Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for printing on a microporous substrate using a laser to melt or soften the substrate so that the pores collapse and produce clear regions on a white background. The preferred substrate is one based on polypropylene where the microvoids are produced by orienting an extruded, precursor sheet that contains the beta crystalline form of polypropylene. A dark co-extruded layer or a pigmented adhesive can be placed on the non-laser treated side of the film, so that the treated side shows the color of the backing layer through the clear regions. This type of printing or laser marking does not require any inks, solvents, or other consumable additives, and the printing can be done at very high production rates and at low cost. The small void size of the film allows for fine print detail and excellent print contrast.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oriented tape yarn produced from an extruded propylene-based polymer sheet or film comprising beta-spherulites in an amount sufficient to produce a K-value of from about 0.1 to about 0.95. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the tape yarns and their use thereof in carpet backing.

Abstract: Improved extruded polypropylene sheets containing a high level of beta crystallinity and a process for making such sheets are disclosed herein. The polypropylene sheets comprise a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of beta spherulites. Uniaxially or biaxially oriented mesh structures produced from the disclosed sheets exhibit lower density, higher strength, and higher torsional rigidity than polypropylene meshes without beta spherulites. Thus, lighter weight mesh structures which meet all of the physical property requirements for end-use applications, such as reinforcing grids to stabilize concrete and soil in civil engineering and landfill applications, are produced. The lighter weight extruded beta-nucleated sheet can also be stretched at higher line speeds, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Improved extruded polypropylene sheets containing a high level of beta crystallinity and A process for making such sheets are disclosed herein. The polypropylene sheets comprise a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of beta spherulites. Uniaxially or biaxially oriented mesh structures produced from the disclosed sheets exhibit lower density, higher strength, and higher torsional rigidity than polypropylene meshes without beta spherulites. Thus, lighter weight mesh structures which meet all of the physical property requirements for end-use applications, such as reinforcing grids to stabilize concrete and soil in civil engineering and landfill applications, are produced. The lighter weight extruded beta-nucleated sheet can also be stretched at higher line speeds, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Beta nucleation agents are used to impart improved properties in polypropylene materials such as sheets and speciality items, for example, geogrids. A convenient way of incorporating beta-nucleating agents into polypropylene used to fabricate an extruded product is through the use of a concentrate. Methods for the manufacture and use, as well as compositions incorporating these concentrates, are described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a concentrate comprising a polypropylene resin and a beta-nucleating agent, wherein the nucleating agent is present in a concentration in the concentrate in a range of from about 0.005% to about 2.0%. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an extruded polypropylene sheet comprising a beta-nucleating agent concentrate in a concentration of between about 0.5% to about 50% by weight of the total polypropylene content. In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a method of manufacture of a beta-nucleating agent/polypropylene concentrate comprising the step of blending a substantially pure beta-nucleating agent with a substantially non-nucleated polypropylene resin to provide a concentration in the concentrate of from about 0.005% to about 2.0%. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a film produced by stretching the sheet.

Abstract: Beta nucleation agents are used to impart improved properties in polypropylene materials such as sheets and speciality items, for example, geogrids. A convenient way of incorporating beta-nucleating agents into polypropylene used to fabricate an extruded product is through the use of a concentrate. A concentrate is defined as a highly loaded, pelletized polypropylene resin containing a higher concentration of nucleating agent then is desired in the final extruded sheet (product). The nucleating agent is present in the concentrate in a range of 0.01% to 2.0% (100 to 20,000 ppm), more preferably in a range of 0.02% to 1% (200 to 10,000 ppm). Typical concentrates are blended with non-nucleated polypropylene in the range of 0.5% to 50% of the total polypropylene content of the extruded product. A preferred range is between 1% and 10% of the total polypropylene content of the extruded product. A preferred concentration range of nucleant in the final geogrid product is 0.0001% to 0.

