Easy Processing Metallocene Polyethylene

Abstract

A new family of metallocene polyethylene (mPE) has an outstanding combination of processability, toughness and stiffness. It provides an opportunity to downgauge and improve extrusion output in applications where blends of conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (ZN-LLDPE) and high pressure low density polyethylene (HP-LDPE) are currently used. The processability of this new product was found to be significantly better than that of ZN-LLDPE and comparable to that of ZN-LLDPE/HP-LDPE blends. Its film properties are substantially better than blends of ZN-LLDPE and HP-LDPE. Its dart impact strength is 60% better than that of a comparable ZN-LLDPE product.