Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising first microporous layers constituting at least both surface layers, and at least one second microporous layer disposed between both surface layers, the first microporous layer comprising a first polyethylene resin containing 8% or more by mass of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, the second microporous layer comprising a second polyethylene resin containing 7% or less by mass of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and having a structure in which a pore diameter distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, and the total thickness of the first microporous layers being 15-60% per 100% of the total thickness of the first and second microporous layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a twin screw extruder for preparing a polymeric solution. The extruder includes an elongated housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, an extruder shaft length L and a pair of interconnecting bores disposed within the housing, a pair of elongated extruder shafts, each having an axis of rotation, the pair of elongated extruder shafts disposed within the pair of interconnecting bores and drivable in at least one direction of rotation, a plurality of extruder screw segments positioned along the pair of elongated extruder shafts in a fixed angular relationship therewith, the plurality of extruder screw segments selected to form multiple extruder stages. The invention also relates to a process for extruding a mixture of polymer and diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyolefin membranes and membrane precursors comprising polyethylene and polypropylene. The polyolefin membrane can be a microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first microporous layer and at least one second microporous layers where the first and second layers contain polypropylene and polyethylene, and the amount of polyethylene in the first layer is at least about 80 wt. % and the amount of polyethylene in the second layer is at least about 50 wt. %. The amount of polyethylene is higher in the first microporous layer than in the second microporous layer, and the total amount of the polyethylene in the first and second microporous layers is at least about 61 wt. %, based on the weight of the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane.

Abstract: A process of producing a membrane includes extruding diluent and polymer to form an extrudate, the polymer includes a first polyethylene having an Mw<1.0×106, a second polyethylene having an Mw?1.0×106, and a polypropylene having an Mw?5.0×105 and a ?Hm?80.0 J/g; wherein the sum of the polypropylene having an Mw?5.0×105 and a ?Hm?80.0 J/g and the second polyethylene is ?15.0 wt. % and processing the extrudate into a membrane having a thickness ?12.0 ?m by stretching the extrudate in at least one planar direction at about 108.0 to 116.0° C. after removing the solvent to a magnification factor of ?1.1 and excludes any stretching of the extrudate after removing the solvent at a magnification factor or >1.1 and removing at least a portion of the diluent from the extrudate.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes having a thickness 19.0 micrometer or less, the membranes having a relatively high porosity, air permeability and puncture strength. Such membranes can be produced by extrusion and are suitable for use as battery separator film.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.

Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising first microporous layers constituting at least both surface layers, and at least one second microporous layer disposed between both surface layers, the first microporous layer comprising a first polyethylene resin containing 8% or more by mass of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, the second microporous layer comprising a second polyethylene resin containing 7% or less by mass of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and having a structure in which a pore diameter distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, and the total thickness of the first microporous layers being 15-60% per 100% of the total thickness of the first and second microporous layers.

Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising first microporous layers constituting at least both surface layers, and at least one second microporous layer disposed between both surface layers, the first microporous layer comprising a first polyethylene resin containing 8% or more by mass of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, the second microporous layer comprising a second polyethylene resin containing 7% or less by mass of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and having a structure in which a pore diameter distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, and the total thickness of the first microporous layers being 15-60% per 100% of the total thickness of the first and second microporous layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such membranes, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.

Abstract: A membrane includes a first polyethylene having an Mw<1.0×106, a second polyethylene having an Mw?1.0×106, and a polypropylene having an Mw?5.0×105 and a ?Hm 80.0 J/g; wherein (a) the sum of the amounts of (i) polypropylene having an Mw?5.0×105 and a ?Hm 80.0 J/g, and (ii) the second polyethylene is?15.0 wt. %, the weight percents being based on the total weight of the polymer in the membrane; (b) the membrane has a thickness?12.0 ?m; and (c) the membrane is microporous.

Abstract: A layered microporous polymeric membrane includes a first blend region having a thickness T1, a third blend region having a thickness T3, and a second blend region located between the first and third blend regions and having a thickness T2, wherein [(T1?T2)/T1]?0.05 and [(T3?T2)/T3]?0.05.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyolefin membranes and membrane precursors comprising polyethylene and polypropylene. The polyolefin membrane can be a microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first microporous layer and at least one second microporous layers where the first and second layers contain polypropylene and polyethylene, and the amount of polyethylene in the first layer is at least about 80 wt. % and the amount of polyethylene in the second layer is at least about 50 wt. %. The amount of polyethylene is higher in the first microporous layer than in the second microporous layer, and the total amount of the polyethylene in the first and second microporous layers is at least about 61 wt. %, based on the weight of the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane.