Abstract:
A soft foam having an Asker C hardness of less than about 65, comprising: (A) from 30 to 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more alkenyl aromatic polymers and wherein at least one of said alkenyl aromatic polymers has a molecular weight (Mw) of from 100,000 to 500,000; and (B) from 30 to 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more substantially random interpolymers having an I2 of 0.1 to 50g/10 min, an Mw/Mn of 1.5 to 20; comprising (1) from 8 to 45 mol percent of polymer units derived from: (a) at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one aromatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer and at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer, and (2) from 55 to 92 mol percent of polymer units derived from at least one of ethylene and/or a C3-20 alpha -olefin; and (3) from 0 to 20 mol percent of polymer units derived from one or more of ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers other than those derived from (1) and (2); and (C) optionally, one or more nucleating agents; and (D) optionally, one or more other additives; and (E) one or more blowing agents present in a total amount of from 0.4 to 5.0 gram-moles per kilogram (based on the combined weight of Components A and B).
Abstract:
Thermoplastic blends are prepared from polymeric materials comprising (A) from 1 to 99 weight percent of at least one interpolymer made from monomer components comprising (1) from 1 to 65 mole percent of (a) at least one aromatic vinylidene monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one aromatic vinylidene monomer and at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, and (2) from 99 to 35 mole percent of at least one aliphatic alpha -olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; and (B) from 99 to 1 weight percent of at least one polymer made from monomer components comprising (1) from 1 to 100 mole percent of at least one alpha -olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and (2) from 0 to 99 mole percent of at least one alpha -olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms which monomer is different from the monomer of component (B-1). These blends possess improved properties when compared to the properties of the polymers comprising the blend. These blends are useful in the preparation of films, fabricated articles, injection molded parts, bitumen and asphalt modification, hot melt and pressure sensitive adhesive systems.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an extruded, dimensionally stable, ethylene polymer foam. The foam comprises an ethylene polymer material of 90 percent or more by weight of ethylene monomeric units. The foam has a density of 50 kilograms per cubic meter or more. The foam is substantially free of a permeability modifier. The foam has a fast-permeating blowing agent. The foam has a multiplicity of channels extending from a surface into the foam. The channels are free of direction with respect to the longitudinal extension of the foam. The channels allow permeation of blowing agent out of the foam and permeation of air into the foam (curing) to be accelerated. The foam resists collapse during curing due to the stiff nature of the foam polymer matrix. Further disclosed is a process for making the foam and a method for enhancing the release of blowing agent from the foam.