Abstract: A method of producing a microporous membrane comprising the steps of: extruding a polymer at a temperature of from (polymer melting point +10° C.) to (polymer melting point +100° C.); drawing the extruded polymer at a rate of 5˜120 m/min in 10˜150° C. to obtain a polymer film; annealing the polymer film at a temperature of from (polymer melting point −100° C.) to (polymer melting point −5° C.) for 10 seconds to 1 hour; irradiating both surfaces of the annealed polymer film with an ion-particle amount of 102˜1020 ion/cm2 energized at 10−2˜107 KeV, at an irradiating distance of 5˜100 cm under a vacuum of 10−2˜10−[torr; cold stretching the irradiated polymer film at a temperature of from −20° C. to (polymer melting point −40° C.); hot stretching the cold stretched polymer film at a temperature of from (polymer melting point −40° C.) to (polymer melting point −5° C.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polypropylene film is described. The n-heptane-insoluble content of the film has a chain isotacticity index, measured by 13-C-NMR spectroscopy, of at least 95%. In particular, the film should have the lowest possible shrinkage (transverse shrinkage and longitudinal shrinkage) at elevated temperatures. In addition, a process for the production of the polypropylene film and its use is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric has a spinning mechanism having a plurality of nozzles for extruding filaments, and a conveyor for collecting and delivering the extruded filaments. Between the spinning mechanism and the conveyor, there are disposed a high-speed air stream generating mechanism for generating a high-speed air stream to carry the filaments extruded from the nozzles to attenuate the filaments, and an air stream vibrating mechanism for periodically changing the direction of the high-speed air stream in the machine direction of the conveyor.

Abstract: Polyethylene solutions are extruded through a multi-orifice spinneret into a cross-flow gas stream to form a fluid product. The fluid product is stretched at a temperature at which a gel will form at a stretch ratio of at least 5:1 over a length of less than about 25 mm with the cross-flow gas stream velocity at less than about 3 m/min. The fluid product is quenched in a quench bath consisting of an immiscible liquid to form a gel. The gel is stretched. The solvent is removed from the gel to form a xerogel and the xerogel product is stretched in at least two stages to produce a polyethylene yarn characterized by a tenacity of at least 35 g/d, a modulus of at least 1600 g/d and a work to break of at least 65 J/g. The yarn is further characterized by having greater than about 60% of a high strain orthorhombic crystalline component and, optionally, a monoclinic crystalline component greater than about 2% of the crystalline content. Composite panels made with these yarns exhibit excellent ballistic resistance, e.