Abstract: An improved extruded polypropylene sheet that contains a high level of beta crystallinity and a process for making such sheets are disclosed herein. The polypropylene sheet contains at least one layer of a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of beta spherulites. The beta spherulites in the sheet are produced by the incorporation of a beta nucleating agent in the polymer. The presence of the beta spherulites in the sheet facilitates the process of post-stretching the perforated sheet to produce a uniaxially or biaxially oriented mesh structure, and also broadens the temperature range over which this stretching can be performed. The final mesh has a lower density than a polypropylene mesh without beta spherulites.

Abstract: Compositions comprising highly crystalline propylene polymer having an nmr tacticity index of at least 94, wood fiber, and, optionally, a functionalized olefin polymer such as maleated polypropylene exhibit substantial improvement in resistance to moisture and excellent creep properties, particularly at elevated temperatures. Such compositions are particularly useful in providing extruded outdoor building components such as decking.

Abstract: A tough, strong, stiff glass-filled polyolefin composition comprisesa propylene polymer having an nmr tacticity index of at least 94 and a molecular weight distribution of about 7 to 15;a stiffness-enhancing amount of glass fiber;an impact-modifying amount of a plastomer copolymer of ethylene with a C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 alpha-olefin having a density of about 0.865 to about 0.910 g/cc; anda functionalized olefin polymer in a sufficient amount to act as a compatibility agent between polymeric materials and the glass fiber.

Abstract: Polyolefin resin compositions and oriented microporous films prepared from same comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a propylene homopolymer or random propylene copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and components selected from a low molecular weight polypropylene, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent and an inorganic filler, and to processes for forming such films wherein the microporous films have improved breathability, strength, toughness and break elongation.

Abstract: Polyolefin resin compositions and oriented microporous films prepared from same comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a propylene homopolymer or random propylene copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, a low molecular weight polypropylene, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent and an inorganic filler. The microporous films have improved breathability, strength, toughness and break elongation.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermoformable sheet comprising a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, a process for making the sheet and articles thermoformed from the sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions capable of being converted into oriented microporous films having microvoid cells, interconnecting pores between the cells, and improved elongation, softness and tear strength, comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a low flexural modulus propylene-based polymer, a propylene homopolymer or copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, an inorganic filler such as calcium carbonate, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, and optionally, a low molecular weight polypropylene and to microporous films formed from such compositions.

Abstract: Polyolefin resin compositions and oriented microporous films prepared from same comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a propylene homopolymer or random propylene copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and components selected from a low molecular weight polypropylene, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent and an inorganic filler, and to processes for forming such films wherein the microporous films have improved breathability, strength, toughness and break elongation.

Abstract: This invention relates to oriented porous films having cells with polygonal cross sections and average pore diameters of about 5 to about 30 microns and interconnecting pores between the cells which have a diameter of about 0.2 to about 20 microns which are formed from a polypropylene-based resin and a process for forming the film which comprises the steps of forming a film containing beta-spherulites, selectively extracting a portion of the beta-spherulites to form a porous film and stretching the porous film in at least one direction to form the oriented polymeric porous film.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for the determination of the environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of polymer articles made from polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polycarbonate, polystyrene and blends thereof. The method and device involve the external application of stress to an unstressed test article which has been exposed to a stress cracking agent. The stress is induced by means of a weight located below the horizontal plane of the plastic article. The time between the application of stress and the cracking of the test article is measured to compute a characteristic ESCR parameter and thereby evaluate the environmental stress crack resistance of the article.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for the determination of the environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of polymer articles made from polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polycarbonate, polystyrene and blends thereof. The method and device involve the external application of stress to an unstressed test article which has been exposed to a stress cracking agent. The stress is induced by means of a weight located below the horizontal plane of the plastic article. The time between the application of stress and the cracking of the test article is measured to compute a characteristic ESCR parameter and thereby evaluate the environmental stress crack resistance of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous films having pores with polygonal cross sections and average pore diameters of about 3 to about 100 microns and the method for preparing these films. More particularly this invention relates to a porous film having pores with polygonal cross sections and average pore diameters of about 3 to about 100 microns formed from a resinous polymer of propylene and the process for forming the film which comprises the steps of (a) forming a film containing beta-spherulites and (b) selectively extracting the beta-spherulites.