Abstract: A co-extruded laminate of at least one layer of an ionomer and at least one layer of an acid polymer that can be thermoformed with a plastic substrate such as a polyolefin. The laminate can be pigmented to eliminate the need to paint the surface of the plastic substrate. Articles can be formed from the laminated substrate such as automotive parts and sporting equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various compositions that have particular utility in automotive components, including compositions that include: (a) polypropylene having a melting point of 110° C. or more; (b) ethylene a-olefin polymer in which the ?-olefin is C4 or higher; and (c) propylene polymer, having 60 wt % or more units derived from propylene, including isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences and a heat of fusion less than 45 J/g.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a composition formed from (a) 50 wt % to 85 wt % of at least one impact copolymer relative to the total weight of the composition, the impact copolymer comprising up to 25 wt % of an ethylene-propylene rubber, the rubber having a content of ethylene-derived units of from 40 wt % to 60 wt % relative to the rubber; and (b) 50 wt % to 15 wt % of at least one plastomer relative to the total weight of the composition, wherein the plastomer is a copolymer of ethylene derived units and at least one of C3 to C8 ?-olefin derived units from 5 wt % to 30 wt % of the plastomer. The composition is useful for automotive components, especially interior automotive components such as airbag covers, the composition having a secant flexural modulus of at least 50 kpsi (345 MPa) and 100% ductility down to ?40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new backing layers and/or new substrates for making (1) new multilayer structures formed from one or more ionomers and one or more tie-layers, and optionally a new backing layer to form laminates, (2) new composite articles made from these laminates in combination with optional new substrate materials, and (3) new methods of making composite articles from these laminates by shaping and subsequently contacting them with a substrate material.

Abstract: Hetero phase polymer compositions are described. The compositions may have polypropylene component, a modifier component and a compatibilizer component. The modifier component may in some embodiments be an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer with a density ≧0.905 g/cm3. In other embodiments the modifier component may be a blend of a copolymer with a density of ≧0.905 g/cm3, and an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer of lower, more traditional density.

Abstract: The present invention includes a laminate and formation of a laminate having at least one layer of an ionomer and at least one layer of an acid polymer or blend of acid polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin that can be thermoformed to form a shaped laminate. The shaped laminate can then be contacted with a plastic substrate such as a thermoplastic polyolefin to form a composite article by such means as, for example, injection molding. The laminate can be pigmented to eliminate the need to paint the surface of the plastic substrate. Impact and scratch resistant articles can be formed from the laminated substrate such as automotive parts, appliance body parts and sporting equipment.

Abstract: Hetero phase polymer compositions are described. The compositions may have polypropylene component, a modifier component and a compatibilizer component. The modifier component may in some embodiments be an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer with a density≧0.905 g/cm3. In other embodiments the modifier component may be a blend of a copolymer with a density of ≧0.905 g/cm3, and an ethylene &agr;-olefin copolymer of lower, more traditional density.

Abstract: A laminate structure having at least one layer of an ionomer resin (a) and at least one layer of an acid polymer or a blend of an acid polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin (b) that can be thermoformed to form a shaped article and additional polyolefin substrate can be provided. The laminate can be pigmented to eliminate the need to paint the surface of the plastic substrate. The laminate is useful in the production of automotive parts and sports equipment.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions having improved processabillity while maintaining good physical properties are prepared from a mixture of olefinic rubber and a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate in the range of from about 0.5 to about 5 dg/min. and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of greater than 5.5 up to about 20. The rubber component of the mixture may be at least partially cured by dynamic vulcanization.

Abstract: A polymeric material suitable for fabrication into an article and particularly a polymeric material suitable for fabrication into an article suitable for receiving paint is provided. The polymeric material may be a blend of impact copolymer and plastomer. The impact copolymer includes between 95 and 78 wt % homopolypropylene and between 5 and 22 wt % of ethylene-propylene rubber, wherein ethylene propylene rubber may have less than about 50 wt % ethylene. The plastomer may be an ethylene/hexene plastomer. The ethylene/hexene plastomer may have a density in the range from 0.88 to 0.915 g/cc and a melt index (dg/min) from 0.8 to 10. The impact copolymer may be present in the blend in a range of 95 to 70 wt % and the ethylene/hexene plastomer may be present in the blend in a range from 5 to 30 wt %. The propylene, ethylene and hexene components may be present in the blend in respective ranges of 73.2 to 84.2 wt %, 14.3 to 23.1 wt % and 1.5 to 3.7 wt %.

Abstract: Heat sealed articles and heat sealable films comprising a polymer blend of a first polymer having a narrow molecular weight and composition distribution and a second polymer having a broad molecular weight distribution and composition distribution. The articles and films have significantly improved physical characteristics and remarkably low heat seal initiation temperatures, high seal strength, high hot tack and therefore provide improved processibility and higher line speeds on commercial heat sealing equipment.

Abstract: A grafted and/or functionalized macromolecule comprises entanglement-inhibited architecture wherein the polymer exhibits reduced melt viscosity. In one embodiment, the macromolecule comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atom and a para-alkylstyrene, wherein a grafted macromonomer such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution is attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene such that entanglement of adjacent chains in the melt are inhibited. In addition to distributed macromonomer grafts, other functionality may be attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene to introduce other desirable properties such as radiation curability. In another embodiment the macromolecule comprises a polymer of one or more simple olefinic monomers wherein a macromolecule is attached to pendent functionality and/or copolymerized into the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A grafted and/or functionalized macromolecule comprises entanglement-inhibited architecture wherein the polymer exhibits reduced melt viscosity. In one embodiment, the macromolecule comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atom and a para-alkylstyrene, wherein a grafted macromonomer such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution is attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene such that entanglement of adjacent chains in the melt are inhibited. In addition to distributed macromonomer grafts, other functionality may be attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene to introduce other desirable properties such as radiation curability. In another embodiment the macromolecule comprises a polymer of one or more simple olefinic monomers wherein a macromolecule is attached to pendent functionality and/or copolymerized into the polymer backbone.