Abstract: A process for orienting and drawing multiple-layer thermoplastic materials, in particular of a tubular type, wherein a tube exiting from a heating tunnel is brought up to an orienting temperature of a first material having the highest orienting temperature, while the material of the remaining layers is still in a plastic state. The first material is subjected to a first partial drawing process, while the remaining layers plastically deform to follow its expansion. The temperature of the tube is dropped to the orienting temperature of a second layer and a second layer is drawn, while at the same time continuing to draw the previous layer. Steps of dropping the temperature and drawing the second layer are repeated for the subsequent layers, until the maximum allowable degree of drawing is achieved for each layer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a polyester film excellent in rigidity, toughness, dimensional stability, electric properties, etc. and less in thickness fluctuation and surface defects, hence very suitable as a film for various industrial materials such as magnetic recording media, capacitors, heat transfer ribbons and thermal mimeographic stencil paper. The first method of the present invention is a method for producing a polyester film, in which a film made of a resin mainly composed of a polyester is simultaneously biaxially stretched by a simultaneously biaxially stretching tenter oven, comprising the step of effecting small-ratio stretching at an area stretching ratio of 1.0005 to 3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a high modulus and a low shrinkage polyester multifilament yarn of 1000 deniers or more at a spinning rate of 2,000 m/min or more, comprising the steps of: melt-extruding polyester chips having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.90 to 1.2 through a spinning nozzle and passing polyester chips through a heating zone; quenching melt-extruded yarns with the use of a radial in-to-out quenching method to solidify them; and providing spin finishes to solidified yarns before winding. The industrial polyester multifilament yarns have a coefficient of variation of 4.0% or less in a cross sectional diameter of filaments, and excellent uniformity of fineness. Treated cords formed from the industrial polyester multifilament yarns with high modulus and low shrinkage have an excellent dimensional stability and tenacity, and can be used as reinforcements of rubber goods such as tires.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film comprising a core layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film; and a first skin layer comprising a silicone grafted polymer, wherein the first skin layer is exterior to the core layer.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer resin film having excellent oxygen gas barrier properties, particularly even at high humidity, and further having no chlorine content. The multi-layer resin film of the present invention has a biaxially-stretched polypropylene resin film, an adhesive layer formed on at least one surface of the polypropylene resin film, and a polyvinyl alcohol resin layer formed on the adhesive layer, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol resin layer has a value of crystallinity parameter (CP (M//) ⊥) not less than 0.8. The multi-layer resin film of the present invention can be prepared by forming an adhesive layer on at least one surface of an unstretched polypropylene resin film; stretching the film in one direction; forming a polyvinyl alcohol resin layer on the adhesive layer; and stretching the film in another direction perpendicular to the direction of previous stretching.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a biaxially oriented high quality polyester film excellent in thermal dimensional stability and clarity and also excellent in productivity, and also to provide a production process thereof. Another object is to provide a biaxially oriented polyester film greatly improved in the practical properties respected in various applications of the polyester film, such as the recording track shift in magnetic recording tape application, curling in magnetic recording card application, dimensional change during process in printing plate application, printing shift in ribbon application, thermostability in capacitor application, and perforation sensitivity and low temperature curling in heat-sensitive mimeograph stencil application.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of adhesive tape, by preparing a raw material of a biaxially or non-drawn, film or sheet on the back surface of which a release agent has been applied and to the which an adhesive agent has been applied, and subjecting the raw material to uniaxial drawing under heated conditions without deteriorating releasing and adhesive performance of the raw material, thus producing an adhesive tape having high-strength and low-elongation. The obtained adhesive tape has long and narrow bubbles elongated in the uniaxial drawing direction thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-whiteness, biaxially oriented polyester film with at least a base layer made from polyester. The base layer of the polyester film of the invention also comprises from 2 to 60% by weight of a cycloolefin copolymer (COC), from 0.1 to 25% by weight of a white pigment, and, if desired, from 0 to 5% by weight of an optical brightener, based on the weight of the base layer. The glass transition temperature of the COC here is to be within the range from 70 to 270° C. The film is particularly suitable for packing foods or other consumable items which are sensitive to light and/or to air, or for use in industry, e.g. for producing hot-stamping foils or as a label film, or for image-recording papers, printed sheets, or magnetic recording cards, or for processing on high-speed machinery for winding, metallizing, printing or laminating.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester sheet by dropping a molten polyester sheet extruded from an orifice-form nozzle on a cooling roll having the grooves of a large number of micro-cracks formed on the surface, closely adhering it to the cooling roll and solidifying it on the cooling roll, wherein

Abstract: A multi-layered stretched resin film comprises a base layer (A) comprising more than 90 wt % of a polyolefinic resin and less than 10 wt % of an inorganic fine powder and/or an organic filler; and an amorphous resin-containing layer (B), comprising 0 to 85 wt % of a second polyolefinic resin, which may be the same or different than the first polyolefinic resin, and 15 to 100 wt % of an amorphous resin. The amorphous resin-containing layer (B) is disposed on at least one side of the base layer (A), and has a porosity of 5% or less. Such multi-layered stretched resin films are resistant to waving or curling caused by exposure to the vehicle component of offset printing inks during offset printing, and therefore have excellent printing properties.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially stretched film is provided, in which the method comprises, stretching a film made mainly of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of 15 to 70 mol % and a saponification degree of 80 mol % or more under heating; cooling the film; and subjecting the cooled film to a heat treatment; wherein a heating temperature during the stretching is 60 to 160° C., a cooling temperature is a temperature 30 to 100° C. lower than the heating temperature during the stretching, and a temperature for the heat treatment is 150 to 190° C. The thus obtained biaxially stretched film of the present invention has a small bowing coefficient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film which comprises at least 80% by weight of thermoplastic polyester and also comprises an amount in the range from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a specific pigment system. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film. The film can be used as a packaging film, or for metalizing or ceramic coating, and in applications in the industrial sector, as a substrate for stamping foils.

