General Description NTR-973 is a new chromium-based catalyst developed by Shanghai Nartrin Chemical Company that was designed for large-part blow molding HDPE applications.  It runs well in both gas phase and slurry technologies, yielding high activity, superior melt index potential, good comonomer incorporation, and high production rates.  The polymers produced are excellent for drums, fuel tanks, and other large containers.  The resins are distinguished by their high resistance to impact, good environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), and their outstanding processing (molding) performance, which yields smooth clean surfaces.  NTR- 973 is specifically designed to run in slurry technologies, yielding high production rates as a result of:             1) A high melt index potential so that ethylene concentrations can be high.            2) superior settling efficiency.            3) lower power consumption to maintain circulation.             4) The catalyst activity is quite high, beyond that of standard Cr/silica catalysts, so that costs are reduced and the polymer is very clean.  Similar advantages for NTR-973 also become obvious in gas phase technologies.  The activity is again quite good in comparison to other Cr/silica catalysts, the melt index potential is high, and the hydrogen response is more sensitive than that of other catalysts. The polymer produced from NTR-973 is distinguished by its high resistance to impact, especially at low temperature, which is very important in the manufacture of fuel tanks, drums, and other large part containers.  Environmental stress crack resistance is also very high.   The NTR-973 catalyst produces rheological characteristics that render excellent molding performance.  Such resins produce smooth satin surfaces during blow molding at low head pressure.    Typical NTR-973 Characteristics            Cr (wt %, dry)                                                   1.0-1.2%            Surface Area, SA (BET, m2/gm)                       470-530            Pore Volume (N2 P/P0 0.993,  cc/gm)             2.2-2.5     Particle Size Distribution (Malvern)            D10 (10th Percentile – PS um)                             25            D50 (50th Percentile – APS um)                         130            D90 (90th Percentile – PH um)                           285            Activity (kg PE/kg Cat)                                   6,000-8,000   Recommended Applications NTR-973 is specially developed for applications in loop-slurry and gas-phase processes to produce resin grades that are typically made for large part blow-molding applications, including fuel tanks, fuel storage containers, drums and other large-part blow molded containers.Such resins exhibit exceptionally high impact resistance, good environmental stress crack resistance, and outstanding molding behavior to produce smooth container surfaces.  The resins are especially clean, resulting in superior color, without defects.