Abstract: Disclosed is an expanded polypropylene copolymer resin particle whose base resin is a polypropylene random copolymer resin having a melting point of not more than 145° C., the base resin having a H/W ratio of not more than 8 where H (%) is a maximum height of an elution peak and W (° C.) is a peak width at half a height of the peak in an elution curve obtained from a differential value of eluted content measured by cross fractionation chromatography, and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and a number-average molecular weight (Mn) being not less than 3.5 in a molecular weight distribution measurement of a whole of eluted components. With such an expanded polypropylene copolymer resin particle, it is possible to provide expanded polypropylene copolymer resin particles which are capable of producing an in-mold expansion-molded article with a low molding heating vapor pressure, and which causes few deformation or shrinkage of an obtained in-mold expansion-molded article (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of a blowing agent in the form of of nanoparticles of an inorganic carbonate, and an acid. The acid is capable of being liquefied by heating to be reactive with the carbonate to release carbon dioxide that is useful as a blowing agent in all types of organic foams. The blowing agent, optionally pelletized in a suitable polymer carrier, is useful as a heat-activated blowing agent additive in polymer compositions.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition is provided, which comprises A) from 30 to 90% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer, B) from 10 to 70% by weight of microcapsules with a capsule core made of latent-heat-accumulator material and a polymer as capsule wall, where the latent-heat-accumulator material has its solid/liquid phase transition in the temperature range from ?20° C. to 120° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a sheet for a sealing member of a solar cell, wherein the sheet has significantly low thermal shrinkage and high flexibility, and a superior capability of discharging bubbles during the manufacture of a solar cell module. The method for preparing a sheet for a sealing member of a solar cell according to the present invention comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a thermal adhesive resin having an olefin-based resin as a main component; (b) pulverizing the thermal adhesive resin and dispersing the resin powder; and (c) heating the thermal adhesive resin powder at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the resin powder so as to prepare a sheet having a plurality of voids.

Abstract: Melt-blown fiber (MBF) comprising a propylene copolymer (PP), wherein the melt-blown fiber (MBF) and/or the propylene copolymer (PP) has/have (a) a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) measured according to ISO 1133 of at least 300 g/10 min, (b) a comonomer content of 1.5 to 6.0 wt.-%, the comonomers are ethylene and/or at least one C4 to C12 ?-olefin, (c) <2,1> regiodefects of more than 0.4 mol.-% determined by 13C-NMR spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method of producing a silane cross-linked polyethylene is disclosed which includes maleating a polyethylene polymer to form a maleated polyethylene and reacting the maleated polyethylene with a primary or secondary amino silane to form a silane-grafted polyethylene. The method further includes treating the silane-grafted polyethylene in a moisture curing process to form the silane cross-linked polyethylene.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing expanded polyolefin resin particles whose cells are not made nonuniform or extremely smaller as seen in conventional expanded particles, whose cell diameter and expansion ratio can be easily controlled independently, and which, when subjected to in-mold expansion molding, give in-mold expanded molded products satisfactory in fusibility and excellent in surface properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Abstract: A closed cell foam material contains a propylene based polymer comprising from about 5% to about 32% by weight ?-olefin units. The propylene based polymer has a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of less than 80 J/g. The material also contains 0.5 to 5 phr peroxide, 1.0 to 5.0 phr blowing agent, and 0.1 to 10 phr co-agent. The cells of closed cell foam material have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous polyethylene film for use as battery separator. The microporous polyethylene film according to the present invention is characterized by having a film thickness of 5-40 ?m, a porosity of 35-55%, a permeability from 2.5×10?5 to 10.0 10?5 Darcy, a puncture strength of at least 0.10 N/?m at 90° C., a puncture angle of at least 30° at 90° C., and a permeability from 2.0 10?5 to 8.0 10?5 Darcy after shrinking freely at 120° C. for 1 hour. The microporous polyethylene film in accordance with the present invention has very superior puncture strength and thermal stability at high temperature and takes place of less decrease of permeability due to low thermal shrinkage at high temperature, as well as superior permeability. Therefore, it can be usefully applied in a high-capacity, high-power battery to improve thermal stability and long-term stability of the battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plurality of glass bubbles having an average true density of up to about 0.55 grams per cubic centimeter and a size distribution including a median size in a range from about 15 micrometers to 40 micrometers. A hydrostatic pressure at which ten percent by volume of the plurality of glass bubbles collapses is at least about 100 megapascals. In some embodiments, the plurality of glass bubbles is a graded fraction preparable by classifying a second plurality of glass bubbles, wherein the second plurality of glass bubbles has a higher percentage of glass bubbles with a size of up to ten micrometers than the first plurality of glass bubbles. Composites including the plurality of glass bubbles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pre-expanded polyolefin particle containing powdered activated carbon (PAC) and a pre-expanded polyolefin particle containing PAC and a sterically hindered amine ether flame retardant, as well as processes for preparing pre-expanded polyolefin particles. A process for producing the pre-expanded polyolefin includes providing polyolefin polymer granules containing powdered activated carbon; impregnating the polyolefin polymer granules with a volatile blowing agent in an aqueous suspension at a pressure of 5 to 50 bar and at temperatures of 100 to 170° C.; and decompression to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for producing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene porous membrane, including: a step of molding a film using an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene raw material; a step of biaxially stretching the obtained film in X-axis and Y-axis directions at a temperature of from a melting point of the film to 180° C.; and a pore-forming step of stretching the stretched film along at least one axis of the X-axis and Y-axis at from 142° C. to 170° C. Alternatively, a method for producing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene film, including: a step of molding a film by two steps of press-molding and roll-molding using an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene raw material; and a step of biaxially stretching the film obtained in the above step, in X-axis and Y-axis directions at a temperature of from a melting point of the film to 180° C.

