Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
  • C08L23/14—Copolymers of propene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
  • C08L23/12—Polypropene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
  • C08L23/14—Copolymers of propene
  • C08L23/142—Copolymers of propene at least partially crystalline copolymers of propene with other olefins
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
  • C08L2205/03—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing three or more polymers in a blend
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/08—Copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/0807—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing four or more carbon atoms
  • C08L23/0823—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing four or more carbon atoms with aliphatic cyclic olefins
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L25/00—Compositions of, homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L25/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons
  • C08L25/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of styrene
  • C08L25/06—Polystyrene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L57/00—Compositions of unspecified polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C08L57/02—Copolymers of mineral oil hydrocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L91/00—Compositions of oils, fats or waxes; Compositions of derivatives thereof

Definitions

• the present invention relates to elastic blends of semicrystalline, propylene-containing polymers and low molecular weight, high glass transition temperature materials which are miscible with the semicrystalline propylene- containing polymers.
• U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0019507 discloses adhesive blends that can include a semi-crystalline copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer selected from ethylene and at least one C 4 to C 0 alpha- olefin, wherein the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight (M w ) from about 15,000 to about 200,000, a melt index (MI) from about 7 dg/min to about
• M w weight average molecular weight
• MI melt index
• adhesive compositions having polymers or polymer blends with melt flow rates (MFRs) equal to and above 250 dg/min at 230°C.
• the present invention provides a composition including a polymer and a miscible hydrocarbon resin, the miscible hydrocarbon resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 20°C.
• the polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and random copolymers of propylene and has a heat of fusion as determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of less than 50 J/g, a melt index (MI) of less than 5 dg/min., and contains stereoregular propylene crystallinity.
• the present invention provides a composition including from 70% to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a polymer and from 5% to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a miscible hydrocarbon resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 20°C.
• the polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and random copolymers of propylene and has a heat of fusion as determined by DSC of less than 50 J/g, a melt index (MI) of less than
• the composition has one or more ofthe following characteristics, in any combination:
• the composition has a tension set of less than 20%, or less than 12%, or less than 10%;
• the composition has a tension set TS and a 500% modulus M 50 o % conforming to the relationship: TS ⁇ 0.01*M 50 o% + 12.5, where M is in units of psi;
• the composition has a single glass transition temperature at least 1°C lower than the glass transition temperature ofthe hydrocarbon resin
• the composition has a tensile modulus at least 10% lower than the tensile modulus ofthe polymer
• the polymer is present in the composition in an amount within the range having a lower limit of 70%, 75%, or 80%> by weight to an upper limit of
• the polymer has isotactic stereoregular propylene crystallinity
• the polymer comprises from 2 wt% to 25 wt% polymerized ethylene units, based on the total weight ofthe polymer;
• the polymer has a narrow compositional distribution
• the polymer has a melting point as determined by DSC of from 25°C to
• the polymer has a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of from 2.0 to
• the polymer has a melt index (MI) of less than 7 dg/min, or less than 2 dg/min;
• the hydrocarbon resin is present in the composition in an amount within the range having a lower limit of 1%, 5%, or 10% by weight to an upper limit of 15%), 18%, 20%), 25%, or 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition;
• the hydrocarbon resin is a hydrogenated cycloaliphatic resin
• the hydrocarbon resin has a molecular weight (Mn) of from 200 to
• the hydrocarbon resin has a softening point within the range having an upper limit of 180°C, or 150°C, or 140°C and a lower limit of 80°C, or 120°C, or
• the present invention provides an elastic film including at least one layer comprising any of the inventive compositions described herein.
• the film is a monolayer film.
• the film is a multilayer film.
• the invention provides a garment structure, such as diapers and incontinence garments, which include any of the inventive compositions described herein.
• Figure 1 is a graph of the lost energy versus 500% tensile modulus of several comparative and inventive films.
• Figures 2 and 4 are graphs of the tension set versus 500% tensile modulus of several comparative and inventive films.
• r [n0n02 m 9] T F J -igures ⁇ 3_ and A C 5 are graphs o e f 500% tensile modulus versus wt% of
• the polymer of the present invention is an elastic polymer with a moderate level of crystallinity due to stereoregular propylene sequences.
• the polymer can be: (A) a propylene homopolymer in which the stereoregularity is disrupted in some manner such as by regio-inversions; (B) a random propylene copolymer in which the propylene stereoregularity is disrupted at least in part by comonomers; or (C) a combination of (A) and (B).