Abstract: A moisture-crosslinkable polyolefin material, comprising a silane-grafted polyolefin blend, and coatings or insulations, including heat-shrinkable coatings and insulations, prepared therefrom. The coating material is formed by a process comprising: (a) reacting a pre-blended mixture of polyolefin and polypropylene, or higher polyolefin, resins and optional compatibilizing agent, with an appropriate silane and silane-grafting initiator to produce a silane-modified polyolefin blend composition; (b) forming the coating or insulating material by melt processing the composition produced in step (a) with a silanol condensation catalyst; and (c) crosslinking the formed coating or insulating material by exposing it to moisture, preferably at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An aliphatic polyester composition for a masterbatch which is improved in dispersibility of a filler, anti-blocking property, transparency, molding stability and slipperiness and which is suited for production of an aliphatic polyester film, and a method for producing an aliphatic polyester film using said composition. An aliphatic polyester composition for a masterbatch comprising 100 parts by weight of an aliphatic polyester and 0.1 to 40 parts by weight of an anti-blocking agent and a method for producing an aliphatic polyester film using said composition are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an opaque, white film with a thickness of from 10 to 500 &mgr;m whose principal constituent is a crystallizable thermoplastic. The film comprises at least barium sulfate and at least one optical brightener. The barium sulfate and/or the optical brightener are incorporated directly into the crystallizable thermoplastic or are fed as a masterbatch during film production. At least one surface of the film bears a functional coating with a thickness of from 5 to 100 nm, in order to confer on the film surface an additional function such as sealability, printability, metallizability, sterilizability, antistatic properties, aroma barrier properties or improved adhesion to materials which would not adhere to the film surface without the coating, for example photographic emulsions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat shrinkable polyester film whose hot water shrinkage along its main shrinkage direction is equal to or greater than 20% when the film is put in hot water of 70° C. for 5 sec; 35% to 55% when put in hot water of 75° C. for 5 sec; and 50% to 60% when put in hot water of 80° C. for 5 sec, wherein the compressive strength of the label formed by the film satisfies a following expression (1): Y>X2.2  (1) where y denotes compressive strength (mN) and x denotes film thickness (&mgr;m).

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-sided mat, sealable, biaxially oriented polyester film with at least a base layer (B), a sealable cover layer (A) and an additional mat cover layer (C), where the sealable cover layer (A) has a minimum sealing temperature of 120° C. maximum and a seal-seam strength of at least 1.3 N/15 mm film width and where the topographies of the sealable cover layer (A) and the mat shimmering cover layer (C) have certain characteristics. The film according to this invention is suitable for the use as flexible packaging material, especially when used in connection with fast-running packaging machines.

Abstract: Undesired and unforeseeable shrinkage may occur in a tube of plastic material containing optical fibres following its manufacture, especially during storage when the tube is wound on a reel. As a result, there may be uncontrollable variations of the ratio between length of the tube and length of the optical fibre contained therein (“excess fibre variation”). A method and equipment for limiting the excess fibre variations in a plastic tube, by stretching the tube by a predefined amount during manufacturing are described. The present invention also relates to a plastic tube subjected to a predefined stretching, a cable made of such a tube and the equipment suitable for manufacturing such a tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented polypropylene film which has good processing performance and, after it has been metallized or oxidically coated, is a very good barrier to oxygen, and which is composed of at least a base layer, wherein the planar orientation delta p of the film is greater than 0.0138.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of producing a biaxially stretched polyester film with regulating casting conditions of a polyester film at a high speed so as not to induce surface defects caused by entrapping air microbubbles between a cooling drum and a molten resin sheet, and regulating longitudinal stretching conditions and lateral stretching conditions. The biaxially stretched polyester film is excellent in small thickness variation, resistance to cleavage and improvement in bowing phenomenon, and is particularly suitable for the support of a photographic film.

