Abstract: Crosslinked foams having high filler loadings, which may be formed from A) a polyolefin having a crystallinity of 21 percent or less, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of less than 15 mole percent, or a combination thereof; B) a polyolefin having a viscosity between 500 and 20,000 cP, as measured using ASTM D1084 (Brookfield Viscosity at 350° F.); and C) a filler, wherein the crosslinked foam includes from 10 to 80 parts filler per hundred parts of components A, B, and C, by weight. In other aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, the crosslinked foam may optionally include one or more of: D) at least one polyolefin having a crystallinity of greater than 21 weight percent, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of 15 mole percent or greater, or a combination thereof; and E) a scorch retarder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article formed by impregnating a fibrous structure with a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof; (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and (c) water; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated fibrous structure. The present invention also provides a method of forming a stiffened textile. The method may include the steps of: forming a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof, (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent, and (c) water; impregnating a textile with the compound; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated textile.

Abstract: A process for laminating a substrate, where the process may include: disposing at least one a thermoplastic film on a porous substrate; heat softening the at least one thermoplastic film; conjoining the at least one thermoplastic film and the porous substrate to form a laminated substrate; and cooling the laminated substrate; wherein the conjoining comprises suctioning the thermoplastic film into the porous substrate. An apparatus for laminating a substrate, where the apparatus may include: a system for disposing a thermoplastic film on a tufted substrate; a heater for heat softening the thermoplastic film; and a vacuum for suctioning the thermoplastic film into the tufted substrate.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises at least an ethylene/?-oleiln interpolymer and at least one other polymer. The other polymer can be selected from a second ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer, an elastomer, a polyolefin, a polar polymer, and an ethylene/carboxylic acid interpolymer or ionomer thereof. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block interpolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Also provided are gaskets, bottle cap liners, and closures that comprise or obtained from a compositon comprising at least one ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer and at least one polyolefin. The gaskets are capable of compression sealing various containers, without contaminating the contents. Liquid containers particularly benefit from the use of the novel gasket materials disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyolefin-based heat sealable and peelable seal. The peelable seals comprise from 5 to 98 percent by weight of a propylene based plastomer or elastomer and from 2 to 95 percent by weight of a second polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polybutylene, and styrenic polymer and mixtures thereof. The invention also relates to tamper evident peelable seals. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the heat sealable, peelable seal.

Abstract: The present invention is an article of construction formed from an article adhesively-bonded to a layering material through (a) reactive coupling of a functionalized nitroxide or (b) the adhesion of components in a polymer matrix made from or containing a polymer, an organic peroxide, and a functionalized nitroxide. The initial article may be expanded. The initial article may be expanded. It may also be polar or nonpolar. Similarly, the layering material may be polar or nonpolar. Other embodiments of the present invention are described, including other articles and methods for preparing the articles.

Abstract: The present invention is a crosslinkable, expandable polymeric composition comprising a free-radical crosslinkable polymer, a free-radical inducing species, a crosslinking-profile modifier, and a blowing agent. Preferably, the free-radical inducing species is a low temperature free-radical inducing species.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved free-radical crosslinking process and free-radical crosslinking polymer compositions. The improved process delivers hotter processing conditions, faster crosslinking, or increased crosslinked densities. The crosslinkable polymeric composition comprises (1) a free-radical crosslinkable polymer, (2) a free-radical inducing species, and (3) a crosslinking-temperature-profile modifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article formed by impregnating a fibrous structure with a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof; (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and (c) water; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated fibrous structure. The present invention also provides a method of forming a stiffened textile. The method may include the steps of: forming a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof, (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent, and (c) water; impregnating a textile with the compound; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated textile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soft touch fibers and nonwoven fabrics made from such fibers. The fibers comprise an incompatible polymer system which leads to the soft touch quality. The fibers comprise a mixture of at least two thermoplastic polymers each having different viscosities and wherein the mixture has an interfacial tension from about 0.5 to about 20 mN/m, and wherein the mixture comprises a portion of the fiber surface. The fibers may include from 40-98 percent of a polyolefin continuous phase and from 2 to 60 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplast dispersed phase, such as polystyrene or polyamide.

Abstract: Foamable compositions and foams comprise at least an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer. The foam has a density from greater than 150 to about 500 kg/m3. The foamable compositions further comprise a blowing agent and a crosslinking agent. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymers are a multi-block copolymer comprising at least one soft block and at least one hard block. Methods of making the foamable compositions and foams; and foamed articles made from the foams are also described.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises at least an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer and at least one other polymer. The other polymer can be selected from a second ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer, an elastomer, a polyolefin, a polar polymer, and an ethylene/carboxylic acid interpolymer or ionomer thereof. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block interpolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Also provided are gaskets, bottle cap liners, and closures that comprise or obtained from a compositon comprising at least one ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer and at least one polyolefin. The gaskets are capable of compression sealing various containers, without contaminating the contents. Liquid containers particularly benefit from the use of the novel gasket materials disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable film compositions and processes for producing such compositions. The breathable films comprise a polyolefin continuous phase and a polystyrene dispersed phase. Said films are useful in many applications including diapers and other personal hygiene devices.