• the polymer further includes a non-conjugated diene monomer to aid in vulcanization and other chemical modification of the blend composition.
• the amount of diene present in the polymer is preferably less than 10%) by weight, and more preferably less than 5% by weight.
• the diene may be any non-conjugated diene which is commonly used for the vulcanization of ethylene propylene rubbers including, but not limited to, ethylidene norbornene, vinyl norbornene, and dicyclopentadiene.
• the polymer is a random copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer selected from ethylene, C 4 -C 1 ⁇ -olefins, and combinations thereof.
• the copolymer includes ethylene-derived units in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 2%, 5%, 6%, 8%, or 10% by weight to an upper limit of 20%, 25%, or 28% by weight.
• This embodiment will also include propylene-derived units present in the copolymer in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 72%, 75%, or 80% by weight to an upper limit of 98%, 95%, 94%, 92%, or 90% by weight.
• the ethylene composition of a polymer can be measured as follows. A thin homogeneous film is pressed at a temperature of about 150°C or greater, then mounted on a Perkin Elmer PE 1760 infrared spectrophotometer.
• Comonomer content of discrete molecular weight ranges can be measured by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in conjunction with samples collected by GPC.
• FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
• One such method is described in Wheeler and Willis, Applied Spectroscopy, 1993, vol. 47, pp. 1128-1130. Different but similar methods are equally functional for this purpose and well known to those skilled in the art.
• Comonomer content and sequence distribution of the polymers can be measured by 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C NMR), and such method is well known to those skilled in the art.
• the polymer is a random propylene copolymer having a narrow compositional distribution.
• the polymer is a random propylene copolymer having a narrow compositional distribution and a melting point as determined by DSC of from 25°C to 110°C.
• the copolymer is described as random because for a polymer comprising propylene, comonomer, and optionally diene, the number and distribution of comonomer residues is consistent with the random statistical polymerization of the monomers. In stereoblock structures, the number of block monomer residues of any one kind adjacent to one another is greater than predicted from a statistical distribution in random copolymers with a similar composition.
• a single sited metallocene catalyst is used which allows only a single statistical mode of addition of the first and second monomer sequences and (2) the copolymer is well-mixed in a continuous flow stirred tank polymerization reactor which allows only a single polymerization environment for substantially all ofthe polymer chains ofthe copolymer.
• the crystallinity of the polymers may be expressed in terms of heat of fusion.
• Embodiments of the present invention include polymers having a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, ranging from a lower limit of 1.0 J/g, or 3.0 J/g, to an upper limit of 50 J/g, or 10 J/g.
• the polymers of embodiments of the present invention have generally isotactic crystallizable propylene sequences, and the above heats of fusion are believed to be due to the melting of these crystalline segments.
• the crystallinity of the polymer may also be expressed in terms of crystallinity percent.
• melting point is the highest peak among principal and secondary melting peaks as determined by DSC, discussed above.
• the polymer has a single melting point.
• a sample of propylene copolymer will show secondary melting peaks adjacent to the principal peak, which are considered together as a single melting point. The highest of these peaks is considered the melting point.
• the polymer preferably has a melting point by DSC ranging from an upper limit of 110°C, 105°C, 90°C, 80°C, or 70°C, to a lower limit of 0°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, or 45°C.
• the polymers used in the invention have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within the range having an upper limit of 5,000,000 g/mol, 1,000,000 g/mol, or 500,000 g/mol, and a lower limit of 10,000 g/mol, 20,000 g/mol, or 80,000 g/mol, and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn (MWD), sometimes referred to as a "polydispersity index" (PDI), ranging from a lower limit of 1.5, 1.8, or 2.0 to an upper limit of 40, 20, 10, 5, or 4.5.
• Mw and MWD as used herein, can be determined by a variety of methods, including those in U.S. Patent No.
• the polymer has a Mooney viscosity, ML(l+4)
• the polymers used in embodiments of the present invention can have a tacticity index (m/r) ranging from a lower limit of 4 or 6 to an upper limit of 8, 10, or 12.
• the tacticity index expressed herein as "m/r” is determined by C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
• the tacticity index m/r is calculated as defined in H.N. Cheng, Macromolecules, 17, 1950 (1984).
• the designation "m” or “r” describes the stereochemistry of pairs of contiguous propylene groups, "m” referring to meso and “r” to racemic.
• An m/r ratio of 1.0 generally describes a syndiotactic polymer, and an m/r ratio of 2.0 an atactic material.