Abstract: A substantially non-elastic incompressible composition, which substantially does not quickly self-level under standard operating conditions, includes: a suspending agent which reacts substantially as a solid when subjected to forces below a critical force, and which becomes substantially flowable when subjected to forces above said critical force; ceramic microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; flexible-walled microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; and celled macroparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent. The composition provides an incident energy absorbing property. The incident energy may include sound energy, and the microparticulates and macroparticulates may convert some of the sound energy into heat, or may diffract the sound energy.

Abstract: There is provided a shoe sole component that has properties such as strength and cushioning property that are suppressed from being changed even under a wide temperature range from severe cold at ?10° C. or lower to high temperature conditions exceeding 30° C. A shoe sole component includes a cross-linked foam of a resin composition, the resin composition containing a thermoplastic polyolefin resin, in which tan ? (?20° C. to 40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz measured according to JIS K 7244-4 is 0.01 to 0.5, and tan ? (?20° C.)/tan ? (40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz is 0.7 to 1.3.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film useable as a battery separator, which is easy to control strength, permeability and shrinking properties of the microporous film and embodies excellent quality uniformity and production stability in fabricating the microporous film.

Abstract: Dispersions and methods for forming dispersions that include a higher crystallinity polyolefin and at least one dispersing agent are disclosed. Various applications for use of the dispersions are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for producing polyethylene having a molecular weight of at least 1×106 g/mol as determined by ASTM 4020, ethylene is contacted under polymerization conditions with a slurry of a catalyst composition comprising a particulate support having an average particle size, d50, of less than 58 microns and a Group 4 metal complex of a phenolate ether ligand carried by the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-based polymer with a density from about 0.90 to about 0.94 in grams per cubic centimeter, with a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) from about 2 to about 30, a melt index (I2) from about 0.1 to about 50 grams per 10 minutes, and further comprising sulfur from about 5 to about 4000 parts per million. The amount of sulfur is also determined based upon the total weight of the ethylene-based polymer. Also disclosed is process for making an ethylene-based polymer which includes the steps of splitting a process fluid for delivery into a tubular reactor; feeding an upstream process feed stream into a first reaction zone and at least one downstream process feed stream into at least one other reaction zone, where the process fluid has an average velocity of at least 10 meters per second; and initiating a free-radical polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Methods for making foamed adhesive compositions suitable for use in adhesive dressings for topical application to the body, the method including providing a molten adhesive composition, combining an inert gas with the molten adhesive composition in a first mixer, mixing the molten adhesive composition comprising the inert gas in the first mixer under conditions effective to form a first foamed adhesive composition; and mixing the first foamed adhesive composition in a second mixer that includes a rotating mixing blade under conditions effective to provide a second foamed adhesive composition having a substantially homogenous distribution of closed cells containing the inert gas.

