Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: An electrically shielded article includes a flexible and/or elongatable substrate and a conductive ink applied over at least a portion of the substrate. The conductive ink includes a resin and a conductive material. When the conductive ink is applied over the substrate, the conductive material in the conductive ink is present over the substrate in an amount of at least 5 g/m2. The electrically shielded article exhibits a signal loss of at least 5 dBm at up to 4 mm according to the NFC Detuning Test. A method of preparing an electrically shielded article and an identification device including the electrically shielded article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise: (a) a polyolefin matrix, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and (d) a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, optionally the at least one taggant being unique to an end user for the microporous material, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material including a polyolefin matrix material; finely divided, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix material, where the filler includes a positive amount of titanium dioxide; a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material; and optionally, a contrasting enhancing amount of a contrast enhancing material. The sum of the weight percent of the titanium dioxide and the weight percent of the optional contrast enhancing material is at least 3 weight percent based on total weight of the microporous material. Multilayer articles having a layer of the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer article including at least one layer of microporous material including: (a) a polymeric matrix including a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. At least one layer of the multilayer article includes at least one of a data transmission device, electronic circuitry, antenna, or magnetic material.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a microporous sheet material of a polymeric matrix of polyolefin, with finely divided and substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The method includes: (a) forming a mixture of polyolefin, filler and a processing plasticizer composition; (b) extruding the mixture to form a continuous sheet; and (c) contacting the continuous sheet with a non-flammable extraction fluid composition to extract the processing plasticizer composition from the continuous sheet. The extraction fluid has a boiling point of 75° C. or less, and is essentially free of trichloroethylene. The microporous sheet material has Tensile Strength equal to or greater than 800 kPa. A microporous sheet material also is provided.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material including a polyolefin matrix material; finely divided, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix material, where the filler includes a positive amount of titanium dioxide; a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material; and optionally, a contrasting enhancing amount of a contrast enhancing material. The sum of the weight percent of the titanium dioxide and the weight percent of the optional contrast enhancing material is at least 3 weight percent based on total weight of the microporous material. Multilayer articles having a layer of the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, optionally the at least one taggant being unique to an end user for the microporous material, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise: (a) a polyolefin matrix, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and (d) a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microporous materials comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix comprising a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: A microporous material is provided in the form of a singly extruded microporous sheet having opposing first and second surfaces, comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix component comprising: (i) 25 to 75 weight percent of low melt flow index polypropylene having a melt flow index ranging from 0.1 to 30 grams/10 minutes; (ii) 12.5 to 25 weight percent of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and (iii) 0 to 62.5 weight percent of high density polyethylene; (b) a finely divided, inorganic filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix; and (c) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material. The sheet typically has a thickness ranging from 3 to 8 mils and a stiffness of greater than 1 g/micron. In certain embodiments, the sheet has a density of greater than 0.75 g/cc. Also provided are multi-layer articles.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a microporous sheet material of a polymeric matrix of polyolefin, with finely divided and substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The method includes: (a) forming a mixture of polyolefin, filler and a processing plasticizer composition; (b) extruding the mixture to form a continuous sheet; and (c) contacting the continuous sheet with a non-flammable extraction fluid composition to extract the processing plasticizer composition from the continuous sheet. The extraction fluid has a boiling point of 75° C. or less, and is essentially free of trichloroethylene. The microporous sheet material has Tensile Strength equal to or greater than 800 kPa. A microporous sheet material also is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material including (a) a polyolefin matrix which contains ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin having a molecular weight greater than 7 million grams per mole and 30 to 80 weight percent high density polyolefin, (b) finely divided particulate filler having a density ranging from 2.21 to 3.21 grams per cubic centimeter distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The microporous material has a density ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 g/cc, a Sheffield smoothness of less than or equal to 40, and an air flow rate of 1000 or more Gurley seconds. Printed electronic devices prepared from and methods of making the microporous material also are provided.