Abstract:
Elastic fibers are described that comprise (i) a polyolefin polymer, e.g., a homogeneously branched, preferably substantially linear, ethylene polymer, and (ii) a photoinitiator, e.g., an aromatic ketone, in an amount sufficient to effect at least a partial cross-linking of the polymer when the fiber is exposed to sufficient UV -radiation to activate the photoinitiator. Articles, e.g., fabrics, comprising fibers of this invention, either alone or in combination with one or more other fibers, e.g., cellulose, nylon, etc., exhibit good heat resistance and elasticity at elevated temperatures.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a multicomponent structure comprising at least two components having a tie layer or adhesive layer directly between them, the tie layer comprising at least one olefin unsaturated ester copolymer and at least one photoinitiator and optionally a crosslinking enhancer. The tie layer is preferably irradiated with sufficient actinic radiation to result in increased interlayer adhesion strength between the two components as compared with the interlayer adhesion strength before treatment with the actinic radiation or between the components having a tie layer of the same composition except without the added photoinitiator or crosslinking enhancer. Without the photoinitiator, optionally crosslinking enhancer, and radiation the interlayer adhesion of the components is preferably less than 55 N/m. At least one of the components (first component or layer) preferably comprises a halopolymer, more preferably vinylidene chloride polymer, most preferably at least a majority of a vinyl idene chloride polymer. In another embodiment, at least one component exhibits interlayer adhesion strength similar to vinylidene chloride polymers. The structure optionally is or comprises such structures as a multilayer film, bag, or package, a lined or composite pipe, or other structure having more than one component. The tie layer is advantageously irradiated with an amount of UV light effective to increase the adhesion strength between the first and second components.
Abstract:
Elastic fibers are described that comprise (i) a polyolefin polymer, e.g., a homogeneously branched, preferably substantially linear, ethylene polymer, and (ii) a photoinitiator, e.g., an aromatic ketone, in an amount sufficient to effect at least a partial cross-linking of the polymer when the fiber is exposed to sufficient UV -radiation to activate the photoinitiator. Articles, e.g., fabrics, comprising fibers of this invention, either alone or in combination with one or more other fibers, e.g., cellulose, nylon, etc., exhibit good heat resistance and elasticity at elevated temperatures.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a multicomponent structure comprising at least two components having a tie layer or adhesive layer directly between them, the tie layer comprising at least one olefin unsaturated ester copolymer and at least one photoinitiator and optionally a crosslinking enhancer. The tie layer is preferably irradiated with sufficient actinic radiation to result in increased interlayer adhesion strength between the two components as compared with the interlayer adhesion strength before treatment with the actinic radiation or between the components having a tie layer of the same composition except without the added photoinitiator or crosslinking enhancer. Without the photoinitiator, optionally crosslinking enhancer, and radiation the interlayer adhesion of the components is preferably less than 55 N/m. At least one of the components (first component or layer) preferably comprises a halopolymer, more preferably vinylidene chloride polymer, most preferably at least a majority of a vinyl idene chloride polymer. In another embodiment, at least one component exhibits interlayer adhesion strength similar to vinylidene chloride polymers. The structure optionally is or comprises such structures as a multilayer film, bag, or package, a lined or composite pipe, or other structure having more than one component. The tie layer is advantageously irradiated with an amount of UV light effective to increase the adhesion strength between the first and second components.
Abstract:
Elastic fibers are described that comprise (i) a polyolefin polymer, e.g., a homogeneously branched, preferably substantially linear, ethylene polymer, and (ii) a photoinitiator, e.g., an aromatic ketone, in an amount sufficient to effect at least a partial cross-linking of the polymer when the fiber is exposed to sufficient UV -radiation to activate the photoinitiator. Articles, e.g., fabrics, comprising fibers of this invention, either alone or in combination with one or more other fibers, e.g., cellulose, nylon, etc., exhibit good heat resistance and elasticity at elevated temperatures.
Abstract:
An improved process for crosslinking a polyolefin polymer is described. The process involves grafting a silane material onto the polyolefin based polymer in the presence of a free radical generating initiator material and then hydrolyzing the silane material to form crosslinks. By using an effective molar ratio of silane material to free radical of 40 or greater in the grafting reaction, premature crosslinking is controlled and the grafted polymer can be shaped first and then crosslinked. In another aspect of the invention, the crosslinking process is improved by adding a catalyst for the hydrolysis catalyst to the surface of a shaped article made from the grafted polymer. Grafted polymer and articles made from the grafted polymer, particularly fibers, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A nanocomposite material containing several necessary components. The first component is from 98.9 to 70 parts by weight of a bulk polymer, the bulk polymer being a non-polar polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The second component is from 1 to 30 parts by weight of a cation exchanging multi-layered silicate material, such as acid or quaternary ammonium treated montmorillonite or sepiolite, dispersed in the bulk polymer, the cation exchanging multi-layered silicate material having a plurality of anionic sites, the multi-layered silicate material being exfoliated to one, two, three, four and more than four layer units, the number percent of the one, two, three and four layer units being greater than the number percent of the more than four layer units. The third component is from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an organic cation, such as polyethylene or polypropylene terminated by an amine group, the organic cation having a pendent polymer chain, the polymer of the pendent polymer chain being miscible with the bulk polymer, the average molecular weight of the pendent polymer chain being more than 3000. The nanocomposite material is made by blending the molten bulk polymer with the cation exchanging multi-layered silicate material and the organic cation.