Abstract: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a molecular weight greater than 20×106 gm/mol as determined by ASTM 4020 or by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and is produced by polymerizing ethylene with a catalyst composition comprising a Group 4 metal complex of a phenolate ether ligand.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising antioxidants and stabilizers, such as, acid scavengers or organic phosphorus stabilizers, and optionally further comprising co-stabilizers. The disclosed compositions are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins and other polymeric materials. The disclosed compositions and methods generally provide longer shelf lifes and better oxidative resistance to materials than currently available antioxidants.

Abstract: A matrix material composed of polymer, preferably of thermoplastic polymer, or coating material. The matrix material includes 0.01 to 50% by weight of an additive for foaming of the matrix material which can be triggered by irradiation with laser light or IR light. The additive includes at least the following constituents: a) at least one absorber material which, embedded or dissolved in the matrix material, absorbs laser light or IR light and brings about local heating in the matrix material at the site of irradiation with laser light or IR light, and b) at least one blowing agent which, when heated due to the irradiation with laser light or IR light to temperatures above 50° C., forms a gas which foams the matrix material by decomposition, chemical conversion or reaction.

Abstract: Improved polypropylene resin foamed beads that without detriment to the excellence in properties, such as compression properties and heat resistance, characterizing the polypropylene resin foamed beads, can provide a polypropylene resin foamed bead molded article with equal properties by an molding conducted at low heating temperature. There are disclosed polypropylene resin foamed beads composed of a polypropylene resin of 115 to 135° C. melting point and 500 MPa or higher Olsen flexural modulus. The amount of ash at the surface of the foamed beads is 3000 wt. ppm or less (including 0). With respect to the foamed beads, in the first DSC curve obtained by heating 1 to 3 mg of polypropylene resin foamed beads from room temperature to 200° C. at a temperature elevation rate of 10° C.

Abstract: A polyethylene powder has a molecular weight in the range of about 300,000 g/mol to about 2,000,000 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020, an average particle size, D50, between about 300 and about 1500 ?m, and a bulk density between about 0.25 and about 0.5 g/ml. On sintering, the polyethylene powder produces a porous article having a porosity of at least 45% and a pressure drop less than 5 mbar. The porous article is useful in, for example, wastewater aeration and capillary and filtration applications.

Abstract: A bonded microporous synthetic rubber, used in the manufacturing of pre-inked stamps and more specifically in the manufacturing of flash preink stamps, is disclosed. The bonded microporous synthetic rubber is made by gluing synthetic rubber with a polypropylene foam using synthetic glue. A tracing sheet containing the image of the desired text of the stamp is placed on the microporous synthetic rubber and it is exposed in a flash stamp system (with Xenon tubes) which delivers an intense burst of light that seals the non- printing area, thereby producing an image of precise resolution. After producing the image, the bonded microporous synthetic rubber is glued to a refillable stamp mount/pocket stamp mount. The refillable stamp mount includes an inking tube through which flash ink is poured. The bonded microporous synthetic rubber has good ink absorption and retention and thus in turn supports a greater number of impressions per inking.

Abstract: The application provides a process for preparing a thermoplastic elastomer composition (F) for injection molding, comprising dynamically heat-treating a thermoplastic elastomer composition (D), which comprises 95 to 5 parts by weight of an ethylene/?-olefin-based copolymer rubber (a), 5 to 95 parts by weight of a propylene/?-olefin random copolymer (b-1) (total of the components (a) and (b-1): 100 parts by weight), and 0 to 200 parts by weight of a softener (c), in the presence of an organic peroxide, wherein a crystallization nucleating agent (e) for olefin-based plastics is added in an amount of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total of the components (a) and (b-1) before or after the dynamic heat treatment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microporous polymeric membrane including: heat-setting the microporous polymeric membrane in at least a first stage and a final stage, the first stage being upstream of the final stage and a temperature of the first stage being at least 15° C. cooler than a temperature of the final stage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing high melt strength propylene polymer by direct polymerization, comprising that a propylene polymer with wide molecular weight distribution and containing “very high molecular weight fraction” can be prepared by controlling the species and ratios of the external electron donors in the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system at different reaction stages according to the requirment for different molecular weight fractions in the different propylene polymerization stage of the series operation, and said polymer has excellent mechnical properties, especially with very high melt strength. The present invention also provides a propylene homopolymer with high melt strength, comprising the following features: (1) the MFR is 0.2-10 g/10 min at 230° C. with a load of 2.16 kg; (2) the molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn is 6-20; (3) the content of the fraction with a molecular weight higher than 5,000,000 is higher than or equal to 0.