Abstract: A dyed polyester film comprising a B/A/B′ type laminate structure wherein B and B′ are clear polyester layers not containing a dye additive or a sublimate forming material and having a thickness LB and LB, and a glass transition TgB and TgB, A is a dyed polyester layer containing a dye additive and having a thickness LA and a glass transition temperature TgA; wherein the polyester in B, B′ and A is poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), polyesters containing sulfonate groups, copolymers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), or copolymers of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate). A method of producing the dyed polyester film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material. The body is deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular, unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-layered or multi-layered biaxially-oriented film, which mainly consists of a crystallizeable thermoplastic polyester and which has a total thickness ranging from 4 to 25 &mgr;m. The film which is provided with a magnetic coating has a skew value of ≦1. The invention also relates to a process for the production of this film which comprises the melting of the thermoplastic polyester in an extruder, extruding it through a flat-film die (slot die), and chilling it thereafter in order to obtain a prefilm. The prefilm is then stretched, the stretched film is thermofixed and the thermofixed final film is seamed and wound up. After the winding process the film roll is, submitted to an aging process.

Abstract: A compact in-line high-speed apparatus and method for producing thermoplastic synthetic fibers includes a melt spinning device with a spinning block and a tow drawer; wherein the spinning block has at least one extruder, at least one spinneret block, and heating devices, and the tow drawer draws fibers spun from the spinning block as a bundled tow. Also provided is a drawn tow accumulating device equipped with at least two tow feeding rolls and a tow accumulating conveyer, wherein the tow feeding rolls feed the tow obtained from the tow drawer onto the tow accumulating conveyer, and the tow accumulating conveyer accumulates the tow fed from the tow feeding rolls. A high-speed tow stretching device is used for stretching tie tow supplied from the drawn tow accumulating device at high stretching speed.

Abstract: A polyester film is disclosed, exhibiting a minimum value of not more than 0.15 with respect to the tan &dgr; value obtained at a frequency of 0.01 Hz within the range of 100 to 160° C., the tan &dgr; being determined in a tensile viscoelasticity measurement. A photographic support and photothermographic material using this polyester film are also disclosed, which exhibits superior dimensional stability even when subjected to thermal development at a high temperature and little roll set curl when used in a roll form.

Abstract: The present invention improves the bowing phenomenon of a biaxially stretched polyester film which comprises stretching the longitudinally stretched cast film laterally at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the polyester film from by 5° C. to by 50° C., staying the laterally stretched film in an intermediate zone for a period from 3 to 30 seconds which has been controlled at a temperature from higher than the lateral stretching temperature by 20° C. or more to lower than a heat setting temperature by 20° C. or less, and then heat-setting at the heat setting temperature which is lower than the melting point of the polyester film from by 30° C. to by 5° C.