• An isotactic material theoretically may have a ratio approaching infinity, and many by-product atactic polymers have sufficient isotactic content to result in ratios of greater than 50.
• the polymer has isotactic stereoregular propylene crystallinity.
• stereoregular as used herein means that the predominant number, i.e. greater than 80%, of the propylene residues in the polypropylene or in the polypropylene continuous phase of a blend, such as impact copolymer exclusive of any other monomer such as ethylene, has the same 1,2 insertion and the stereochemical orientation of the pendant methyl groups is the same, either meso or racemic.
• the triad tacticity of a polymer is the relative tacticity of a sequence of three adjacent propylene units, a chain consisting of head to tail bonds, expressed as a binary combination of m and r sequences. It is usually expressed for copolymers of the present invention as the ratio of the number of units of the specified tacticity to all ofthe propylene triads in the copolymer.
• the triad tacticity (mm fraction) of a propylene copolymer can be determined from a C NMR spectrum of the propylene copolymer and the following formula:
• PPP(mm) + PPP(mr) + PPP(rr) denote peak areas derived from the methyl groups of the second units in the following three propylene unit chains consisting of head-to-tail bonds:
• the 1 1 3 J C/ NMR spectrum of the propylene copolymer is measured as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,504,172.
• the spectrum relating to the methyl carbon region (19-23 parts per million (ppm)) can be divided into a first region (21.2-21.9 ppm), a second region (20.3-21.0 ppm) and a third region (19.5-20.3 ppm).
• Each peak in the spectrum was assigned with reference to an article in the journal Polymer, Volume 30 (1989), page 1350.
• the first region the methyl group of the second unit in the three propylene unit chain represented by PPP (mm) resonates.
• the methyl group of the second unit in the three propylene unit chain represented by PPP (mr) resonates, and the methyl group (PPE-methyl group) of a propylene unit whose adjacent units are a propylene unit and an ethylene unit resonates (in the vicinity of 20.7 ppm).
• the methyl group ofthe second unit in the three propylene unit chain represented by PPP (rr) resonates, and the methyl group (EPE-methyl group) of a propylene unit whose adjacent units are ethylene units resonates (in the vicinity of 19.8 ppm).
• the calculation of the triad tacticity is outlined in the techniques shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,504,172.
• the peak areas based on the 3 propylene units-chains (PPP(mr) and PPP(rr)) consisting of head-to-tail bonds can be obtained.
• the peak areas of PPP(mm), PPP(mr) and PPP(rr) can be evaluated, and hence the triad tacticity of the propylene unit chain consisting of head-to-tail bonds can be determined.
• the polymers of embodiments of the present invention have a triad tacticity of three propylene units, as measured by C NMR, of 75% or greater, 80% or greater, 82%> or greater, 85% or greater, or 90% or greater.
• the polymer has a melt index (MI) of 20 dg/min or less, 7 dg/min or less, 5 dg/min or less, or 2 dg/min or less, or less than 2 dg/min.
• MI melt index
• the determination of the MI of the polymer is according to ASTM D1238 (190°C, 2.16kg). In this version of the method a portion of the sample extruded during the test was collected and weighed.
• Polymers of the present invention are present in the inventive blend compositions in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 70%, 75%, or 80%, or 82%), or 85%o by weight based on the total weight of the composition, to an upper limit of 99%), 95%, or 90% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
• 5,026,798 which have a single cyclopentadienyl ring, advantageously substituted and/or forming part of a polycyclic structure, and a hetero-atom, generally a nitrogen atom, but possibly also a phosphorus atom or phenoxy group connected to a group 4 transition metal, preferably titanium but possibly zirconium or hafnium.
• a further example is Me 5 CpTiMe 3 activated with B(CF) 3 as used to produce elastomeric polypropylene with an Mn of up to 4 million. See Sassmannshausen, Bochmann, Rosch, Lilge, JOrganomet. Chem. (1997) 548, 23-28.
• metallocenes which are bis cyclopentadienyl derivatives having a group transition metal, preferably hafnium or zirconium. Such metallocenes may be unbridged as in U.S. Patent No. 4,522,982 or U.S. Patent No. 5,747,621. The metallocene may be adapted for producing a polymer comprising predominantly propylene derived units as in U.S. Patent No. 5,969,070 which uses an unbridged bis(2 -phenyl indenyl) zirconium dichloride to produce a homogeneous polymer having a melting point of above 79°C.
