A multilayer film having Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) is prepared by first co-extruding a multilayer film, then stretching the multilayer film in the machine direction at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polyethylene resin that is used to prepare the film. At least one layer of the film is a first polyethylene composition having a density of from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc and at least one second layer is prepared from a polyethylene composition having a lower density than the first polyethylene composition. This disclosure enables the manufacture of films having outstanding barrier properties (low Water Vapor Transmission Rate, WVTR, and low Oxygen Transmission Rate, OTR) and good physical properties.

The invention relates to a process for the production of a high strength transparent high density polyethylene article comprising the steps of (i) heating a high density polyethylene (HDPE) to a temperature above the melting temperature (T.sub.m) of the HDPE; (ii) molding the heated HDPE obtained in step (i) to form a hot molded HDPE article; (iii) cooling the hot molded HDPE article to a temperature below T.sub.m to form a melt-crystallized HDPE article; (iv) stretching the melt-crystallized HDPE article to a total draw ratio of at least 5 comprising at least one stretching step of the article at a temperature T.sub.1 below the melting temperature T.sub.m to a draw ratio (DR.sub.1) of at least 2 to form an oriented HDPE article, wherein the HDPE has a melt flow index (MFI) measured at 21.6 kg and 190° C. according to ASTM D1238 of at most 1.5 g/I Omin, an isotropic density measured according to ISO 1 183-1 A of at most 0.955 g/cm3 and a T.sub.m measured according to ISO 1 1357-3 of greater than 130° C. The invention also relates to high strength transparent HDPE articles and products comprising the high strength transparent HDPE article such as ballistic resistant articles, visors, car parts, train parts, plane parts, windshields, windows and radomes.

The present patent application relates to a method of manufacturing a multilayered composite film comprising a step of co-extruding at least three layers (a), (b) and (c), of which the layer (a) forms an outward surface of the composite film; the layer (c) forms a surface of the composite film facing or coming in contact with a good to be packaged; and the layer (b) is disposed between the layer (a) and the layer (c). Further, the method includes a step of biaxial orientation of the composite film thus co-extruded. Therein, the layer (a) contains or consists of a thermoplastic resin. The layer (b) contains or consists of a polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) resin. The layer (c) contains or consists of a resin, preferably sealable, in particular heat-sealable resin. Therein, any crosslinking of the composite film by means of radioactive radiation, in particular by means of beta, gamma, X-ray and/or electron irradiation, is omitted during the manufacturing of the composite film and/or thereafter.

A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.

A semi-aromatic polyamide film having a thermal shrinkage factor in the longitudinal direction of the film, S.sub.MD, of −1.0 to 1.5% and a thermal shrinkage factor in the width direction of the film, S.sub.TD, of −1.0 to 1.5% as measured under the conditions of 250° C. and 5 min, a tensile breaking elongation of 70% or more in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and a haze of 14% or less.

The present disclosure is directed to a film formulation that resulted in a substantially non-migratory cold seal release film with improved blocking resistance. Specifically, the multilayered biaxially oriented polypropylene film can include a core layer of polypropylene homopolymer; a first outer layer on one side of the core layer that can be suitable for sealing, printing, or coating; and a second outer layer on the opposite side of the core layer that is a blocking resistant layer comprising thermoplastic polymers which reduce blocking tendency.

In some examples, a method includes forming a material layer on a substrate, partially polymerizing a component of the material layer, to form fluid-filled droplets within a partially polymerized matrix, deforming the material layer to form anisotropic fluid-filled droplets, and further polymerizing the partially polymerized matrix to form an anisotropic voided polymer, including anisotropic voids in a polymer matrix. The anisotropic voids may include anisotropic nanovoids. Example methods may further include depositing electrodes on the anisotropic voided polymer so that at least a portion of the anisotropic voided polymer is located between the electrodes. Examples may include forming electroactive elements including an anisotropic nanovoided polymer, and devices (such as sensors and/or actuators) including electroactive elements.

In some examples, a device includes a multilayer structure, a first electrode, and a second electrode, where the multilayer structure is located at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the multilayer structure includes a nanovoided polymer layer, and a solid layer. The solid layer may include a non-nanovoided layer. The nanovoided polymer layer may be an electroactive layer. The device may further include a control circuit configured to apply an electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode, which may induce a mechanical deformation of the multilayer.

Methods of forming multimaterial fibers via a thermal drawing process used to produce fibers with controlled compositions and alignments. The multimaterial fibers are usable as feedstock for additive manufacturing printing, as well as other applications that require elongated fibers with improved physical characteristics. The multimaterial fibers are formed from a mixture of low dimensional materials (LDM's), such as metal nanoparticles, and thermoplastic matrices. During fabrication of the fibers, a composite of LDM's and thermoplastics is heated and experiences a pulling force on one end in a direction away from an opposing end, thereby drawing the composite into an elongated fiber. The fiber includes a set of physical properties determined by the LDM's, and is usable as a filament across various applications.

A method of making a self-sealing membrane for a prosthetic implant includes applying tension to a first layer of a cured elastomeric material to stretch the first layer, and while the first layer remains stretched, applying a second layer of an uncured elastomeric material over a first major surface of the first layer. After the second layer is cured, the tension on the first layer is released, whereupon the first layer returns to a non-stretched configuration for holding the second layer in contraction. The method includes, while the first layer remains stretched, applying a third layer of an uncured elastomeric material over a second major surface of the first layer. After curing the second and third layers, tension is released from the first layer, which returns to the non-stretched configuration for holding the second and third layers in contraction.