Abstract: A method of biaxially stretching a polymeric film along an overbias stretch profile having the steps of (a) imparting a sufficiently high temperature to the film to allow a significant amount of biaxial stretch; and (b) biaxial tenter stretching the film to a final first direction stretch parameter and a final second direction stretch parameter, wherein at least 75% of the final first direction stretch parameter is attained before no more than 50% of the final second direction stretch parameter is attained, and wherein the final first direction stretch parameter is no greater than the final second direction stretch parameter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for inline producing a biaxially oriented releasing film by consecutively orienting a non oriented film (polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene) in the machine or transverse direction one by one which comprises coating at least one side of a film in a state prior to biaxial orientation with an addition reaction type silicone based releasing agent (e.g. solvent type), preferably incorporated with a photosensitizer; biaxially orienting the film; thereafter heat annealing the same; and subsequently performing ultraviolet ray irradiation. The process enables easy production of the releasing film which is excellent in releasability, non-migration property of silicone, and productivity, and which is well suited for use in the production of pressure sensitive adhesive labels and tapes, ceramic green sheets, synthetic leather, etc.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn in which the plastics material comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method comprises heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is formed into a bulk continuous filament yarn by a process including: (a) melt-spinning poly(trimethylene terephthalate) at a temperature within the range of about 240 to about 280° C. to produce a plurality of spun filaments; (b) cooling the spun filaments; (c) converging the spun filaments into a yarn; (d) drawing the yarn at a first draw ratio within the range of about 1.01 to about 2 in a first drawing stage defined by at least one feed roller and at least one first draw roller, each of said at least one feed roller operated at a temperature less than about 100° C. and each of said at least one draw roller heated to a temperature greater than the temperatures of said at least one feed roller and within the range of about 50 to about 150° C.; (e) subsequently drawing the yarn at a second draw ratio of at least about 2.

Abstract: A method for preparing industrial polyester fibers involving melt-spinning polyester chips through a nozzle, oiling the resultant filaments with an aqueous emulsion oiling agent, and producing, from the filaments, multifilament yarn at a speed of 2000-3300 m/min.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn includes heating the material to melt it and pumping the melted material through an extrusion die (114) to form an extruded filament (116). The extruded filament is cooled and passed through a first draw roller assembly (122) while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament (116) is heated in a heating zone (126) as it exits the first draw roller assembly. Thereafter the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly (134) operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly (122). The filament (116) is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly (134).

Abstract: A method of biaxially stretching a polymeric film according to an overbias or overstretch stretch profile to a final first direction stretch parameter and a final second direction stretch parameter to provide a film having uniform properties. First, a sufficiently high temperature is imparted to the film to allow a significant amount of biaxial stretch. The film is then biaxially tenter stretched to a peak first direction stretch parameter that is at least 1.3 times the final first direction stretch parameter wherein the final first direction stretch parameter is no larger than the final second direction stretch parameter. Finally, the film is retracted in the first direction from the peak first direction stretch parameter to the final first direction stretch parameter to produce a film having uniformity of properties in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly oriented aramid fiber with high tensile strength, high tensile modulus and low breakage elongation by spinning liquid crystal polymers such as aramids and drafting the polymer in or adjacent to a first coagulating bath. A polymer solution with concentration of 4-24 weight % is extruded as a stream into a non-coagulating fluid, and the stream is stretched in the non-coagulating fluid and passed through a first coagulating bath where it is drafted by using a drafting roller, so that the polymer concentration of the flue is increased sufficient to form fibers. As a result, a highly oriented aramid fiber with tensile strength of 1500-5000 MPa, tensile modulus of 200-500 GPa, and the % elongation of 0.8-1.4 is provided.

Abstract: A polymeric film and method for making the film. Mixing a structural material with a secondary material to form a unitary mixture prior to processing forms the film. For a printable film, the secondary material is a printable material. The unitary mixture is extruded and heated so as to cause the printable material to bloom to the surface of the mixture. The result is a film that is stiffer and that lays flatter than prior multi-layered films that were prone to curling. The rollers used to stretch the film during this heat-setting stage are preferably very smooth so as to enhance the transverse-direction strength and stiffness of the film. In another embodiment of the invention, the secondary material is a clarity-enhancing material that may be styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The blend combination is a suitable replacement for polyvinyl chloride films in that it is soft, conformable, flexible and clear.

Abstract: An oriented multi-layer film comprised of a core layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed substantially isotactic propylene polymer, a first additional layer on a side of the core layer, and a second additional layer on a side of the core layer which side is opposite to the side having the first additional layer. In one embodiment of the invention, the core layer includes a polymerized alicyclic hydrocarbon such as polyterpene.

