Enhanced processability of LLDPE by addition of ultra-high molecular weight density polyethylene

A film formed from a composition comprising:

• 1) About 99.5 wt % to about 99.75 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) comprising a copolymer of ethylene and one or more C3 to C40 alpha-olefins and produced in a gas phase reactor, slurry reactor, solution reactor, or a combination thereof, the LLDPE having:
• a density of about 0.91 g/cm3 to about 0.94 g/cm3;
• a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 5 dg/min or less;
• a composition distribution breadth index greater than or equal to 60%;
• an Mw of about 20,000 g/mol to less than about 500,000 g/mol;
• a melt strength of about 10 mN or greater;
• a g′vis of about 0.97 or more;
• and
• an Mw/Mn of about 1.8 to about 6.0;
• and
• 2) about 0.25 wt % to about 0.5 wt % of a high density linear ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) comprising a copolymer of ethylene and one or more C3 to C40 alpha-olefins and having:
• an Mw of about 500,000 g/mol or more;
• an Mw/Mn of about 4.0 to about 7.0;
• a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 to about 0.97 g/cm3;
• and
• a g′vis of about 0.97 or more;
• wherein the composition:
• has a shear thinning index at 190° C. between 4.0 and 11.0;
• and
• has a strain hardening ratio at 150° C., 0.1 s−1 of about 1.5 or more;
• and
• the film having:
• a machine direction Elmendorf Tear greater than about 150 g/mil to 250 g/mil;
• and
• a Dart Drop (Phenolic A) greater than about 400 g/mil to 550 g/mil.

A method of making a composition, comprising blending:

• 1) About 99.5 wt % to about 99.75 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) comprising a copolymer of ethylene and one or more C3 to C40 alpha-olefins and produced in a gas phase reactor, slurry reactor, solution reactor, or a combination thereof, the LLDPE having:
• a density of about 0.91 g/cm3 to about 0.94 g/cm3;
• a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 5 dg/min or less;
• a composition distribution breadth index greater than or equal to 60%;
• an Mw of about 20,000 g/mol to less than about 500,000 g/mol;
• a melt strength of about 10 mN or greater;
• a g′vis of about 0.97 or more;
• and
• an Mw/Mn of about 1.8 to about 6.0;
• and
• 2) about 0.25 wt % to about 0.5 wt % of a high density linear ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) comprising a copolymer of ethylene and one or more C3 to C40 alpha-olefins and having:
• an Mw of about 500,000 g/mol or more;
• an Mw/Mn of about 4.0 to about 7.0;
• a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 to about 0.97 g/cm3;
• and
• a g′vis of about 0.97 or more;
• wherein the composition:
• has a shear thinning index at 190° C. between 4.0 and 11.0;
• and
• has a strain hardening ratio at 150° C., 0.1 s−1 of about 1.5 or more;
• and
• when formed into a film produces a film having:
• a machine direction Elmendorf Tear greater than about 150 g/mil to 250 g/mil;
• and
• a Dart Drop (Phenolic A) greater than about 400 g/mil to 550 g/mil.