Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes comprising first and second components, the first component being polymer and the second component being aliphatic paraffin having a backbone and pendent groups. The invention also relates to methods for making such membranes, and the use of such membranes, e.g., as battery separator film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a dispersion of nanoscale dicarboxylic acid salts, to the use of these dispersions for producing a compound, and to the use for producing films. The invention further relates to the use of the compounds for producing films.

Abstract: A process for the production of foamed plastic parts, in which a blowing agent composition is introduced into a plastic matrix and causes pore formation in the plastic matrix by releasing at least carbon dioxide gas from the blowing agent composition, wherein the blowing agent composition contains at least one carbon dioxide carrier selected from carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and carbamates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, aluminum, transition metals and/or ammonium, and at least one acid carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions-of-matter composed of a continuous elastomeric matrix and a liquid; the matrix entrapping the liquid therein in the form of closed-cell droplets dispersed throughout the matrix. The disclosed compositions-of-matter are characterized by a low tensile/compressive modulus and are capable of retaining the liquid for exceedingly long periods of time. Further disclosed are processes for forming the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof.

Abstract: A hydrophilic vinylidene fluoride resin composition, comprising: porous vinylidene fluoride polymer particles and a hydrophilic polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 2×105 contained in the pores of the porous vinylidene fluoride polymer particles. The composition is preferably obtained by subjecting a slurry containing porous vinylidene fluoride polymer particles after suspension polymerization to an appropriate degree of heat treatment for adjusting the amount of residual polymerization initiator, then impregnating the Polymer particles with a hydrophilic monomer and polymerizing the monomer. The thus-obtained vinylidene fluoride resin composition exhibits persistent hydrophilicity and good processability.

Abstract: An extruded polypropylene type resin foam having a high expansion ratio of at least 15 times and a closed cell ratio of at least 70% and excellent in the heat insulation property, and its production process, are provided. An extruded polypropylene type resin foam, which is produced by extrusion-foaming a polypropylene type resin composition containing a linear polypropylene type resin having a melt tension at 230° C. of from 5 to 30 g, by using a blowing agent containing at least a hydrocarbon type gas, and which has an expansion ratio of at least 15 times and a closed cell ratio of at least 70%.

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 invention relates to highly branched polymers (P) comprising at least one silane group, wherein at least one silicon atom carries a hydrolysable group of the general formula (I): RA[(CH2)(CHRa)]p?h[(CH2)k(CRcRd)]m?gRuqRot[(CH2)l(CR?fRsi)]g+hRB, where RA, RB, Ra, Rc, Rd, Ru, Ro, Rf, Rsi, g, h, k, l, m, p, q, t have the meanings indicated in claim 1, the relationship m?g=r×(ra+p+q+t) applies, and r has a value greater than or equal to 0.

Abstract: There is provided herein a polyolefin composition comprising a polyolefin and a flame retardant effective amount of a solid phosphate ester of the general formula (1): wherein n has an average value of from about 1.0 to about 2.0 and X is a divalent arylene moiety bonded to both of the oxygen atoms of any one of hydroquinone, resorcinol, 4,4?-biphenol, bisphenol S, or bisphenol F, and wherein the phosphate ester is in the absence of halogen. There is also provided a method of making the polyolefin composition. This fire retardant polyolefin composition is particularly useful in polypropylene fiber and films and foams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite component comprising an unfoamed polymer phase and a foamed phase, and to a process for producing the same.

Abstract: Provided is a porous polypropylene film having both air permeability properties and puncture strength. A porous polypropylene film which has an air permeability of 700 seconds/100 ml or less and a puncture strength of 1.5 N or greater, and has ? activity can be obtained when the porous polypropylene film is made to have a tensile strength in the machine direction of the film, EMD, of 100 MPa or greater, a tensile strength in the transverse direction to the machine direction, ETD, of less than 100 MPa, and a ratio of EMD and ETD, EMD/ETD, of 1.5 to 10.

Abstract: The separator for an electrochemical device of the present invention includes inorganic fine particles and a fibrous material or microporous film. Primary particles of the inorganic fine particles can be approximated to a geometric shape, and a difference between a theoretical specific surface area and an actual specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is within ±15% relative to the theoretical specific surface area, where the theoretical specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is calculated from a surface area, a volume and a true density of the primary particles of the inorganic fine particles, which are determined through approximation of the primary particles of the inorganic fine particles to the geometric shape, and the actual specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is measured by the BET method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molding material for extrusion foam molding from which woody molded foam of high quality can be obtained. From the molding material, woody molded foam of high quality with no defects is efficiently produced. Constituent materials comprising woodmeal and a thermoplastic resin as major components and containing 1-5 wt % alkane having a molecular weight of 300-1,000 g/mol are melt-kneaded until the components come into an evenly dispersed state, and the resultant mixture is molded into pellets having a given diameter to obtain a molding material. Subsequently, this molding material is extrusion-molded into a given shape together with a blowing agent by means of an extrusion molding device, thereby obtaining woody molded foam.

