Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc.

Ppg Industries, Inc.

James L Boyer

Luciano M Parrinello

Robert G Swisher

Thomas G Krivak

Carol L Knox

Christine Gardner

Charles R Coleman

Paul L Benenati

Narayan K Raman

Robert C Wang

Harold E Swift

Jun Deng

Timothy A Okel

Laurence E Jones

Yi J Warburton

Christine Gardenr

Joseph P Kovacs

Pamela L Campbell

Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Microporous material

The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise:

Microporous material having degradation properties and articles prepared therefrom

Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, optionally the at least one taggant being unique to an end user for the microporous material, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Microporous material containing a security feature

Provided is a microporous material including a polyolefin matrix material; finely divided, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix material, where the filler includes a positive amount of titanium dioxide; a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material; and optionally, a contrasting enhancing amount of a contrast enhancing material. The sum of the weight percent of the titanium dioxide and the weight percent of the optional contrast enhancing material is at least 3 weight percent based on total weight of the microporous material. Multilayer articles having a layer of the microporous material also are provided.

Laser markable microporous material

Provided is a method of producing a microporous sheet material of a polymeric matrix of polyolefin, with finely divided and substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The method includes: (a) forming a mixture of polyolefin, filler and a processing plasticizer composition; (b) extruding the mixture to form a continuous sheet; and (c) contacting the continuous sheet with a non-flammable extraction fluid composition to extract the processing plasticizer composition from the continuous sheet. The extraction fluid has a boiling point of 75&#xb0; C. or less, and is essentially free of trichloroethylene. The microporous sheet material has Tensile Strength equal to or greater than 800 kPa. A microporous sheet material also is provided.

Method for producing microporous sheet

The present invention is related to treated filler and processes for producing said treated filler. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and, optionally, a coupling material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Treated filler and process for producing

Amorphous precipitated silica which may be used to form battery separators of very low specific resistance is characterized by (a) a CTAB surface area in the range of from 140 to 185 m.sup.2 /g; (b) a DBP oil absorption in the range of from 210 to 310 cm.sup.3 /100 g; (c) a mean ultimate particle size in the range of from 10 to 18 nm; (d) a total intruded volume in the range of from 2.6 to 4 cm.sup.3 /g; and (e) an intruded volume in the range of from 0.9 to 2 cm.sup.3 /g for pores having diameters in the range of from 20 to 100 nm.

Amorphous precipitated silica

Amorphous precipitated silica which may be used to form battery separators of very low shrinkage is characterized by (a) a BET surface area in the range of from 60 to 200 m.sup.2 /g; (b) a CTAB surface area in the range of from 40 to 150 m.sup.2 /g; (c) a DBP oil absorption in the range of from 180 to 300 cm.sup.3 /100 g; (d) a mean ultimate particle size in the range of from 20 to 30 nm; (e) a total intruded volume in the range of from 2.5 to 4 cm.sup.3 /g; (f) an intruded volume in the range of from 0.3 to 1.2 cm.sup.3 /g for pores having diameters in the range of from 20 to 100 nm; and (g) a pore diameter at the maximum of the volume pore size distribution function in the range of from 30 to 200 nm.

Particles comprising particulate amorphous precipitated silica in association with from 5 to 10 percent by weight sodium sulfate and less than 10 percent by weight water, wherein the percentages are based on the weight of the silica, the sodium sulfate, and the water, which particles have a BET surface area of from 100 to 300 m.sup.2 /g, a total intruded volume from 1.8 to 3.6 cm.sup.3 /g, and a DBP oil absorption of from 180 to 320 cm.sup.3 /100 g, may be employed in microporous battery separators to introduce all or a portion of the desired sodium sulfate to the battery electrolyte. Moreover the enhanced amount of sodium sulfate enhances silica characteristics and battery separator production.

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Monroeville, PA, United States of America

James L Boyer