Abstract: Disclosure are films based on alkoxysilane-containing polyolefin resins with reduced melt strength, photovoltaic cell laminate structures and methods for their preparation. In the disclosed alkoxysilane-containing polyolefin resin films according to the invention, reduced melt strength is provided by, among other things, using optimized silane:initiator ratios and is shown to reduce detrimental film shrinkage and provide improved photovoltaic laminate structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for controlling the amount of crosslinking in polyolefin based articles such as fibers or films. The invention relates to mixing silane grafted material together with ungrafted material prior to crosslinking. The article can then be formed and cured, optionally with a curing catalyst which can preferably be applied to the surface of a shaped article. The amount of crosslinking will be controlled in part by the level of silane grafting on the grafted silane material as well as the amount of the grafted material in the blend.

Abstract: Methods for devolatilizing polymer solutions have been invented which include, in certain aspects, dissolving a viscous polymer in a solvent forming a polymer-solvent solution, introducing the polymer-solvent solution into a thermal dryer, heating or cooling the polymer-solvent solution in the thermal dryer forming product polymer with solvent removed and separated solvent (which may include other residuals), the separated solvent with other residuals if present vaporizing in the thermal dryer forming a vapor, removing the vapor from the thermal dryer, and discharging product polymer from the thermal dryer.