• the cyclopentadienyl rings may be substituted and/or part of polycyclic systems as described in the above U.S. Patents.
• metallocenes include those in which the two cyclopentadienyl groups are connected through a bridge, generally a single atom bridge such as a silicon or carbon atom with a choice of groups to occupy the two remaining valencies. Such metallocenes are described in U.S. Patent No.
• the manner of activation of the single site catalyst can vary.
• Alumoxane and preferably methyl alumoxane can be used. Higher molecular weights can be obtained using non-or weakly coordinating anion activators (NCA) derived and generated in any of the ways amply described in published patent art such as EP277004, EP426637, and many others. Activation generally is believed to involve abstraction of an anionic group such as the methyl group to form a metallocene cation, although according to some literature zwitterions may be produced.
• NCA precursor can be an ion pair of a borate or aluminate in which the precursor cation is eliminated upon activation in some manner, e.g.
• the NCA precursor can be a neutral compound such as a borane, which is formed into a cation by the abstraction of and incorporation of the anionic group abstracted from the metallocene (See EP426638).
• Resins used in embodiments of the present invention have a softening point within the range having an upper limit of 180°C, 150°C, or 140°C, and a lower limit of 80°C, 120°C, or 125°C. Softening point (°C) is measured as a ring and ball softening point according to ASTM E-28 (Revision 1996).
• the resin is present in the inventive blend compositions in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 1%, 5%>, or 10%> by weight based on the total weight of the composition, to an upper limit of 30%, or 25%>, or 20%, or 18%, or 15% by weight based on the total weight ofthe composition.
• Suitable resins include, but are not limited to, natural rosins and rosin esters, hydrogenated rosins and hydrogenated rosin esters, coumarone-indene resins, petroleum resins, polyterpene resins, and terpene-phenolic resins.
• suitable petroleum resins include, but are not limited to aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, mixed aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated mixed aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon resins, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated cycloaliphatic resins, mixed cycloaliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated mixed cycloaliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic hydrocarbon resins, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon resins.
• hydrogenated includes fully, substantially and at least partially hydrogenated resins.
• Suitable aromatic resins include aromatic modified aliphatic resins, aromatic modified cycloaliphatic resin, and hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon resins.
• Hydrogenated petroleum resins are usually prepared by catalytically hydrogenating a thermally polymerized steam cracked petroleum distillate fraction, especially a fraction having a boiling point of between 20°C and 280°C. These fractions usually are of compounds having one or more unsaturated cyclic rings in the molecule, such as cyclodienes, cycloalkenes, and indenes. It is also possible to hydrogenate resins produced by the catalytic polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons. Before hydrogenation occurs the polymerized resin is usually dissolved in a saturated hydrocarbon solvent such as heptane.
• the hydrogenation catalysts that may be used include nickel, reduced nickel, or molybdenum sulphide.
• Hydrogenation can take place in a single stage at a temperature of 200°C to 330°C, at a pressure of 20.26 to 121.56 bar (20 to 120 atmospheres) for a period of 5 to 7 hours. After filtering off the catalyst, the solvent is removed by distillation and recovered for recycling. An improved hydrogenation process leading to increased yields of high quality hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins is described in EP 0 082 726.
• the hydrocarbon resin has a number average molecular weight (Mn) within the range having an upper limit of 5000, or 2000, or 1000, and a lower limit of 200, or 400, or 500, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 500 to 5000, a Z average molecular weight (Mz) ranging from 500 to 10,000, and a polydispersity (PD) as measured by Mw/Mn of from 1.5 to 3.5, where Mn, Mw, and Mz are determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC).
• the hydrocarbon resin has a lower molecular weight than the polymer.
• compositions ofthe present invention include from a lower limit of 70%, 75%, or 80% by weight to an upper limit of 90%, 95%, or 99% by weight of a polymer described above, based on the total weight of the composition, and from a lower limit of 1%, 5%, or 10% by weight to an upper limit of 15%, 18%,
• the composition has a glass transition temperature by DSC of 30°C or lower, 20°C or lower, 15°C or lower, 10°C or lower, 7°C or lower, 5°C or lower, 3°C or lower, or 1°C or lower.
• the actual glass transition temperature of the blend depends on the composition (the relative amount of the hydrocarbon resins and the polymer) and the glass transition temperature of the individual components. This convergence of the glass transition of the blends from the values of the blend components is described by the Fox Flory relationship.
• compositions of the present invention can further include conventional additives to enhance a specific property, or such additives can be present as a result of processing.
