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: Provided herein are light weight glass laminates having ionomeric interlayers and at least one glass layer. In particular, the weight of the glass laminates is reduced by reducing the thickness of the at least one glass layer to about 2.0 mm or less, or to about 1.5 mm or less. The light weight laminates retain favorable performance properties such as have good Pummel adhesion levels, good moisture resistance, and low stress. Further provided are lightweight glass laminates equipped with integral mounting devices.

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: 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 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: 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.

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 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: 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 sodium/zinc mixed ionomer 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 10 to about 4000 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. Further provided are articles comprising or prepared from the sodium/zinc mixed ionomer.

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: Provided herein are light weight solar cell modules having an ionomeric encapsulant sheet and at least one glass sheet. In particular, the weight of the solar cell modules is reduced by reducing the thickness of the at least one glass sheet to about 2.0 mm or less, or to about 1.5 mm or less. The light weight modules retain favorable performance properties such as good pummel adhesion levels, good moisture resistance, and low stress. Further provided are lightweight solar cell modules equipped with integral mounting devices.

Abstract: Provided herein are light weight glass laminates having ionomeric interlayers and at least one glass layer. In particular, the weight of the glass laminates is reduced by reducing the thickness of the at least one glass layer to about 2.0 mm or less, or to about 1.5 mm or less. The light weight laminates retain favorable performance properties such as have good Pummel adhesion levels, good moisture resistance, and low stress. Further provided are lightweight glass laminates equipped with integral mounting devices.

Abstract: A non-autoclave process of manufacturing a glass laminate comprising: (a) providing an assembly comprising (i) a first rigid sheet layer, and (ii) an interlayer sheet comprising a copolymer comprising units from an alpha olefin and about 17 weight to about 25 weight % of units from an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, groups wherein about 1 to about 100 mole % of the carboxylic acid groups are neutralized with metal ions; and (b) forming the glass laminate from the assembly without use of an autoclave comprising in sequence (i) applying vacuum to the assembly; and (ii) applying heat to the assembly while still under vacuum.

Abstract: The invention describes a polymeric sheet that has at least one layer that comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend that incorporates a partially neutralized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid component and is useful in glass laminate applications. The ionomer or ionomer blend contains one or more monovalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60%, preferably about 10 to about 55%, and more preferably about 15 to about 50%, and one or more polyvalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 99%, preferably about 45 to about 90%, and more preferably about 50 to about 85%. This ratio range of monovalent and polyvalent metal neutralization ions provides synergistically greater adhesion to glass than found for either the monovalent or the polyvalent metal neutralization ions alone.

Abstract: Light concentrating articles capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto a solar cell comprise a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ionomer composition. The light concentrating articles may be made by a variety of processes, which are provided herein, such as for example an injection molding process, an injection overmolding process, an extrusion process, a cast film or sheet process, a blown film or sheet process, a vacuum forming process, a compression molding process, a transfer molding process, or a profile extrusion process. Secondary forming processes, such as bending, stamping, embossing, machining, laminating, adhering, metallizing, and the like may also be used in forming the light concentrating articles.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film or sheet having a thickness of about 1 mil (0.026 mm) to about 20 mils (0.51 mm) containing a surface embossed layer comprising a copolymer of alpha olefin(s) with alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid comonomer(s), ionomers derived therefrom and combinations thereof useful for making solar cell laminates, wherein the surface is embossed with a pattern which provides channels for de-airing, the channels having depth of about 20 microns or less, a width of about 30 microns to about 300 microns and spaced about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm apart, and use thereof in photovoltaic cells and the manufacture thereof.