Abstract: Ionizing radiation crosslinkable pressure sensitive adhesive precursors containing hydrocarbon tackifiers and having an acid content of no more than 3% by weight. The precursors can be exposed to a source of ionizing radiation, for example, one or both of an electron beam or gamma radiation, for an exposure time sufficient to receive an energy dose sufficient to at least partially crosslink the adhesive precursor, thereby forming a pressure sensitive adhesive. Methods of using ionizing radiation to crosslink a crosslinkable pressure sensitive adhesive precursor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of (co)polymerizing ethylenically-unsaturated materials, including the steps of providing a non-deaerated mixture of free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material in a batch reactor, exposing the non-deaerated mixture to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material, and allowing the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to (co)polymerize under essentially adiabatic conditions while continuing to expose the mixture to the source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to yield an at least partially (co)polymerized (co)polymer. The ethylenically-unsaturated materials are selected from vinyl-functional monomers, vinyl-functional oligomers, vinyl-functional macromers, and combinations thereof. The mixture is preferably free of thermally-induced or UV-induced free radical polymerization initiators.

Abstract: Methods of forming an adhesive composition including the steps of (a) combining a non-deaerated mixture comprising at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material with a sealable packaging, wherein the packaging contains the non-deaerated mixture; (b) sealing the non-deaerated mixture in the packaging to form a sealed packaging; and (c) exposing the non-deaerated mixture in the sealed packaging to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to form an adhesive composition in the sealed packaging. The (co)polymerization takes place essentially non-adiabatically.

Abstract: There is provided a controlled degradation fiber and methods of making such controlled degradation fiber, wherein at least one first material and at least one second material are selected such that the fiber has a weight loss of greater than 6 wt. % and less than 60 wt. % based on the total weight of the fiber after one week at 130° C. in the presence of water.

Abstract: Methods of forming an adhesive composition including the steps of (a) combining a non-deaerated mixture comprising at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material with a sealable packaging, wherein the packaging contains the non-deaerated mixture; (b) sealing the non-deaerated mixture in the packaging to form a sealed packaging; and (c) exposing the non-deaerated mixture in the sealed packaging to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to form an adhesive composition in the sealed packaging. The (co)polymerization takes place essentially non-adiabatically.

Abstract: Methods of (co)polymerizing ethylenically-unsaturated materials, including the steps of providing a mixture of free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material in a mold, exposing the mixture in the mold to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material, and allowing the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to (co)polymerize in the mold while continuing to expose the mixture to the source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to yield an at least partially (co)polymerized (co)polymer. The ethylenically-unsaturated materials are selected from vinyl-functional monomers, vinyl-functional oligomers, vinyl-functional macromers, and combinations thereof. The mixture is preferably free of thermally-induced or UV-induced free radical polymerization initiators.

Abstract: Methods of (co)polymerizing ethylenically-unsaturated materials, including the steps of providing a non-deaerated mixture of free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material in a batch reactor, exposing the non-deaerated mixture to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material, and allowing the free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to (co)polymerize under essentially adiabatic conditions while continuing to expose the mixture to the source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to yield an at least partially (co)polymerized (co)polymer. The ethylenically-unsaturated materials are selected from vinyl-functional monomers, vinyl-functional oligomers, vinyl-functional macromers, and combinations thereof. The mixture is preferably free of thermally-induced or UV-induced free radical polymerization initiators.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a degradable material comprising (a) from about 60 weight percent to about 97 weight percent of a first material based on the total weight of the degradable material, and (b) from about 3 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of a second material based on the total weight of the degradable material, where the second material is an oligomer comprising lactate and giycolate. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a degradable material comprising (a) poly lactic acid, and (b) an oligomer comprising lactate and giycolate, wherein the degradable material has a Tg less than 56° C. In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a degradable material comprising (a) poly lactic acid, and (b) an oligomer comprising lactate and giycolate, wherein the degradable material has a tan delta peak of less than 65° C.

Abstract: There is provided self-degrading fibers, and methods of making and methods of using such self-degrading fibers.

Abstract: There is provided controlled degradation fibers, and methods of making such controlled degradation fibers.

Abstract: A composition that includes polylactide resin and plasticizer, the plasticizer having a chemical formula: wherein R may be the same or different and wherein at least one R is a branched alkyl group having a carbon chain length of C5 or greater; and R is an H or an acyl group. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for providing an semicrystalline polylactide film, the process including the steps of providing a polylactide composition that includes polylactide resin, nucleating agent, and the foregoing plasticizer. The composition is extruded as a molten sheet which is then cooled to crystallize the polylactide and provide the film.

Abstract: A method for forming a polylactide film includes the steps (a) through (c). In step (a), a treated tool surface is provided with a release coating. The treated tool surface is maintained at a predetermined temperature of about the glass transition temperature of the polylactide or higher. In step (b) the treated tool surface is contacted with a molten polylactide composition to provide a polylactide film The film is at least partially crystalline, and the crystallinity of the polylactide film is enhanced due to exposure of the molten polylactide composition to the treated tool surface at the predetermined temperature. In step (c) the polylactide film is removed from the treated tool surface. Additionally, a film is provided that is made by the foregoing method, and the film may be formed into an article or a part of an article. In some cases, the article is a disposable garment such as a diaper.

Abstract: A film, and method of producing, wherein the film (4) comprises crystalline polylactide, wherein the film is continuous and has an embossed, structured surface (5,6) comprising structure (s) in the form of a negative imprint of a tool roll structured surface, and function wherein the structure (s) of the embossed, structured surface are retained upon heating the film of up to 130° C.