Abstract: A latex or fiber comprising a blend of polymeric materials consisting of one or more &agr;-olefin/ vinylidene monomer non-crosslinked substantially random interpolymers, wherein the distribution of the monomers of said interpolymers can be described by the Bernoulli statistical model or by a first or second order Markovian statistical model, and one or more homopolymers or copolymers of monomer components comprising aliphatic &agr;-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or aliphatic &agr;-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and containing polar groups.

Abstract: A foam comprising a blend of polymeric materials consisting of one or more &agr;-olefin/vinylidene monomer non-crosslinked substantially random interpolymers, wherein the distribution of the monomers of said interpolymers can be described by the Bernoulli statistical model or by a first or second order Markovian statistical model, and one or more homopolymers or copolymers of monomer components comprising aliphatic &agr;-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or aliphatic &agr;-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and containing polar groups.

Abstract: The present invention includes a coextruded film having at least two layers. The first layer contains a coupled propylene polymer and the second layer contains an in-reactor blend of a linear low density polyethylene fraction and a substantially linear polyethylene fraction. Alternatively, the second layer may include a homogeneously branched linear polyethylene. Preferably, the first layer makes up about 50 weight percent or less of the overall coextruded film structure. The first layer may also contain a polyethylene, such as a linear low density polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, a high density polyethylene, substantially linear polyethylene, a homogeneously branched linear polyethylene, an in-reactor blend of linear low density polyethylene and a substantially linear polyethyelene, and blends thereof.

Abstract: A floor, wall or ceiling covering which comprises one or more substantially random interpolymers prepared by polymerizing one or more &agr;-olefin monomers with one or more vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomers, and optionally with other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s). The floor, wall or ceiling covering has a good balance of properties, such as sufficient flexibility and conformability to uneven or contoured surfaces for efficient application to floors, walls, or ceilings, sufficient scratch resistance, sufficient indentation resistance, indentation recovery and/or sufficient abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Sheet materials suitable for use as a floor, wall or ceiling covering material are described which comprise (1) a polymer mixture having (A) at least one homogeneously branched ethylene Polymer (A) having a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, less than 3 and a short chain branching distribution index (SCBDI) equal to or greater than 50 percent obtainable by polymerization of ethylene with at least one C3-C20 &agr;-olefin in the presence of a single site or constrained geometry catalyst; (B) at least one ethylene Polymer (B) having a density at least 0.005 g/cm3 greater than the density of ethylene Polymer (A) and a TREF elution temperature at least 5° C. greater than the TREF elution temperature of ethylene Polymer (A) and, optionally, (C) at least one ethylene Polymer (C) having a density at least 0.005 g/cm3 greater than the density of ethylene Polymer (B) and a TREF elution temperature at least 5° C.

Abstract: A fabricated article other than a film comprising a thermoplastic blend prepared from polymeric materials consisting of; (A) from 1 to 99 weight percent of at least one interpolymer made from monomer components comprising (1) from 0.5 to 65 mole percent of (a) at least one aromatic vinylidene monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one aromatic vinylidene monomer and at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, and (2) from 99.5 to 35 mole percent of at least one aliphatic &agr;-olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; and (B) from 99 to 1 weight percent of at least one polymer made from monomer components comprising at least one &agr;-olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. These articles possess improved properties when compared to the properties of articles derived from the individual polymers comprising the blend.

Abstract: A filled polymer composition which comprisesA) from about 5 to about 90 percent of one or more thermoplastic substantially random interpolymers prepared by polymerizing one or more a-olefin monomers with one or more vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomers, and optionally with other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s), and(B) from about 10 to about 95 percent of one or more inorganic fillers,the amounts of (A) and (B) being based on the total weight of (A) and (B).Fabricated articles made from the filled polymer compositions are useful as sound insulating or energy absorbing films or sheets or as floor, wall or ceiling coverings.

Abstract: The invention includes a blend composition comprising (a) about 1 to about 15 weight percent of amorphous polypropylene (b) about 99 to about 85 weight percent of crystalline polypropylene, wherein the molecular weight of the amorphous polypropylene is lower than the molecular weight of the crystalline polypropylene; the molecular weight (Mw) of the amorphous polypropylene is higher than about 50,000, preferably 100,000 g/mole; the amorphous polypropylene has a MWD less than about 3; and wherein the percentages are based on total amorphous plus crystalline polypropylene. Preferably, amorphous and crystalline polypropylenes are at least about 90 weight percent propylene units. Preferably, the amorphous polypropylene has a glass transition temperature greater than about -10.degree. C. The invention includes processes for preparing compositions of the invention, including a multistage process.

