Abstract: A sodium/zinc mixed ionomer comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Further provided are articles comprising or prepared from the sodium/zinc mixed ionomer.

Abstract: An ionomer blend composition comprises a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The first ionomer is derived from a first precursor acid copolymer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min and that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Moreover, the first precursor acid can be neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% to form a sodium ionomer that has a MFR of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is less than about 3.0 j/g or that is not detectable, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A variety of articles may comprise or be produced from the ionomer blend composition, for example by injection molding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-formed bi-layer thermoplastic film or sheet comprising a first surface layer made of acid copolymers, or ionomers, or combinations thereof and a second surface layer made of ethylene acrylate ester copolymers, a solar cell pre-laminate assembly comprising the same, and a simplified process for manufacturing a solar cell module derived therefrom.

Abstract: A non-autoclave process of manufacturing a glass laminate comprising: (a) providing an assembly comprising (i) a first rigid sheet layer, and (ii) an interlayer sheet comprising a copolymer comprising units from an alpha olefin and about 17 weight to about 25 weight % of units from an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, groups wherein about 1 to about 100 mole % of the carboxylic acid groups are neutralized with metal ions; and (b) forming the glass laminate from the assembly without use of an autoclave comprising in sequence (i) applying vacuum to the assembly; and (ii) applying heat to the assembly while still under vacuum.

Abstract: The invention describes a polymeric sheet that has at least one layer that comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend that incorporates a partially neutralized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid component and is useful in glass laminate applications. The ionomer or ionomer blend contains one or more monovalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60%, preferably about 10 to about 55%, and more preferably about 15 to about 50%, and one or more polyvalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 99%, preferably about 45 to about 90%, and more preferably about 50 to about 85%. This ratio range of monovalent and polyvalent metal neutralization ions provides synergistically greater adhesion to glass than found for either the monovalent or the polyvalent metal neutralization ions alone.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved polymeric resin composition comprising or consisting essentially of from about 70 wt % to about 79 wt % units derived from ethylene and from about 21 wt % to about 30 wt % units derived from an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbons. Resins of the present invention are particularly suitable for preparing transparent laminates useful as glazing elements that provide a greater measure of safety than non-laminated glazing elements. Laminates of the present invention have 3% haze or less without the addition of amines.

Abstract: Light concentrating articles capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto a solar cell comprise a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ionomer composition. The light concentrating articles may be made by a variety of processes, which are provided herein, such as for example an injection molding process, an injection overmolding process, an extrusion process, a cast film or sheet process, a blown film or sheet process, a vacuum forming process, a compression molding process, a transfer molding process, or a profile extrusion process. Secondary forming processes, such as bending, stamping, embossing, machining, laminating, adhering, metallizing, and the like may also be used in forming the light concentrating articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic film or sheet comprising two surface layers made of acid copolymers, or ionomers, or combinations thereof and at least one inner layer made of ethylene acrylate ester copolymers, a solar cell module comprising at least one encapsulant layer derived therefrom, and a process of manufacturing the solar cell module.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved polymeric resin composition comprising or consisting essentially of from about 70 wt % to about 79 wt % units derived from ethylene and from about 21 wt % to about 30 wt % units derived from an ?, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbons. Resins of the present invention are particularly suitable for preparing transparent laminates useful as glazing elements that provide a greater measure of safety than non-laminated glazing elements. Laminates of the present invention have 3% haze or less without the addition of amines.

Abstract: An ionomer blend composition comprises a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The first ionomer is derived from a first precursor acid copolymer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min and that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Moreover, the first precursor acid can be neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% to form a sodium ionomer that has a MFR of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is less than about 3.0 j/g or that is not detectable, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A variety of articles may comprise or be produced from the ionomer blend composition, for example by injection molding.

Abstract: A laminate comprises an ionomeric interlayer sheet which, in turn, comprises or is prepared from a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet comprising a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg; and wherein when about 40% to about 90% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor acid copolymer are neutralized to carboxylate groups to comprise carboxylate groups and counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, the resulting sodium ionomer has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.

Abstract: A sodium/zinc mixed ionomer comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Further provided are articles comprising or prepared from the sodium/zinc mixed ionomer.

Abstract: A concentrator solar cell module comprises at least one solar cell and at least one light concentrating article. The at least one light concentrating article is capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto the solar cell(s) and comprises an ionomer composition. The ionomer composition comprises or is produced from an ionomer that has a temperature of onset of creep that is significantly greater than its peak melting temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet comprising an ionomer composition, said ionomer composition comprises a first ionomer that is the neutralized product of a first precursor acid copolymer, wherein, (A) the first precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the first precursor acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of a second ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; (B) the first precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg; and (C) the first precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, produces a sodium ionomer, and said sodium ionomer has a melt flow rate of about 0.

Abstract: An ionomer composition comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min; and, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. Further provided are articles comprising the ionomer composition.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and a sheet comprising at least one layer of a sodium ionomer composition, wherein the sodium ionomer composition consists essentially of a sodium ionomer that is an ionic, neutralized derivative of a precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, wherein about 10% to about 35% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer have been neutralized with sodium ions, and wherein the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer comprises (i) copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and (ii) about 20 to about 25 wt %, based on the total weight of the ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8.

Abstract: A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.

Abstract: A molded article comprises an ionomer composition and has improved optical properties. The ionomer composition comprises an ionomer that is produced by partially neutralizing a precursor acid copolymer ant that has a melt index of about 400 g/10 min or less. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an a-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and, based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer, about 19.5 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons.

Abstract: A non-autoclave process of manufacturing a glass laminate comprising: (a) providing an assembly comprising (i) a first rigid sheet layer, and (ii) an interlayer sheet comprising a copolymer comprising units from an alpha olefin and about 17 weight % to about 25 weight % of units from an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, groups wherein about 1 to about 100 mole % of the carboxylic acid groups are neutralized with metal ions; and (b) forming the glass laminate from the assembly without use of an autoclave comprising in sequence (i) applying vacuum to the assembly; and (ii) applying heat to the assembly while still under vacuum.