Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi-layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a non-cellular sheet of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into and blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and the blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi- layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: A fluorescent red-orange retroreflective article includes a polymeric matrix and at least one fluorescent dye added in an amount that provides the article with a red-orange color under daytime lighting conditions. The article also includes cube corner elements disposed at a back side of the polymeric matrix. The article can exhibit a retroreflectivity of at least 350 or 500 cd/(lux·m2), and a brightness Y of at least 20, 30, or 35. The article can exhibit a color within a preferred red-orange color space bounded by CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.560, 0.380), (0.580, 0.355), (0.633, 0.366) and (0.610, 0.390).

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective article has a transparent body portion and a layer of internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements having an open air-exposed rear surface at least a portion of which is more hydrophobic, more oleophobic, or both more hydrophobic and more oleophobic than the underlying cube-corner optical element. The article may be made by providing a transparent body portion bearing a layer of internally reflecting open air-exposed cube-corner optical elements; treating or coating at least a portion of the cube-corner elements to make the treated or coated portion more hydrophobic, more oleophobic, or both more hydrophobic and more oleophobic than the underlying cube-corner optical elements; and leaving such treated or coated portion exposed to the open air.

Abstract: A fluorescent red-orange retroreflective article includes a polymeric matrix and at least one fluorescent dye added in an amount that provides the article with a red-orange color under daytime lighting conditions. The article also includes cube corner elements disposed at a back side of the polymeric matrix. The article can exhibit a retroreflectivity of at least 350 or 500 cd/(lux·m2), and a brightness Y of at least 20, 30, or 35. The article can exhibit a color within a preferred red-orange color space bounded by CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.560, 0.380), (0.580, 0.355), (0.633, 0.366) and (0.610, 0.390).

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements and a film comprising a blend of polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that the film is substantially vinyl-like. The articles can be used, for example, in reflective footwear, apparel, safety wear, sweatbands, piping and adornments.

Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.

Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements and a film comprising a blend of polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that the film is substantially vinyl-like. The articles can be used, for example, in reflective footwear, apparel, safety wear, sweatbands, piping and adornments.