Abstract: A filled polymer composition which comprises(A) from about 5 to about 90 percent of one or more thermoplastic substantially random interpolymers prepared by polymerizing one or more .alpha.-olefin monomers with one or more vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomers, and optionally with other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s), and(B) from about 10 to about 95 percent of one or more inorganic fillers,the amounts of (A) and (B) being based on the total weight of (A) and (B).Fabricated articles made from the filled polymer compositions are useful as sound insulating or energy absorbing films or sheets or as floor, wall or ceiling coverings.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a multilayer foamed flooring and wall product. The inventive product is a resilient cushion foam flooring and wall product that is free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticizers and heavy metal stabilizer. The product is made of a multilayer top layer which is integrated with a latex or polyolefin polymer foam back layer. The product has particular utility in the heterogeneous flooring market and can be prepared using ordinary PVC melt processing equipment.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cellular polymer containing perforated cell windows in the presence of a perforating agent being a substance that has a critical surface free energy of less than about 23 mj/m.sup.2 is disclosed. The cellular polymers obtained according to this invention have a fine cell structure and show enhanced dimensional and thermal insulation stability. The invention also relates to rigid polyurethane foam prepared in the presence of, for example, particulate poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or a liquid polyfluoro- or perfluorocarbon, with a boiling point of at least 130.degree. C., as perforating agent.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate-based foams having a uniformly fine cell size are prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive compound in the presence of a blowing agent mixture comprising a hydrocarbon component which has four or more carbon atoms and a polyfluorocarbon component which has a boiling point of from about 283 K. to about 393 K. at 760 mm Hg and wherein the boiling point:molecular weight ratio of said polyfluorocarbon component is less than or equal to 1.7. The hydrocarbon component is present in from about 5 to about 95 mole percent and the polyfluorocarbon in from about 95 to about 5 mole percent based on total amounts of hydrocarbon and polyfluorocarbon.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cellular polymer containing perforated cell windows in the presence of a perforating agent being a substance that has a critical surface free energy of less than about 23 mJ/m.sup.2 is disclosed. The cellular polymers obtained according to this invention have a fine cell structure and show enhanced dimensional and thermal insulation stability. The invention also relates to rigid polyurethane foam prepared in the presence of, for example, particulate poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or a liquid polyfluoro- or perfluorocarbon, with a boiling point of at least 130.degree. C., as perforating agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cellular polymer containing perforated cell windows in the presence of a perforating agent being a substance that has a critical surface free energy of less than about 23 mJ/m.sup.2 is disclosed. The cellular polymers obtained according to this invention have a fine cell structure and show enhanced dimensional and thermal insulation stability. The invention also relates to rigid polyurethane foam prepared in the presence of, for example, particulate poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or a liquid polyfluoro- or perfluorocarbon, with a boiling point of at least 130.degree. C., as perforating agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to elastomeric polyisocyanate-based polymers, particularly polyurethane elastomeric polymers, prepared from polyol compositions comprising a polyoxyalkylene polyol having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of from about 800 to about 3000 and containing from 10 to 40 weight percent polymerized ethylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide is distributed as a plurality of internal polyoxyethylene blocks having a molecular weight of from about 176 to about 600, and a polyoxyethylene cap use of such polyols. Polyols provides for polymers exhibiting desirable physical properties including good abrasion wear resistance.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing Mannich polyols is disclosed. The process involves capping a Mannich condensate of a phenolic compound or an amino-substituted s-triazine with a small quantity of an alkylene oxide in the absence of an alkylene oxide polymerization catalyst, prior to heating the condensate to elevated temperatures at which polycondensates are formed. The capped Mannich condensate is then alkoxylated to form the desired polyol.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared from a polyisocyanate comprising 4,4'-methylene diphenyldiisocyanate and polyoxyalkylene polyol wherein the polyol has an average functionality of from about 2 to about 4, a hydroxyl equivalent weight of from about 2200 to 3500 and containing oxyethylene residues in from about 40 to about 68 percent by weight; and the use thereof in the manufacturing of flexible polyurethane foam.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of phosphorus-containing compounds, specifically cyclic organophosphorus compounds, as carbodiimidization catalysts in the preparation of open-celled flexible polyurethane foam for the purpose of controlling foam density and providing softer foams. foams that are softer and of lower density can be prepared with significantly reduced quantities of blowing agents in comparison to foams prepared in the absence of such phosphorus-containing compounds. Additionally, use of such catalysts provides for a reduced reaction exotherm during the preparation of the foam thereby minimizing foam discoloration or scorching. Preferred phosphorus-containing compounds are the 1-alkyl-1-oxophospholenes, especially 1-methyl-1-oxophospholene.

Abstract: Closed-cell polyisocyanate-based foams are prepared using a blowing agent mixture containing an organic compound having a boiling point in excess of 65.degree. C. in conjunction with another organic compound having a boiling point below about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a C.sub.2-6 polyfluorocarbon compound containing no chlorine or bromine atoms as physical blowing agent in the preparation of rigid, closed-cell, polymer foams. Use of such blowing agents, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), in the preparation of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams provided for products in which the loss in thermal insulation performance with time compared to products prepared in absence of such blowing agents is reduced.