Comparative study of copolymerization and terpolymerization of ethylene/propylene/diene monomers using metallocene catalyst

(Ind)2ZrCl2 catalyst was synthesized and used for copolymerization of ethylene and propylene (EPR) and terpolymerization of ethylene propylene and 5‐ethyldiene‐2‐norbornene (ENB). Methylaluminoxane (MAO) was used as cocatalyst. The activity of the catalyst was higher in copolymerization of ethylene and propylene (EPR) rather than in terpolymerization of ethylene, propylene and diene monomers. The effects of [Al] : [Zr] molar ratio, polymerization temperature, pressure ratio of ethylene/propylene and the ENB concentration on the terpolymerization behavior were studied. The highest productivity of the catalyst was obtained at 60°C, [Al] : [Zr] molar ratios of 750 : 1 and 500 : 1 for copolymerization and terpolymerization, respectively. Increasing the molar ratio of [Al] : [Zr] up to 500 : 1 increased the ethylene and ENB contents of the terpolymers, while beyond this ratio the productivity of the catalyst dropped, leading to lower ethylene and ENB contents. Terpolymerization was carried out batchwise at temperatures from 40 to 70°C. Rate time profiles of the polymerization were a decay type for both copolymerization and terpolymerization. Glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the obtained terpolymers were between −64 and −52°C. Glass transition temperatures of both copolymers and terpolymers were decreased with increased ethylene content of the polymers. Dynamic mechanical and rheological properties of the obtained polymers were studied. A compounded EPDM showed good thermal stability with time. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011