Multilayer structures

Abstract

A multilayer structure comprising (A) a fabric and (B) a polymeric layer comprising a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) one or more α-olefin monomers and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); layer (B) being free from a substantial amount of tackifier. The multilayer structure has desirable haptics and surprisingly good drape properties. It is useful in many applications, for example as water-impermeable clothes, tablecloths, tents, water-impermeable covers, curtains, artificial leather or upholstery.

1 . A multilayer structure comprising 
 (A) a fabric and    (B) a polymeric layer comprising a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) one or more α-olefin monomers and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); layer (B) being free from a substantial amount of tackifier.    
     
     
         2 . A multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the fabric (A) is a woven or non-woven fabric made of natural or man-made fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the fabric (A) is made of textile fibers.  
     
     
         4 . The multilayer structure of  claim 3  wherein the textile fibers are made of wool, cotton, silk, linen, regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate, a polyamide, an acrylonitrile homo- or copolymer, a polyethylene glycol terephthalate, a polyester, a polyolefin, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the fabric (A) is made of industrial fibers.  
     
     
         6 . The multilayer structure of  claim 5  wherein the industrial fibers are made of glass, boron, carbon, aromatic polyamide, silicon carbide or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the fabric (A) is smooth and tightly woven.  
     
     
         8 . The multilayer structure of  claim 7  wherein an adhesive layer is located between the fabric (A) and the polymeric layer (B).  
     
     
         9 . The multilayer structure of  claim 8  wherein the adhesive is a combination of I) an ethylene polymer having grafted thereto an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an anhydride, ester, amide, imide or metal salt thereof and II) an isocyanate compound or isocyanate prepolymer.  
     
     
         10 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the fabric (A) is non-woven, roughened or loosely woven.  
     
     
         11 . The multilayer structure of  claim 10  wherein no adhesive layer is located between the fabric (A) and the polymeric layer (B).  
     
     
         12 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein said substantially random interpolymer contains interpolymerized 
 (i) from about 35 to about 99.5 mole percent of one or more α-olefin monomers and    (ii) from about 65 to about 0.5 mole percent of one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and    optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s).    
     
     
         13 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein said substantially random interpolymer contains interpolymerized 
 (i) from about 55 to about 95 mole percent of one or more α-olefin monomers and    (ii) from about 5 to about 45 mole percent of one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and    optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s).    
     
     
         14 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein said substantially random interpolymer has a melt index I 2  of from about 0.1 to about 10 g/10 minutes.  
     
     
         15 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein said substantially random interpolymer is an interpolymer of ethylene and styrene or an interpolymer of ethylene, styrene and at least one α-olefin containing from 3 to 8 atoms.  
     
     
         16 . The multilayer structure of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric layer (B) comprises up to about 40 weight percent of one or more further polymeric components, based on the total weight of the polymeric layer (B).  
     
     
         17 . The multilayer structure of  claim 16  wherein said one or more further polymeric components are selected from the group consisting of monovinyl aromatic polymers, monovinylidene aromatic polymers, styrenic block copolymers and homopolymers, interpolymers of aliphatic α-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, interpolymers of α-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and containing polar groups, and blends thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The multilayer structure of  claim 16  wherein said one or more further polymeric components are selected from the group consisting of substantially linear olefin polymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers, low density polyethylenes, linear low density polyethylenes, medium density polyethylenes and high density polyethylenes.  
     
     
         19 . The multilayer structure of  claim 16  wherein said further polymeric component is a propylene homopolymer or interpolymer.  
     
     
         20 . The multilayer structure of  claim 16  wherein said further polymeric component is a low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         21 . A method of producing the multilayer structure of  claim 1  which comprises the step of fixing a polymeric layer comprising a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) one or more α-olefin monomers and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) to a fabric.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said polymeric layer is fixed to said fabric by means of heat lamination, sinter coating, calendering or extrusion coating.  
     
     
         23 . Water-impermeable goods made of the multilayer structure of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         24 . The water-impermeable goods of  claim 23  selected from the group consisting of water-impermeable clothes, tablecloths, tents, water-impermeable covers, conveyer belts, textile constructions, wall coverings, roofing materials, curtains, banners, inflatable goods, artificial leather, container bags, upholstery, shoes, purses or handbags.