Abstract: A polyolefin porous material is produced by synthesizing silica particles, polysiloxane particles or crosslinked vinyl polymer particles having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 0.1 &mgr;m in a molten polyolefin to obtain a polyolefin composition. The polyolefin composition is subsequently subjected to molding and stretching to obtain a polyolefin porous material. The obtained polyolefin porous material contains fine particles dispersed therein, substantially without forming agglomerates, and has an average pore diameter of 0.005 to 0.1 &mgr;m. The small pore diameter allows the material to be used as a liquid/liquid separation membrane, a base material for precision filtration, or a separator for batteries.

Abstract: A polyolefin shaped article having high strength and high modulus is efficiently manufactured without a need to accompany a process of removing a flow modifier or the like. A method is characterized as including the steps of melt forming a composition principally containing 100 parts by weight of high-density polyolefin, such as high-density polyethylene, and 1-30 parts by weight of a polymerizable monomer or oligomer having a preferred affinity for the high-density polyolefin into a sheet or film, calendering and stretching the sheet or film, and then polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or oligomer incorporated in the sheet or film.

Abstract: A method for stretching plastic nets and grids having the peculiarity that it consists in subjecting the product to be stretched to irradiation with electromagnetic waves with a wavelength above the infrared range, so as to heat the product by dielectric loss, and in subjecting the product to traction in order to produce stretching in at least one direction. The method allows to substantially improve the ability of the polymer to absorb the energy in order to profitably perform the stretching process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a polyester film containing a incompatible polymer, comprising: using a vented twin-screw extruder having a material feed port and vents in the cylinder, and melt-extruding a substantially undried polyester together with a polymer incompatible with said polyester, which melt-extruding is conducted under the condition that the content of said incompatible polymer is not less than 1 wt % based on the total output based on unit time (kg/hr), and the total output Q, extruder screw speed N (rpm) and cylinder bore D (mm) satisfy the following formula 2.6×10−6×D2.8≦Q/N≦15.8×10−6×D2.8.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin film which allows a biaxially oriented polyester film to be formed at a high speed of 400 m/min or more. In the method, a molten thermoplastic resin film is brought into contact with a cooling medium, to be cooled and solidified, for producing a cast film. The method is characterized by keeping the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position at not lower than the glass transition temperature and not higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin. The apparatus is characterized by a cooling medium having a heater and a cooler to ensure that the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position is kept at the requisite temperature, and by a surface temperature of the cooling drum in the region immediately before the film leaving position being maintained lower than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A process for producing a fluoroplastic drawn molded article is disclosed in which a fluoroplastic molded article is brought into contact with a heating medium set at a temperature exceeding the static melting point of the molded article and drawn at a temperature at which the molded article does not substantially melt. The fluoroplastic drawn molded article produced in accordance with the present invention is significantlly improved in physical properties such as tensile strength and tensile modulus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer; a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The thermoplastic composition is useful in making multicomponent fibers or nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Abstract: A method of making the a multilayer, biaxially oriented, heat shrinkable thermoplastic film includes a layer having between 50 and 100 parts by weight ethylene/alpha-olefin C4-C12 copolymer, and between 0 and 50 parts by weight of a polymer selected from polyolefin, and modified polyolefin, the layer having more than one melting point when detected by diffential scanning calorimetry according to ASTM D-3418; wherein the total thickness variation in the multilayer film is lower than ±10%.

Abstract: There is disclosed the provision of a plastic film for covering soil for use in cropping or covering a frame for greenhouse effect. At least part of the plastic film has been stretched beyond its yield point prior to application. In alternative forms, the film undergoes a secondary stretch to form a predetermined pattern of weakness in certain localized areas of the film. The film may be photodegradable and biologically degradable to accelerate decomposition of the film when exposed to the elements.