ETHYLENE alpha -OLEFIN BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

This invention relates to block polymers containing both cristalline and elastomeric blocks, the block copolymer having an A block and a B block. The A block is a polyethylene or an ethylene polymer optionally containing an alpha-olefin and is generally crystalline. The B block contains an ethylene, alpha -olefin copolymer segment and optionally contain an ethylene, alpha -olefin, non-conjugated diene terpolymer segment. If the B block contains a diene containing segment, the diene containing segment is furthest from the junction of the A and the B blocks. Also disclosed is a process for manufacture of the block copolymers and methods for coupling the block copolymers. Coupled block copolymers are useful as thermoplastic elastomers exhibiting physical properties approaching those of cross-linked EP or EPDM elastomers, but showing thermal processability after coupling. The block copolymers of the present invention may also be used as a lubricant or fuel additive, as a plastics blend component, in bitumen blends, as a component in hot melt adhesives and as a component of roof sheeting compounds.