Abstract: Polymer composite roofing materials are provided which contain resin, and about 20-75 wt. % fillers and additives, in which the fillers contain at least one bulk filler for reducing the amount of resin needed to make the roofing material, and at least one aesthetically functional filler for providing the roofing material with an aesthetic appearance. The bulk filler and the aesthetically functional filler of this embodiment are non-toxic, resistant to microbial attack, and have a Mohs hardness of less than about 5.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a plastic part, the process comprising providing a polymer, heating the polymer, introducing a gas or supercritical fluid into the polymer, mixing the polymer and the gas to produce a first melt, extruding the first melt, pelletizing the extruded first melt to form pellets, transforming the pellets into a second melt, and molding the second melt to form the plastic part. In pelletizing the first melt, individual cells of gas are included in the resulting pellets. Before the cells can nucleate, the polymer is solidified to keep the gas contained therein. After the polymer is pelletized, the pellets are considered to be unfoamed. In molding the second melt to form the plastic part, nucleation of the cells is initiated through favorable process conditions and/or additional cell nucleating agents, thereby resulting in the second melt being foamed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating structural foam having a density in the range of from 0.4 to 0.75 gr/cm3. A gas is generated in a plastic melt under conditions inhibiting bubble formation in the melt. The melt is injected into a mold and the volume of the mold is varied to produce a structural foam having a density in the specified range. Also provided is a sheet of structural foam having a density in the range of from 0.4 to 0.75 gr/cm3 and a panel including a sheet of structural foam. Also provided is a structure including two or more panels. The structure may be, for example, a cabinet, cupboard, shed or piece of furniture.

Abstract: Implantable biocompatible polymeric medical devices include a substrate with an acid or base-modified surface which is subsequently modified to include click reactive members.

Abstract: A pipette tip or tube containing chromatographic media contained and held in place in said tube by using low melting point porous polymer particles. Such pipette tips or tubes can be used for sample preparation, filtration and synthesis of small molecules and biomolecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubricious polymeric composition that includes polymer and one or more lubricants. Articles formed from the lubricious polymeric composition possess enhanced softness, flexibility and lubricity. The present disclosure also provides a method for making an article formed from a lubricious polymeric composition having polymer and one or more lubricants.

Abstract: This invention relates to microporous membranes comprising polyolefin, the use of such membranes as battery separators, and methods for producing such microporous membranes. In particular, the invention relates to microporous membranes having a shutdown temperature in the range of 120.0° C. to 130.0° C. and a maximum solid state heat shrinkage ?30.0%.

Abstract: A microporous membrane comprising polyolefin copolymer, the membrane having a shutdown temperature?130.5° C. and a shutdown activation energy E2?3.5×103 J/mol.

Abstract: A microporous membrane comprising layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a first polymer having a Tm in the range of 115.0° C. to 130.0° C. and an Mw of from 5.0×103 to 4.0×105, and the membrane has a shutdown temperature ?130.5° C. and a rupture temperature ?170.0° C.

Abstract: The invention pertains to azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFC-1225yc) and any one of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (HFC-1234yf) or the Z-isomer of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFC-1225yeZ), and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants.

Abstract: Disclosed are new compositions consisting of polyphosphonates and specific additive compositions that exhibit superior resistance to degradation due to exposure to air, high temperature and air, moisture or combinations thereof. Also disclosed are polymer mixtures or blends comprising these polyphosphonates/additive compositions and commodity and engineering plastics and articles produced therefrom. Further disclosed are articles of manufacture produced from these materials, such as fibers, films, coated substrates, moldings, foams, fiber-reinforced articles, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for easily and economically producing an expansion-molded polypropylene-based resin article stably with a high porosity, that has continuous voids and that can be used as materials such as a sound absorbing material and a draining material. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing an expansion-molded polypropylene-based resin article, in which a mold is filled with expanded polypropylene-based resin particles, and the expanded particles are heated and fused using water vapor, and then cooled, wherein expanded polypropylene-based resin particles are used in which a polypropylene-based resin having a melt index (MI) of not less than 0.1 g/10 minutes and not more than 9 g/10 minutes is used as a base resin, a cell size is not more than 150 ?m, two melting peaks are present on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, and ?/(?+?) is not less than 0.35 and not more than 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel masticatory masses for oral hygiene, made from foamed synthetic polymers, a method for production and use thereof.

