SUBSTANTIALLY LINEAR ETHYLENE/ALPHA-OLEFIN POLYMERS AS VISCOSITY INDEX IMPROVERS OR GELLING AGENTS

摘要

Substantially linear ethylene polymers, such as ethylene/octene copolymers a nd ethylene/propylene/diene modified polymers, when added in a viscosity modifying amount to an oleaginous material, such as a lubricating oil, provides the material with a viscosity index that exceeds that of the material alone. The substantially linear ethylene polymers, prepared by constrained geometry catalysis, may be grafted with one or more unsaturated organic compounds, such as maleic anhydride, th at contain ethylenic unsaturation. The grafted polymer may be further functionalized by reactions with, for example, an alcohol or an amine compound. The substantially linear ethylene polymers, when subjected to shearing action either before or after addition to an oleaginou s material, improve shear stability of the oleaginous material. The substantially li near ethylene polymers, whether grafted, grafted and furthe r reacted or not, also work as a thickening agent for compositions such as those used in greases, cable filling coumpounds and cosmetics. In addition, the substantially linear ethylene polymers provide effective results when blended with other components of conventional oleaginous material compositions.