Shrinkable film and articles prepared therefrom which shrink more than 5% when heated to a temperature of 50.degree. C. are disclosed. The shrinkable film is prepared by stretching a polymer film of EPDM or EPM and EVA and talc more than 1.5 times in at least one direction at specified temperatures.
Disclosed herein is a low gauge, multilayer film which may be laminated to other materials such as, for example, fibrous nonwoven webs. The multilayer film may include one or more skin layers which in certain configurations comprise no more than about 15 percent of the overall thickness and in other configurations no more than about 10 percent of the overall thickness of the multilayer film. Such films and laminates have a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, personal care absorbent products, articles of clothing and health care related items such as surgical drapes and gowns.
A composite material adapted for barrier garment applications is made by laminating a film with an amorphous polymer layer to a prebonded nonwoven web under conditions producing laminate bonds corresponding to the prebond locations, and unbonded areas between the bonds while maintaining constant film thickness. The composite has enhanced resistance to viral penetration for use as a surgical gown material, for example, and also desirably has a MVTR of at least about 300 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and a hydrohead of at least about 50 mbar. In use as a component of a protective apparel such as a surgical gown or drape, the composite provides comfort and protection with reduced risk of film damage.
A breathable barrier laminate is disclosed having a first film layer comprising a microporous breathable barrier film; a second film layer comprising a breathable filled film which comprises about 50% to about 70% by weight filler and an amorphous polymer such as an elastomeric ethylene polymer having a density less than 0.89 g/cm.sup.3 ; and a third fibrous layer comprising a breathable outer layer, such as a nonwoven web of spunbonded fibers. The multiple layers can be thermally laminated wherein laminate has a peel strength in excess of 200 grams and a WVTR in excess of 300 g/m.sup.2 /day.
Disclosed herein is a low gauge, multilayer film which may be laminated to other materials such as, for example, fibrous nonwoven webs. The multilayer film may include one or more skin layers which in certain configurations comprise no more than about 15 percent of the overall thickness and in other configurations no more than about 10 percent of the overall thickness of the multilayer film. Such films and laminates have a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, personal care absorbent products, articles of clothing and health care related items such as surgical drapes and gowns.
A thermally stable microporous breathable film is provided comprising at least 35% filler, by weight of the filled-film, and a thermoplastic polymer blend of a first polyethylene polymer and a second polyethylene polymer. The first polyethylene polymer comprises 30%-70% by weight of the polymer blend and can have a density between about 0.86 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.89 g/cm.sup.3 and the second polyethylene polymer can have a density between about 0.90 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.92 g/cm.sup.3. The filled-film can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented to form a microporous film and/or film laminate having good body conformance and which retains a high WVTR at 37.degree. C. and above.
