Rheological properties of olefin block copolymers

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The Dow Chemical Company recently reported the development of a new class of polyolefins, olefin block copolymers, which are thermoplastic elastomers that maintain their elastic properties at elevated temperatures. These unique polymers are made using a novel reaction system that involves two catalysts, one of which makes homopolymer while the second makes copolymer. By varying the level of chain shuttling agent and comonomer content, products with a wide range of properties can be manufactured. The objective of the proposed work is to carry out a complete physical characterization of a carefully designed set of samples. This information is essential for the optimization of the manufacturing process to produce materials having desired processing behavior and product characteristics. The Dow Chemical Company operates major polyolefin manufacturing facilities in Canada the value of whose products will be affected by this work. At the same time, the research group of the applicant will be in a unique position to be the pioneers in the study of the physics of the new polymers having a novel molecular structure, and a doctoral student and postdoctoral researcher will have an opportunity to use the unique tools available at McGill to study an important new class of polymers.