Abstract: Polyethylene homo or copolymers which further contain grafted or copolymerized vinyldiacyloxysilanes are easily processable without premature crosslinking, are easily formed into shaped articles by conventional processing methods, and yet rapidly crosslink to form crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Olefin polymer-based, durable, open-cell foam compositions, structures and articles derived from same; methods for preparation of such foams; and use of the dry durable foams in various applications are disclosed. Further described is use of the foams and structures and articles made of same in absorption, filtration, insulation, cushioning and backing applications, and in particular for odor removal, hygiene and medical applications due to, among other properties, good absorption capabilities, softness and/or flexibility of the foams and their recyclable nature.

Abstract: As a porous film in which the air-permeability at the time of elongation of the porous film was adjusted, whereby, when used as a battery separator, the holes of a separator in an electrode/separator wound body have been controlled, a polypropylene series resin porous film is proposed, in which, for a porous film having a polypropylene series resin as the main component, regarding air-permeability (Pa) prior to elongation and air-permeability (Pa?) at 5% elongation, (1) Pa? is 1,000 seconds/100 ml or less and (2) Pa?/Pa is 1.5 or less.

Abstract: In order to provide a porous polypropylene film in which the ratio of change in air permeability is small and the initial air-permeating property is satisfactory even under high temperature environment, a porous polypropylene film is proposed, satisfying the following conditions (1) and (2) regarding air-permeability (Pa1) at 20° C. and air-permeability (Pa2) after heating at 95° C.

Abstract: Provided is a sliding member having excellent adhesion and slidability suitable for use as a transfer pad in an image forming apparatus. A sliding member (10) includes a porous body (1) that is a sintered body of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles and having a surface of the porous body (1) as a sliding surface (5). The sliding surface (5) has a particle occupation ratio of 50% or less, and a surface roughness Ra of 2.0 ?m or less. The sliding member (10) can be obtained by heating the porous body obtained by cutting the sintered body of UHMWPE particles to make the sliding surface (5) smoother than before the heating.

Abstract: To provide a thermoplastic resin microporous film being difficult in longitudinal tearing and excellent in tear resistance; a microporous film comprising a thermoplastic resin, wherein a melt flow rate of the thermoplastic resin in the microporous film is in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min, tensile strength in a cross-machine direction is in the range of 5 to 10 MPa and tensile elongation in the cross-machine direction is 300% or more.

Abstract: A resin composition for cross-linking foam molding having a polymer composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of the following component (A) and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the following component (B); a foaming agent; and a cross-linking agent, wherein the component (A) is an ethylene-based polymer satisfying the following conditions (a1) to (a2): (a1) the density is 860 to 935 kg/m3, and (a2) the melt flow rate (MFR) is 0.1 to 10 g/10 minutes, and the component (B) is an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer satisfying the following conditions (b1) to (b3): (b1) the density is 890 to 925 kg/m3, (b2) the intrinsic viscosity [?] determined in a tetralin solution is 4 to 15 dL/g, and (b3) the activation energy of flow (Ea) is less than 50 kJ/mol.

Abstract: Regarding a polypropylene series resin porous film having a polypropylene series resin as the main component, so as to exert excellent slipping ability and processability when used as a battery separator, a polypropylene series resin porous film fabricated in such a way that the coefficient of static friction against film is greater than the coefficient of static friction against SUS is proposed.

Abstract: The present invention features hydrophilic IR-transparent porous membranes, particularly hydrophilic IR-transparent porous polyethylene membranes and methods of preparing the hydrophilic membranes by treatment of hydrophobic IR-transparent porous membranes with plasma. The present invention further features spectroscopic sample holders which incorporate the hydrophilic IR-transparent porous membranes and methods of identifying bacteria and other microorganisms in samples by infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrophilic polyolefin sintered material which is a water-absorbing sintered material of a polyolefin resin ice having a graft chain composed of at least one molecular chain selected from hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated group-containing monomers and their polymers. This hydrophilic polyolefin sintered material has an average porosity of 20-80% by volume and an open cell having an average pore diameter of 1-150 ?m.

