| abstract |
Chlorinated and chlorosulfonated polyethylenes are produced by chlorinating substantially linear olefin polymers having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, >/=5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn>/=(I10/I2)-4.63, a critical shear rate at onset of gross melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same I2 and Mw/Mn and at least about 0.01 long chain branches/1000 carbons and a molecular weight distribution from about 1.5 to about 2.5 and their method of manufacture are disclosed. The chlorosulfonated polyethylenes are produced by treating the chlorinated polyethylenes with a mixture of gaseous chlorine and sulfur dioxide. |