• Additives which may be incorporated include, for example, fire retardants, antioxidants, plasticizers, and pigments.
• Other additives which may be used include, for example antiblocking agents, coloring agents, stabilizers, and oxidative-, thermal-, and ultraviolet-light-inhibitors.
• Lubricants, mold release agents, nucleating agents, reinforcements, and fillers may also be used. Nucleating agents and fillers tend to improve the rigidity ofthe article.
• compositions of the present invention may be modified to adjust the characteristics of the blend as desired.
• compositions of the present invention can be prepared by any procedure that provides an intimate admixture of the various components.
• the components can be combined by melt pressing the components together on a Carver press to a thickness of about 0.5 mm (19.7 mis) and a temperature of about 180°C, rolling up the resulting slab, folding the ends together, and repeating the pressing, rolling, and folding operation about 10 times.
• Internal mixers are useful for solution or melt blending.
• blending at a temperature of about 180°C to 240°C in a Brabender Plastograph for about 1 to 20 minutes has been found satisfactory.
• Still another method that can be used for admixing the components involves blending the polymers in a Banbury internal mixer above the flux temperature of all of the components, for example, at 180°C for about 5 minutes.
• Embodiments of our invention are elastic after tensile deformation.
• the protocol for measuring the elasticity of the sample consists of prestretching the deformable zone of the dumbbell, i.e., the narrow portion of the specimen, made according to the procedure described above for the measurement of elongation and tensile strength.
• the deformable zone of the dumbell is stretched by 200% of its original length to prestretch the sample. This prestretching is conducted at a deformation rate of 10 inches (25 cm) per minute.
• the work, expressed in in.lb. (or joules) is reported as the Energy Loading.
• the sample is relaxed at the same rate to form an analytical specimen which is a prestretched specimen of the original sample.
• the energy recovered during the contraction of the sample is expressed as the Energy Unloading in units of in.lb (or joules).
• the Energy Unloading appears as a negative number to describe energy derived from the sample.
• this cycle of deformation and contraction is referred to as Cycle 1.
• the difference between the Energy Loading and the absolute value of the Energy Unloading is the Lost Energy.
• a useful comparative measure is the ratio of the Lost energy to the Energy Loading, which is expressed as the % Lost Energy.
• a second comparative measure is the distension in the length ofthe polymer sample in the deformable zone at the point in the cycle where the retractive force is zero.
• the change in the length of the deformable zone expressed as a percentage of the original length is the Tension Set.
• Cycle 1 cycle The purpose of this Cycle 1 cycle is not analytical but rather to precondition the sample for the actual analysis which is done in Cycle 2.
• the length of the sample after Cycle 1 is denoted di.
• Cycle 2 the sample is stretched by 200%) of its length immediately after Cycle 1 is completed. This stretching is conducted at a deformation rate of 10 inches (25 cm) per minute.
• the sample is relaxed at the same rate until the contraction force on the sample is zero.
• the length of the sample when the contraction force on the sample is zero during Cycle 2 is d2, and typically d2 is larger than dl.
• Cycle 2 we show data in the tables for energy loading, energy unloading, lost energy and %> lost energy which are measured the same way in this cycle as in Cycle 1.
• the tension set of the sample in Cycle 2 expressed as a percent is calculated as 100*(d 2 -d 1 )/d 1 .
• Hysteresis is used to describe a behaviour of elastic materials where in a single or multiple cyclic deforaiation composed of a uniaxial deformation followed by unaxial contraction, as shown above for the determination of tension set, to essentially the same original dimensions, the material does not display identical dynamic properties in the distention and contraction parts of the cycle.
• Hysteresis properties are quantified using tension set, lost work, and creep. For purposes ofthe present invention, acceptable hysteresis properties are reflected by low values of all three ofthe descriptors.
• compositions of the present invention preferably have simultaneously good elastic properties and low tensile modulus.
• Tensile modulus is a measure ofthe extensional resistance ofthe elastic material.
• a material with a high tensile modulus is hard to deform.
• easy extension of the material is desired, and tensile modulus is therefore preferably low.
• Low tensile modulus is especially preferred in applications such as elastic materials in diapers, because at high tensile modulus values the retractive force may be large enough to cause discomfort to the wearer.
• the composition has a tensile modulus at least 10% lower than the tensile modulus of the polymer.
• the composition has a tensile modulus at 500%) elongation in the range having an upper limit of 1000 psi, or 800 psi, or 600psi, or 500psi, or 400psi, or 300psi, or 200psi and a lower limit of lOpsi, or 20psi, or 50psi, or 75psi, or lOOpsi, or 150psi.
• compositions ofthe present invention preferably have an essentially invariant tensile modulus over a range of extensions, particularly within the range of 100% to 500% elongation. Constant tensile modulus over a range of extensions is especially desirable for elastic materials in diapers and similar applications, because the users of diapers and other materials expect such materials to have a constant retractive force.
• One embodiment of the present invention provides a monolayer or multilayer film including any ofthe inventive compositions described herein.
• the films of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications.
• the films are suitable for diaper applications and similar absorbent garments such as incontinence garments.
• One embodiment of the present invention includes a garment structure made from or including a film as described herein.
• the garment structure is a diaper or an incontinence garment.
• Garments such as diaper backsheets, can be formed by adhering the film to a garment substrate.
• Mooney viscosity is measured as ML(l+4) @ 125°C according to ASTM D1646.
• Tensile and elongation properties are determined at 20 in/min (51 cm/min) according to the procedure described in ASTM D790. The data is reported in engineering units with no correction to the stress for the lateral contraction in the specimen due to tensile elongation.
• the tensile and elongation properties of embodiments of our invention are evaluated using dumbbell-shaped samples. The samples are compression molded at 180°C to 200°C for 15 minutes at a force of 15 tons (133 kN) into a plaque of dimensions 6 in x 6 in (15 cm x 15 cm). The cooled plaques are removed and the specimens are removed with a die and tested after approximately 7 days.
• Tensile Modulus at a particular elongation is abbreviated as M ⁇ o o , where X is the elongation.
• M 5 ooo /0 indicate the Tensile Modulus as 50%, 100%), 200%» and 500%>, respectively.
• Tensile Modulus is reported in units of psi and MPa. The ratio of Tensile
• Msoo% M ⁇ oo% Tensile Modulus at 100%
• Flexural modulus is measured in accordance with ASTM D790, using a Type IV dogbone at crosshead speed of 0.05 in/min (1.3 mm/min).
• MFR at 230°C is determined according to the procedure of ASTM
• Polymers A-H are ethylene-propylene random copolymer having the indicated weight percents of ethylene-derived units, and the balance of propylene- derived units, prepared using a metallocene catalyst system.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending polymer-A with isotactic polypropylene ("iPP”) in the proportions indicated in Table 5, at 175°C-
• Example 2 shows that the addition of iPP into polymer-A leads to increased tensile modulus.
• Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the effect of adding EMPR 103 versus iPP to the polymer composition.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending polymer-B with hydrocarbon resin EMPR 100A in the proportions indicated in Table 8, at 175°C- 225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties ofthe seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 9 and 10, respectively.
• Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the effect of adding EMPR 100A versus iPP to the polymer composition.
• Example 4 Samples 17-25
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending polymer-A with hydrocarbon resin EMPR 103 and iPP in the proportions indicated in Table 11, at 175°C-225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties of the seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 12 and 13, respectively.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending various polymer compositions having different compositions and crystallinities with hydrocarbon resin EMPR 103 in the proportions indicated in Table 14, at 175°C-225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties of the seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 15 and 16, respectively.
• the "polymer type" indicated in Table 14 corresponds to the designations of Table 1.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending various polymer compositions having different compositions and crystallinities with hydrocarbon resin EMPR 100 in the proportions indicated in Table 17, at 175°C-225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties ofthe seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 18 and 19, respectively.
• the "polymer type" indicated in Table 17 corresponds to the designations of Table 1.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending various polymer compositions having different compositions and crystallinities with hydrocarbon resin EMPR 104 in the proportions indicated in Table 20, at 175°C-225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties ofthe seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 21 and 22, respectively.
• the "polymer type" indicated in Table 20 corresponds to the designations of Table 1.
• Polymer blends were made by melt blending polymer-H with various resins in the proportions indicated in Table 23, at 175°C-225°C in a 250cm 3 Brabender internal mixer. The blends were then fabricated into compression molded plaques and tested after approximately 7 days. Mechanical and hysteresis properties ofthe seven samples were measured, and are reported in Tables 24 and 25, respectively.
• TOP AS is a high Tg polymer made with alternating norbornene and ethylene.
• MFR is the ASTM 1238 Procedure A (230°C, 2.16kg)
• Tg and ⁇ Hf US are first melt values
• Flex Modulus is the 1% secant value.

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• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
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