Abstract: A foam composition comprising about 50 to about 95 parts by weight of at least one polypropylene polymer having a density of about 85 to about 125 kg/m3, wherein the composition has blister rating of 1-2, an unaged peel tear strength of at least about 34 N and a heat aged peel tear strength of at least about 28 N when laminated to a support layer.

Abstract: A polyethylene resin expanded particle has an expansion ratio of not less than 10 times and not more than 50 times, and in a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the polyethylene resin expanded particle (i) shows two melting peaks, the two melting peaks being a low-temperature side melting peak and a high-temperature side melting peak, and (ii) further has a shoulder in a region not less than 100° C. and not more than the low-temperature side melting peak temperature, the shoulder having a shoulder ratio which is not less than 0.2% and not more than 3%.

Abstract: A new method is disclosed for the exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride into mono- and few-layered nanosheets (or nanoplatelets, nanomesh, nanoribbons). The method does not necessarily require high temperature or vacuum, but uses commercially available h-BN powders (or those derived from these materials, bulk crystals) and only requires wet chemical processing. The method is facile, cost efficient, and scalable. The resultant exfoliated h-BN is dispersible in an organic solvent or water thus amenable for solution processing for unique microelectronic or composite applications.

Abstract: Making foamed polyeolefin tapes include combining a polyolefin resin and a chemical blowing agent to form a mixture. This mixture can then be heated in an extruder to create a supersaturated solution of gas within the polyolefin resin. A cooling device can be positioned adjacent to a die at a set distance for receiving extruded resin and for allowing exposure of the extruded resin to ambient air. This space between the cooling device and die outlet allows bubbles to grow in the extruded resin and to be shaped such that voids or empty spaces can be generated within the extruded polyolefin resin. The voids allow the formation of tapes which use less material but have adequate strength for various applications, such as carpet backings, geotextiles, packaging, housewrap, bags, wire insulation, and reinforcement elements in concrete.

Abstract: An insulative and relatively low-weight aggregate building material comprising an expanded plastic polymer and a method of producing the material are provided. The building material resists freeze-thaw damage and is sufficiently strong to be used in most building applications.

Abstract: A microporous membrane may be manufactured using a polymer binder and a filler material using a liquid pore forming agent having a surface free energy that is lower than that of the filler and higher than that of the polymer. The repulsion of the pore forming agent to the polymer may form the pores of the membrane, while the attraction of the polymer to the filler may encapsulate the filler into the structure of the membrane. The filler may be particles that are on the order of or smaller than the wall thickness of the microporous structure.

Abstract: Compression molded polymeric foam articles and methods are described herein. Equipment design and processing techniques may be controlled to form compression molded articles having desired characteristics.

Abstract: A coalescing agent for facilitating the separation of a non-aqueous phase from an aqueous phase of an aqueous medium, said agent consisting of particles of a polymeric foam material having: an IFD no. of 40 or higher (i.e. at least 40); a BR no. of 35 or higher (at least 35); a SF no. of 1.8 or higher (i.e. at least 1.8) and a density of 42 kg/m3 or less.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a polymer composition comprising an inorganic particle, wherein the inorganic particle comprises at least about 0.002% of tungsten, based on the total weight of the inorganic particle, and has a photostability ratio (PSR) of at least about 2, as measured by the Ag+ photoreduction rate, and color as depicted by an L* of at least about 97.0, and b* of less than about 4. The disclosure also relates to plastic parts prepared from these compositions.

Abstract: Polypropylene resin expanded particles include polypropylene resin as base material resin having at least two melting peaks on a DSC curve, the at least two melting peaks including (i) a lowest-temperature melting peak of 100° C. or more but 130° C. or less and (ii) a highest-temperature melting peak of 140° C. or more but 160° C. or less, so that the expanded particles: produce an in-mold foaming molded product at a very low mold heating steam pressure; exhibit low distortion, low shrinkage, and a wide range of heating condition for molding, even if the mold heating steam pressure is increased; have satisfactory moldability when the expanded particles are molded by using a mold having a complicated shape or a large mold; and maintain properties such as compressive strength, substantially unimpaired, when the expanded particles make the in-mold foaming molded product.