Abstract: Low level irradiation of narrow molecular weight distribution, linear, low density ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer sufficient to introduce crosslinks into the copolymer but insufficient to provide for significant gelation produces improved copolymer rheology providing superior film fabrication.

Abstract: Described herein are disposable articles made from a water soluble polymer or a substrate made from such polymer, a surface of said article or substrate coated with a degradable water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: Described herein are disposable articles made from a water soluble polymer or a substrate made from such polymer, a surface of said article or substrate coated with a degradable water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: There are provided orthopedic casts, splints, and the like, for use on a portion of a human or animal body, which are produced from a crosslinked copolymer of a lactone monomer and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. The crosslinked copolymer, in the form of a sheet, web, bandage, etc., and, optionally, a supportive substrate, is heated above the softening point of the copolymer, manipulated to conform to the body portion, and cooled to a rigid state.In one embodiment, there is provided a bandage material, convertible to a rigid, porous, light-weight orthopedic cast, which comprises a substrate in the form of a netting, having on the surface of its strands a coating of the aforementioned crosslinked copolymer. The bandage material is heated to a temperature at which the crosslinked copolymer is soft and self-adherent and is then wrapped around the body portion in a series of overlying layers so as to conform to the contours of the body portion.

Abstract: There are provided orthopedic casts, splints, and the like, for use on a portion of a human or animal body, which are produced from a crosslinked copolymer of a lactone monomer and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. The crosslinked copolymer, in the form of a sheet, web, bandage, etc., and, optionally, a supportive substrate, is heated above the softening point of the copolymer, manipulated to conform to the body portion, and cooled to a rigid state.In one embodiment, there is provided a bandage material, convertible to a rigid, porous, light-weight orthopedic cast, which comprises a substrate in the form of a netting, having on the surface of its strands a coating of the aformentioned crosslinked copolymer. The bandage material is heated to a temperature at which the crosslinked copolymer is soft and self-adherent and is then wrapped around the body portion in a series of overlying layers so as to conform to the contours of the body portion.

Abstract: There are provided orthopedic casts, splints, and the like, for use on a portion of a human or animal body, which are produced from a crosslinked copolymer of a lactone monomer and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. The crosslinked copolymer, in the form of a sheet, web, bandage, etc., and, optionally, a supportive substrate, is heated above the softening point of the copolymer, manipulated to conform to the body portion, and cooled to a rigid state.In one embodiment, there is provided a bandage material, convertible to a rigid, porous, light-weight orthopedic cast, which comprises a substrate in the form of a netting, having on the surfaces of its strands a coating of the aforementioned crosslinked copolymer. The bandage material is heated to a temperature at which the crosslinked copolymer is soft and self-adherent and is then wrapped around the body portion in a series of overlying layers so as to conform to the contours of the body portion.

Abstract: Thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a lactone monomer, such as epsilon-caprolactone, and a polyfunctional acrylate, such as neopentyl glycol diacrylate. The copolymer can be crosslinked by exposure to ionizing or actinic radiation or by free-radical peroxide catalysts. The degree of crosslinking can be controlled to produce a material which is thermoplastically processable and displays modified rheological properties which make it more easily processable than the corresponding lactone homopolymer.

Abstract: Novel blends comprising biodegradable thermoplastic dialkanoyl polymer, e.g., poly(alkylene adipate), and additional material such as naturally occurring biodegradable product, e.g., tree bark; and to the novel shaped articles therefrom. In one aspect, the invention is directed to novel shaped containers fabricated from material comprising biodegradable thermoplastic dialkanoyl polymer, said containers possessing a germination medium, and optionally, a seed or seedling in such medium.

Abstract: Blends comprising biodegradable thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer, e.g., epsilon-caprolactone polymer, and naturally occurring biodegradable product, e.g., tree bark. These novel blends are useful in the production of shaped articles such as mulch film, transplanter containers, package containers, and the like.