Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

In an embodiment, a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) composition is provided. The TPV composition includes a thermoplastic polyolefin; and an ethylene based copolymer rubber, wherein the ethylene based copolymer rubber has: a Mw of from 500,000 g/mol to 3,000,000 g/mol, a Mw/Mn of 4.0 or lower, and a g.sub.vis of 0.90 or greater. In another embodiment, a TPV composition includes a thermoplastic phase and an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, wherein the thermoplastic vulcanizate composition has: a hardness of from 20 Shore A to 60 Shore D; and a stress relaxation slope of 1 to 5 (l/min) as measured by an Elastocon stress relaxation instrument.

The present invention discloses a rubber composition, a processing method thereof, and an aging resistant rubber product using the rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises a rubber matrix and essential components, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber matrix, the rubber matrix comprises a branched polyethylene with a content represented as A, in which 0<A100 parts, and an EPM and an EPDM with a content represented as B, in which 0<B100 parts; and the essential components comprise 1.5-10 parts of a crosslinking agent, 30-200 parts of a reinforcing filler, and 5-250 parts of a plasticizer. The rubber composition provided by present invention has good processability and can be used for producing rubber products with high aging resistance and compression set resistance.

The present invention discloses a rubber composition, a processing method thereof, and rubber product reinforced with silica using the same. The rubber composition comprises a rubber matrix and essential components, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber matrix, the rubber matrix comprises, a branched polyethylene with a content represented as A, in which 0<A100, and an EPM and an EPDM with a total content represented as B, in which 0B<100; and the essential components comprise 1-10 parts of a crosslinking agent and 15-80 parts of silica. The rubber composition can be used for producing high-voltage insulating sheath rubber, high-temperature resistant conveyor belt, waterproof coil, rubber particles for plastic track surface layer, rubber plug, rubber roller, inner tube, tire tread, tire sidewall, and inner rubber layer of air-conditioner hose.

Processes are provided which include copolymerization using one or both of a metallocene catalyst capable of producing high molecular weight polymers and a metallocene catalyst capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations. Polymerization processes include dual catalyst polymerization in a single polymerization zone comprising both metallocene catalysts. Other processes include serial or parallel polymerizations in multiple polymerization zones, using either or both catalysts in each polymerization zone. Such polymerization processes produce reactor blends, and are particularly suited for producing copolymer compositions (such as EP or EPDM copolymer compositions) exhibiting improved melt elasticity and rheological properties.

The present invention relates to a branched modifier and a composition comprising more than 25 wt % (based on the weight of the composition) of one or more linear ethylene polymers having a g.sub.vis of 0.97 or more and an Mw of 20,000 g/mol or more and at least 0.1 wt % of a branched modifier where the modifier has a) a g.sub.vis of 0.70 or less; b) an Mw of 100,000 g/mol or more; c) an Mw/Mn of 4.0 or more; d) a shear thinning ratio of 110 or more, e) a melt strength of 10 cN or more; f) a complex viscosity at 0.1 rad/sec at 190 C. of at least 130,000 Pa.Math.s; and g) a phase angle of Z or less where Z=138.3G*.sup.(0.142), where G* is the complex modulus reported in Pascals measured at 190 C. and the phase angle units are reported in degrees, wherein the G* is from 1,000 to 1,000,000 Pa.

A polyethylene composition for producing blow-molded hollow articles, having the following features: 1) density from greater than 0.957 to 0.965 g/cm.sup.3, determined according to ISO 1183-1 at 23 C.; 2) ratio MIF/MIP from 12 to 25; 3) MIF from 18 to 40 g/10 min.; 4) Mw equal to or greater than 230,000 g/mol; 5) .sub.0.02 from 35,000 to 55,000 Pa.Math.s; 6) long-chain branching index, LCBI, equal to or greater than 0.55; and 7) ratio (.sub.0.02/1000)/LCBI from 55 to 75.

Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125 C. of less than 5; and phase angle at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5, as determined at 125 C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).

Disclosed are an aging-resistant rubber composition and methods for processing and use thereof. The rubber composition includes a rubber matrix and compounding components. In parts by weight, every 100 parts of rubber matrix comprise 50-99 parts of a halogenated butyl rubber, 0-50 parts of a highly branched polyethylene P1, and 0-50 parts of P2 obtained by the polarization modification of said highly branched polyethylene P1. The sum of P1 and P2 in parts by weight is 1-50 parts; and the compounding components comprise a vulcanization system.