Abstract: A porous polypropylene film has a number of portions where the quantity of light transmitted through each portion is not smaller than 5 times the average quantity of light transmitted through the film is 0.5 portion or less per 1 m2. The porous polypropylene film has a high porosity and excellent production characteristics, and when used as a separator in an electrical storage device, has excellent quality and few defects that could negatively impact battery performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new molding powder comprising polyethylene polymer particles. The molecular weight of the polyethylene polymer is within the range of from about 600,000 g/mol to about 2,700,000 g/mol as determined by ASTM 4020. The average particle size of the particles of the polyethylene polymer is within the range of from about 5 microns to about 1000 microns and the polyethylene has a powder bulk density in the range of from about 0.10 to about 0.30 g/cc. Also disclosed is a process for molding a shape from a molding powder comprising the inventive polyethylene polymer particles, as well as porous articles made in accordance with the process. The articles have excellent porosity and good strength for porous and porous filtration applications.

Abstract: A polyolefin microporous film comprising polyethylene and polypropylene having a viscosity average molecular weight of 100,000 or higher, the polypropylene being contained in an amount of 4 wt % or more and the terminal vinyl group concentration per 10,000 carbon atoms in the polyolefin constituting the microporous film being 2 or more as measured by infrared spectroscopy. The microporous film has both of a good film breaking resistance and a low thermal shrinkage, is excellent in fuse property, and has a uniform film thickness. Particularly, the microporous film can retain safety in the oven safety test at 150° C. for a battery which is required for use as a lithium ion battery separator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a masterbatch comprising a nucleating organic compound which, on changing to the solid phase, forms crystals and which in its melt phase is soluble in the molten polyethylene and polyethylene. The ingredients of this masterbatch are applied as a nucleating agent masterbatch during the production of polyethylene foam.

Abstract: Expanded and extruded polyolefin foams are obtained using environmentally benign non-VOC methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g., non-VOC), which is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s) or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend can include any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The polymer foam can include polyethylene, polypropylene or a combination thereof. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as for insulation and protective cushioning. Processes for the preparation of such foams are also provided.

Abstract: At least a selected microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 6.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane may include the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

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: Polyolefin dispersions, froths, and foams and articles manufactured therefrom are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for generating a thermoplastic foam from an aqueous dispersion. The aqueous dispersion may include a thermoplastic resin, water, and a stabilizing agent. The method may include adding at least one frothing surfactant to the aqueous dispersion to form a mixture, adding a flame retardant and/or a phase change material, frothing the mixture to create a froth, and removing at least a portion of the water to produce the foam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a functional sheet, to a method for preparing said sheet, to a packaging material and to the use of said packaging material. The functional sheet of the invention comprises a porous polymeric carrier having a porosity of at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, wherein said polymeric carrier comprises one or more functional compounds, which functional compound provides said sheet with at least one function selected from sensing, scavenging and releasing and wherein the polymeric carrier comprises one or more polyolefins and the average pore size of the polymeric carrier is at least 0.11 ?m.

Abstract: An electrically and ionically conductive porous material including a thermoplastic binder and one or more of anion exchange moieties or cation exchange moieties or mixtures thereof and/or one or more of a protein capture resin and an electrically conductive material. The thermoplastic binder immobilizes the moieties with respect to each other but does not substantially coat the moieties and forms the electrically conductive porous material. A wafer of the material and a method of making the material and wafer are disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a void-containing resin molded product which enables producing a void-containing resin molded product having a high color saturation and an appearance excellent in brightness and heat insulation properties by stretching polymer-molded product containing a single crystalline polymer, and a void-containing resin molded product obtained by the production method. A first aspect of the method for producing a void-containing resin molded product is a method for producing a void-containing resin molded product, the method including: stretching a polymer-molded product containing a single crystalline polymer in at least one axial direction, wherein a yield stress (A) and a stress (L30) at an elongation of 30% in a stress-strain curve of the polymer-molded product in the stretching in the one axial direction satisfy Relationship (I): L30/A<0.

