Abstract: Disclosed are oriented, shaped articles such as, for example, film, fibers, bottles, and tubes, with excellent strength, toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, and UV resistance. The articles can be prepared from cycloaliphatic polyesters and from compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and cycloaliphatic polyester elastomers. The articles may be oriented by stretching in at least one direction and have a modulus which results in a soft feel. Also disclosed are polyester compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and polyester elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for the preparation of void-containing articles comprising a polymer matrix and a voiding agent The voiding agent comprises at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer, which are selected on the basis of physical properties such as glass transition temperature, tensile modulus, melting point, surface tension, and melt viscosity. Shaped articles such as sheet, film, bottles, tubes, labels, and sleeves may prepared from these compositions. Also disclosed are polyester shrink films prepared using a voiding agent comprising a novel blend of cellulosic and olefinic polymers. The resulting shrink films have better opacity, lower density, reduced shrink force, and improved printability as compared with most standard voiding agents. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations.

Abstract: Disclosed are layered films having a combination of piezoelectric layers that change dimension with applied voltage and non-piezoelectric layers. The layered structures can form a wide range of electrically switchable optical films. These films have applications in displays, polarizers, optical compensators, aesthetic films, and “hot” and “cold” mirrors that selectively reflect only certain wavelengths. Also disclosed are monochromatic and multicolor displays using these films.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce flame spread within a room by attaching an interior finish compising at least 80 weight percent of a polymer composition to a ceiling, one or more walls, or combination thereof, wherein the interior finish partially or completely detaches from the wall or ceiling upon exposure to the heat of a flame. The polymer composition has certain properties of crystallization half-time, heat release capacity, and char generation and can comprise one or more polymers. The interior finish may detach or partially detach from the ceiling or wall as a result its thermal behavior when exposed to heat or as a result of softening or melting of fasteners. The spacing of the fasteners of the interior finish is dependent on the physical properties of the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are void-containing polyester shrink films which show excellent density retention upon exposures to high temperatures. The films have high shrinkage and retain their low density after processing under conditions of temperature and moisture used in typical recycling processes. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications, and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations. Also disclosed is a process for void-containing polyester shrink films having high shrinkage and low density after exposure to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A crystallization process comprising passing a mass of amorphous crystallizable polymer having a first thickness (ft) through the nip gap of counter-rotating rolls having a nip gap (ng) at an ft:ng ratio of at least 1.2 to crystallize the polymer to a degree of crystallinity of at least 15% and thereby produce a semi-crystalline polymer, and particulating the semi-crystalline polymer. Strain crystallizing a sheet or fiber by using a drafting step to elongate the sheet or fiber is no longer needed. A high degree of crystallinity is imparted almost instantaneously, even in slow to crystallize copolyesters. The process allows one to extrude a thinner crystallizable sheet, substantially retains the dimensional width of the sheet as it is passed through the compression rolls, and produces substantially optically clear sheet and pellets. Suitable polymers include polyethylene terephthalate or naphthalate homopolymers or copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are blends of aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters with poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers and shaped articles prepared therefrom. These blends have higher melt strength than the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester alone and exhibit increased melt strength and better processability. In addition, the blends and shaped articles show bio-disintegration and/or biodegradability in a composting environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are oriented, shaped articles such as, for example, film, fibers, bottles, and tubes, with excellent strength, toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, and UV resistance. The articles can be prepared from cycloaliphatic polyesters and from compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and cycloaliphatic polyester elastomers. The articles may be oriented by stretching in at least one direction and have a modulus which results in a soft feel. Also disclosed are polyester compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and polyester elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester shrink films comprising a voiding agent dispersed within a continuous polyester phase. The voiding agent comprises at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer, in which the polymer components have selected physical properties such as glass transition temperature, melting point, tensile modulus, surface tension, and melt viscosity. The resulting shrink films have high opacity, a low coefficient of friction, lower density, low shrink force, and good printability. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications, and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations. Also disclosed is a process for separating a void-containing polyester from a mixture of polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for the preparation of void-containing articles comprising a polymer matrix and a voiding agent The voiding agent comprises at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer, which are selected on the basis of physical properties such as glass transition temperature, tensile modulus, melting point, surface tension, and melt viscosity. Shaped articles such as sheet, film, bottles, tubes, labels, and sleeves may prepared from these compositions. Also disclosed are polyester shrink films prepared using a voiding agent comprising a novel blend of cellulosic and olefinic polymers. The resulting shrink films have better opacity, lower density, reduced shrink force, and improved printability as compared with most standard voiding agents. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations.