Microlayer structures and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An elongated member, comprising:
- at least 10 stacked and coextruded polymer layers that each are continuous in profile and include a polyolefinic polymer, each layer having a thickness less than about 50 microns, and at least two adjoining layers differ relative to their peak melting temperature and differ in their molecular orientation, and wherein the member is prepared by drawing at a draw ratio of greater than 18 wherein the drawing includes a step of stretching at a temperature above the melting point of one of the adjoining layers and below the melting point of the other adjoining layer.
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Abstract
Improved microlayer structures and methods typically employing at least 4 stacked layers of polymers (e.g., including alternating layers of components A and B), such as that obtained by coextrusion. The layers each have a thickness of less than about 50 microns. One optional approach involves forming an intermediate form that includes at least one elongated member made from the plurality of layers, from which a shaped composite article may be made.
92 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An elongated member, comprising:
- at least 10 stacked and coextruded polymer layers that each are continuous in profile and include a polyolefinic polymer, each layer having a thickness less than about 50 microns, and at least two adjoining layers differ relative to their peak melting temperature and differ in their molecular orientation, and wherein the member is prepared by drawing at a draw ratio of greater than 18 wherein the drawing includes a step of stretching at a temperature above the melting point of one of the adjoining layers and below the melting point of the other adjoining layer.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An elongated member comprising at least 9 stacked and coextruded polymer layers that are continuous in profile and include at least 5 component A microlayers, and a component B microlayer interposed between each pair of adjacent component A microlayers, wherein each microlayer has a thickness less than about 50 microns, the component A microlayers and the component B microlayers have peak melting temperatures that differ by at least 5°
- C., the adjoining A and B microlayers differ in molecular orientation, the component A microlayers include an ethylene-based polymer or a propylene-based polymer, the component B microlayers include an ethylene-based polymer or a propylene-based polymer, the elongated member is prepared by drawing at a draw ratio of greater than 18, wherein the drawing includes a step of drawing at a temperature above the melting point of one of components A and B and below the melting point of the other component.
Specification