Abstract: A microporous membrane includes polyolefin, and has a shutdown temperature ?133.0° C. and a self-discharge capacity ?110.0 mAh.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a polymer shell made from ethylenically unsaturated monomers encapsulating a propellant, said ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising from 40 to 70 wt % of acrylonitrile, from 5 to 40 wt % of methacrylonitrile, from 10 to 50 wt % of monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of acrylic acid, esters of methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof, and said propellant comprising at least one of methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane and neo-pentane. The invention further relates to the production and use of the microspheres.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microporous high density polyethylene film for a battery separator and a method of producing the same. The microporous high density polyethylene film includes high density polyethylene with a weight average molecular weight of 2×105-5×105, containing 5 wt % or less molecule with a molecular weight of 1×104 or less. The microporous high density polyethylene film has tensile strengths of 1,100 kg/cm2 or more in transverse and machine directions respectively, a puncture strength of 0.22 N/?m or more, a gas permeability (Darcy's permeability constant) of 1.3×10?5 Darcy or more, and shrinkages of 5% or less in machine and transverse directions, respectively. Particularly, the microporous high density polyethylene film has an excellent extrusion-compoundabiliy and stretchability and a high productivity, and can improve the performances and stability of a battery produced using the same.

Abstract: A foam form sheet material having a first large surface comprising substantially only closed cells and an opposite large surface and an interior comprising substantially only open cells. This material comprises a cross linked olefin thermoplastic polymer or copolymer. The foam is made by mixing the polymer with a blowing agent and a cross linking agent. The mixture is maintained in a two roll mill means for a time sufficient to initiate cross linking and to initiate foaming to form closed cells. The sheet material is then disposed in a second two roll mill means having a nip that is larger than the thickness of the foamed sheet material and maintained under elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to initiate further cross linking and foaming. The fully cross linked cell foam is then compressed to rupture the closed cells that are disposed in the interior to form open cells.

Abstract: A nanoporous material is provided. The pores of the nanoporous material are formed between nanoparticles that have a polymeric surface layer. The nanoporous material is produced by (a) suspending the nanoparticles in a medium material, wherein the nanoparticles are phase separated from the medium material, (b) heating the suspension to a temperature above the melting point of the nanoparticle surface layer, and (c) cooling the suspension. Alternatively, the nanoporous material may be produced by dissolving nanoparticles having a polymeric surface layer in a solvent, and then adding a medium material that causes the nanoparticles to phase separate from the solution.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for producing a cross-linked polyolefin foam in a continuous process using standard processing equipment without using a moisture cross-linking step after processing. In this method, a vinyl functional silane compound is melt grafted onto a low density polyethylene in the presence of a free radical generator. The resulting silane grafted polyethylene resin is mixed and melted with a blowing agent in a continuous process in the presence of water to form a vinyl functional silane foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous film containing a polyolefin resin and not less than 0.001% by mass but not more than 2% by mass of a fatty acid component having not less than 12 but not more than 24 carbon atoms, which is composed of one or more fatty acids selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids and metal salts of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: Building materials formed from synthetic polymer materials have an appearance which simulates natural woods. The building materials may be used in the construction of fences, sheds, decking materials, indoor/outdoor furniture, railings and numerous other products. The faux wood material is constructed to include reinforcing fibers and voids for weight reduction. The aesthetic appearance of the finished product can be enhanced by applying a color wash which includes a polymer component and a color component adhering to the surface of the material.

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: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film which can be used for various battery separators, separating filters and membranes for microfiltration. The process for manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film according to the invention comprises mixing/extrusion through efficient and separate injection of 15-55% by weight of polyolefin (Component I), and 85-45% by weight of a diluent (Component II) which forms thermodynamic single phase with the polyolefin and a diluent (Component III) which can undergo thermodynamic liquid-liquid phase separation with the polyolefin, into an extruder.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polyolefin microporous film that can sufficiently reduce the occurrence of raised edges at a slitting step such as a slitting step at the time of producing the polyolefin microporous film and a slitting step at the time of processing the polyolefin microporous film into a roll. The present invention provides a polyolefin microporous film formed from a polyolefin composition comprising a polyethylene, a first polypropylene having a viscosity average molecular weight of not less than 50,000 and less than 300,000, and a second polypropylene having a viscosity average molecular weight of not less than 300,000.

Abstract: An extruded polypropylene type resin foam having a high expansion ratio of at least 15 times and a closed cell ratio of at least 70% and excellent in the heat insulation property, and its production process, are provided. An extruded polypropylene type resin foam, which is produced by extrusion-foaming a polypropylene type resin composition containing a linear polypropylene type resin having a melt tension at 230° C. of from 5 to 30 g, by using a blowing agent containing at least a hydrocarbon type gas, and which has an expansion ratio of at least 15 times and a closed cell ratio of at least 70%.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides propylene-based polymers which exhibit a strain hardening distribution factor that is less than zero and/or a strain hardening factor greater than 1.5. The propylene-based polymers are rheology-modified by way of silane coupling to improve melt strength.