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.

A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

An oriented film includes an orientated semi-aromatic polyester layer and a thermally conductive filler dispersed in the orientated semi-aromatic polyester layer. The thermally conductive filler is at least 20% wt. of the oriented film.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a PHA, in particular PHBV, having a molecular weight exceeding 3,610,000 and/or a method for producing such a PHA while controlling the molecular weight thereof. Provided is a copolymer of random copolymerization of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, having a weight-average molecular weight exceeding 3,610,000.

Disclosed is a high strength polyester fiber for a seat belt, and in particular, a polyester fiber for a seat belt, which has intrinsic viscosity of 0.8 to 1.5 dl/g, tensile strength of 8.8 g/d or more, and total fineness of 400 to 1800 denier. A method of preparing the fiber is disclosed. The polyester fiber includes filaments having high strength, low modulus, and high elongation to significantly lower shrinkage, while securing excellent mechanical properties, it is possible to manufacture a seat belt having excellent impact absorption and significantly improved abrasion resistance and heat resistant strength retention, even with a woven density of 260 yarns/inch or less.

The invention relates to a process for producing a biaxially oriented pipe by a) forming a polyethylene composition into a tube, wherein the polyethylene composition comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a second polyethylene selected from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and a combination of LLDPE and LDPE and b) stretching the tube of step a) in the axial direction and peripheral direction to obtain the biaxially oriented pipe.

A composition for forming a heat shrinkable film includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin having an inherent viscosity of 0.50 to 1.2 dl/g, and a polyester based copolymer including a dicarboxylic acid-derived residue including a residue derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a diol-derived residue including a residue derived from 4-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexylmethyl 4′-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane carboxylate represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and a residue derived from 4,4-(oxybis(methylene)bis)cyclohexane methanol represented by the following Chemical Formula 2. ##STR00001##

PLA polymers that can be expanded into microporous articles having a node and fibril microstructure are provided. The fibrils contain PLA polymer chains oriented with the fibril axis. Additionally, the PLA polymers have an inherent viscosity greater than about 3.8 dL/g and a calculated molecular weight greater than about 150,000 g/mol. The PLA polymer article may be formed by bulk polymerization where the PLA bulk polymer is made into a preform that is subsequently expanded at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer. In an alternate embodiment, a PLA polymer powder is lubricated, the lubricated polymer is subjected to pressure and compression to form a preform, and the preform is expanded to form a microporous article. Both the preform and the microporous article are formed at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer.

Described herein are strength characteristics and biodegradation of articles produced using one or more petrochemical-based polymers and one or more carbohydrate-based polymers. A compatibilizer can optionally be included in the article. In some cases, the article can include a film or bag.

A multilayered stretched polyamide film which is biaxially stretched, and comprises three layers composed of a polyamide resin composition and comprising layer B as an easily adhesive layer, layer A as a base layer, and layer C as an easily slippery layer in this order, wherein the film satisfies the following (1) to (4); (1) the layer A contains 50 to 90% by mass of polyamide 6 and 10 to 50% by mass of a polyamide 6 copolymer in which a ratio of a copolymerization component in the copolymer is 3 to 35% by mass; (2) the layer B contains 0 to 40% by mass of polyamide 6 and 60 to 100% by mass of the polyamide 6 copolymer in which a ratio of the copolymerization component in the copolymer is 3 to 35% by mass; (3) the layer C contains 70% by mass or more of polyamide 6 and 0.05 to 1% by mass of fine particles having an average diameter of 0.1 to 10 μm; (4) the film has tensile strength at break of 150 MPa or more both in MD direction and TD direction; and (5) the film has laminate strength of 3.3 N/15 mm or more.