Abstract: Provided are novel ethylene acid copolymers, their ionomers and their use in various articles, including packaging films and injection molded articles. The ethylene acid copolymers comprise copolymerized units of ethylene, about 10 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and about 5 to about 15 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferred derivatives include esters, and in particular alkyl esters. These ethylene acid copolymers and ionomers have improved optical properties when compared to conventional ethylene acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers and their ionomers.

Abstract: Provided herein are glass laminates, preferably safety glass laminates, that comprise a polymeric interlayer sheet formed of an acid copolymer composition. The acid copolymer composition comprises an ethylene acid copolymer which, in turn, comprises copolymerized units of ethylene, about 5 to about 90 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and optionally about 2 to about 40 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Optionally, a portion of the carboxylic acid groups of the copolymerized units of the ethylene acid copolymer are neutralized to form carboxylate salts. The acid copolymer composition also includes a hydroxyl-containing crosslinking agent and may also include an adjuvant. The glass laminates have superior resistance to creeping due to the properties of the acid copolymer composition, which may optionally be cross-linked.

Abstract: Provided are novel ethylene acid copolymers, their ionomers and their use in various articles, including packaging films and injection molded articles. The ethylene acid copolymers comprise copolymerized units of ethylene, about 10 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and about 5 to about 15 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferred derivatives include esters, and in particular alkyl esters. These ethylene acid copolymers and ionomers have improved optical properties when compared to conventional ethylene acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers and their ionomers.

Abstract: Provided are novel cross-linked polymers and their use in various materials, including packaging films and injection molded articles. These polymers, which comprise certain hydroxyl-containing crosslinking compounds, as well as optionally adjuvants, show improved creep resistance when compared to conventional ethylene acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers and their ionomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball comprising a cover prepared from an ionomer composition comprising a high acid ionomer comprising about 15 to about 30 weight % of copolymerized units of a C3-8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and about 3 to about 13 weight % of copolymerized units of vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A multilayer polymeric sheet comprising three layers is provided. The two outer layers of the multilayer polymeric sheet comprise an ionomeric composition and are positioned on either side of the inner layer of the multilayer polymeric sheet, which comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composition. Further provided is a laminate comprising the multilayer polymeric sheet, for example, a glass laminate. Preferred laminates exhibit a sound transmission class of greater than 25, as measured by ASTM E314, or an effective stiffness by bending of about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm, as measured by ASTM C158. Also preferably, the laminate has an areal density that is lower than that of a glass monolith of comparable thickness.

Abstract: A lighting device comprising a light emitting diode and a cover comprising an ionomer composition that has improved optical properties. The ionomer composition comprises an ionomer that is produced by partially neutralizing a precursor acid copolymer that has a melt index of about 20 to about 400 g/10 min. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and, based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer, about 12 to about 30 weight % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons.

Abstract: Provided are novel ethylene acid copolymers, their ionomers and their use in various articles, including packaging films and injection molded articles. The ethylene acid copolymers comprise copolymerized units of ethylene, about 10 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and about 5 to about 15 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferred derivatives include esters, and in particular alkyl esters. These ethylene acid copolymers and ionomers have improved optical properties when compared to conventional ethylene acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers and their ionomers.

Abstract: Provided herein are glass laminates, preferably safety glass laminates, that comprise a polymeric interlayer sheet formed of an acid copolymer composition. The acid copolymer composition comprises an ethylene acid copolymer which, in turn, comprises copolymerized units of ethylene, about 5 to about 90 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and optionally about 2 to about 40 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Optionally, a portion of the carboxylic acid groups of the copolymerized units of the ethylene acid copolymer are neutralized to form carboxylate salts. The acid copolymer composition also includes a hydroxyl-containing crosslinking agent and may also include an adjuvant. The glass laminates have superior resistance to creeping due to the properties of the acid copolymer composition, which may optionally be cross-linked.

Abstract: Provided are novel cross-linked polymers and their use in various materials, including packaging films and injection molded articles. These polymers, which comprise certain hydroxyl-containing crosslinking compounds, as well as optionally adjuvants, show improved creep resistance when compared to conventional ethylene acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers and their ionomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball comprising a cover prepared from an ionomer composition comprising a high acid ionomer comprising about 15 to about 30 weight % of copolymerized units of a C3-8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and about 3 to about 13 weight % of copolymerized units of vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate.

Abstract: Provided herein are interlayer sheets formed of an acid copolymer composition, which comprises an acid copolymer resin or an ionomer that is the neutralized product of the acid copolymer resin. The acid copolymer resin comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; about 10 to about 25 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and about 15 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. In addition, the acid copolymer resin has a melt flow rate of about 1 to about 400 g/10 min. Light weight safety laminates comprising these interlayer sheets are characterized by good strength and superior acoustic damping, due to the properties of the acid copolymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell module comprising at least one encapsulant layer which has 1) a total thickness of from about 0.1 to about 20 mils and 2) at least one surface layer made of ionomers containing a finite amount of polymerized residues of ?-olefins and from about 18 to about 25 wt % of polymerized residues of ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids. The present invention also provides a process of manufacturing the solar cell module.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and a sheet comprising at least one layer of a sodium ionomer composition, wherein the sodium ionomer composition consists essentially of a sodium ionomer that is an ionic, neutralized derivative of a precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, wherein about 10% to about 35% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer have been neutralized with sodium ions, and wherein the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer comprises (i) copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and (ii) about 20 to about 25 wt %, based on the total weight of the ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8.

Abstract: An ionomer blend composition comprises a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The first ionomer is derived from a first precursor acid copolymer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min and that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Moreover, the first precursor acid can be neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% to form a sodium ionomer that has a MFR of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is less than about 3.0 j/g or that is not detectable, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A variety of articles may comprise or be produced from the ionomer blend composition, for example by injection molding.

Abstract: A laminate comprises an ionomeric interlayer sheet which, in turn, comprises or is prepared from a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet. The ionomer sheet comprises a first ionomer that is the neutralized product of a first precursor acid copolymer, which, in turn, comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized acrylic or methacrylic acid. The first precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the first precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer sheet may further comprise a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer.

Abstract: A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet comprising a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg; and wherein when about 40% to about 90% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor acid copolymer are neutralized to carboxylate groups to comprise carboxylate groups and counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, the resulting sodium ionomer has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.

Abstract: An ionomer composition comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min; and, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. Further provided are articles comprising the ionomer composition.