Abstract: An elastic breathable film is disclosed. The film is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer that contains a filler. Once the film is formed, the film is stretched causing the formation of micropores. The thermoplastic elastomer then undergoes phase separation between hard segment blocks and soft segment blocks which restores elasticity to the film. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic necked-bonded material including at least one necked material joined to at least one elastic sheet. The composite elastic necked-bonded material is stretchable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of constriction or necking of the necked material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a composite elastic necked-bonded material by extruding a film of substantially molten elastomer through a die tip; depositing the extruded elastomeric film onto a tensioned, necked material within from about 0.1 to about 1 second of exiting the die tip to form a multilayer material; and then immediately applying pressure to the multilayer material to bond the tensioned, necked material to the elastomeric film.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic nonwoven web containing a coherent matrix of fibers formed from an extrudable blend composed of an elastomeric A-B-A-B tetrablock copolymer where A is a thermoplastic polymer block and where B is an isoprene monomer unit hydrogenated to substantially a poly(ethylene-propylene) monomer unit. The elastic nonwoven web adapted to have an elastic modulus of less than about 1.25 which is locally constant during elongation of the web up to about 250 percent. The elastic nonwoven web may also include at least one type of nonelastic fibers and/or particulate materials distributed within or on the matrix of elastomeric fibers. The elastic nonwoven web may be incorporated into a multilayer material and/or may be a component of a composite elastic material in which the elastic web is joined to a gatherable layer at spaced apart locations so that the gatherable layer is gathered between the spaced-apart locations.

Abstract: An extrudable elastomeric composition including an elastomeric A-B-A' block copolymer where A and A' are each a thermoplastic polymer endblock and where B is a conjugated diene monomer unit having a low degree of residual ethylenic unsaturation; a polyolefin; and an effective amount of a transition metal compound which is substantially uniformly distributed in the blend containing the polyolefin and block copolymer so that the extrudable elastomeric composition is adapted form an elastic sheet that is degraded after less than about 30 days continuous exposure to a thermally oxidative environment. The transition metal compound may be a salt or complex of cobalt and/or manganese and is added in an amount that will provide at least about 0.01 percent, by weight, of the transition metal in the extrudable composition.

Abstract: A laminate which is elastic in at least one direction, includes an elastic sheet having at least one nonelastic nonwoven web joined thereto at least at two areas. The nonelastic web is gathered between the two areas. The elastic sheet is formed from a polyetherester and the nonelastic nonwoven web includes spunlaced hydraulically entangled polyester fibers. The nonelastic nonwoven web may also include rayon or wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite elastic material comprises stretching an elastic web to elongate it, for example, elongating a nonwoven web of meltblown elastomeric fibers, and bonding the elongated web to at least one gatherable web, such as a spunbonded polyester fiber material, under conditions which soften at least a portion of the elastic web to form the bonded composite web of elastic material. The composite material is relaxed immediately after the bonding to prevent the elastic web from losing its ability to contract from the stretched dimensions which it assumed during the bonding step. Such immediate relaxation of the composite material after the bonding step results in the elastic web retaining its ability to contract so that, upon termination of the elongating force, the elastic web contracts to form gathers in the gatherable web.

Abstract: A laminate which is elastic in at least one direction, includes an elastic sheet having at least one nonelastic nonwoven web joined thereto at least at two areas. The nonelastic web is gathered between the two areas. The sheet is formed from an aromatic polyetherurethane and the nonelastic nonwoven web includes spunlaced hydraulically entangled polyester fibers. The nonelastic nonwoven web may also include rayon or wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: Compositions which are effective in stabilizing polymers against the deteriorative effects of heat are provided comprising (1) an organic antimony compound or mixture of organic antimony compounds and (2) an organic compound or mixture of organic compounds having an aromatic ring which is substituted with hydroxy (--OH) and mercapto (--SH) groups ortho to each other. Also provided are polymer compositions containing said stabilizers and articles of manufacture made from said stabilized polymer compositions.

Abstract: Compositions which are effective in stabilizing polymers against the deteriorative effects of heat are provided comprising (1) an organic tin compound or mixture of organic tin compounds and (2) an organic compound or mixture of organic compounds having an aromatic ring which is substituted with hydroxy (--OH) and mercapto (--SH) groups ortho to each other. Also provided are polymer compositions containing said stabilizers and articles of manufacture made from said stabilized polymer compositions.

Abstract: There is disclosed an acid and disperse dyeable polyolefin composition consisting essentially of from about 80-98% by weight of a polyolefin, from about 1-10% by weight of a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone polymer having a moisture regain, measured at 37.8.degree. C and 98% relative humidity, of at least 10% and a ratio of mole fraction of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone units in the polymer to moles of water regained for 100 g of polymer of from greater than 0:1 to about 0.3:1, and from about 1-10% by weight of a polyamide having tertiary amine nitrogen atoms, ##STR1## where all three carbon atoms are saturated, said polyamide being normally a solid at 22.degree. C, melting at a temperature of 235.degree. C or below, and having a structure number, N, as defined herein, of from 10-18. At least 25 mole % of all units in the polyamide have a basic tertiary amine nitrogen atom.