Abstract: Novel carboxylic acid polyesters, and mixtures thereof, are useful as plasticizers such as for polyvinylchloride compositions. These polyesters and the other components of the mixtures are prepared from bio-renewable sources.

Abstract: Flame-retardant compositions of a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyolefin, and a flame retardant are disclosed. The compositions are essentially free of plasticizers from the group consisting of: citrates; non-halogenated phthalates (e.g., di-2-ethyl-hexyl, di-n-octyl, dioctyl, diisooctyl, diisodecyl, dibutyl, dihexyl, or diheptylnonyl); bisphthalates; benzoates; trimellitates; pyromellitates; azelates; polymeric plasticizers based on adipic, azelaic, or sebacic acids and glycols such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene, with either alcohol or monobasic acid termination (e.g., benzoate diester of 2,2,4-trimethyl pentanediol or triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate); epoxies; esters of dibasic acids (e.g., aliphatic ester adipates such as dioctyl adipate, aliphatic ester sebacates such as dioctyl sebacate); alkyl sulfonate esters; aliphatic hydrocarbons; aromatic hydrocarbons; alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons; butyl phthalyl butyl glycollate; isobutyrate; dipentaerythritol esters; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Compositions of a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyolefin which is the metallocene-catalyzed reaction product of ethylene and an alpha-olefin monomer, and a component selected from the group consisting of chlorinated polyethylene, polycaprolactone, and combinations thereof are disclosed. The compositions are essentially free of liquid plasticizers, and prossess good mechanical properties of tensile strength, elongation, and a low brittle point, even after being subjected to high heat for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayered, resilient flooring containing a multicolored pattern is disclosed. The method includes applying a multiplicity of pigmented, thermoplastic microbeads to a top surface of a thermoplastic base layer to form a pattern layer on the base layer, which typically remains sufficiently hot so that it is molten or tacky when the microbeads are applied. The base layer and pattern layer can be covered with a substantially transparent material to form a clear top layer. The base layer can be formed by melting a dry blend comprising polyvinylchloride (PVC) to produce a molten PVC output, shaping the molten PVC output into a smooth PVC sheet of uniform thickness. The microbeads can be applied to the base layer using a stencil. The multiplicity of microbeads can include microbeads of two or more colors. Preferably, the microbeads are approximately spherical and have an average diameter between 0.002″ and 0.040″.