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Ethylene–styrene thermoplastic copolymers prepared with supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts
Author(s) -
Masson P.,
Spitz R.,
Pasquet V.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1993.220040706
Subject(s) - linear low density polyethylene , styrene , natta , materials science , copolymer , ethylene , catalysis , polymer chemistry , polyethylene , reactivity (psychology) , monomer , ziegler–natta catalyst , thermoplastic elastomer , polypropylene , polymer , polymerization , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
The magnesium chloride supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts are able to copolymerize ethylene and styrene in conditions of high activity. Different parameters, including catalyst type, monomer ratio, temperature and Lewis bases, allow variation of the activity and reactivity ratio. The incorporation of styrene in the copolymer remains always rather limited in moles. The products obtained contain less than 20% styrene in weight, and seem very similar in structure to linear low‐density polyethylenes (LLDPE) obtained with the same catalyst: the melting temperature is only about 5°C lower than that of pure polyethylene. The polymer can be fractionated by solvents in a similar manner to LLDPE, and contains a styrene‐enriched fraction, but homopolystyrene production has never been observed.