Patent ID: 6461457
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B29C,B29K,B32B

Abstract:
A method for producing a stretch-thinned elastic article having dimensional stability over time and at elevated temperatures comprising the steps of:melt-processing a thermoplastic block copolymer having a hard phase and an elastic soft phase into an article; conditioning said article at an elevated temperature one of greater than and equal to a glass transition temperature (Tg) of said hard phase of said thermoplastic block copolymer; stretch-thinning said article at said elevated temperature to a desired percentage stretch, forming a stretch-thinned article; and cooling said stretch-thinned article in a stretched state to a temperature below said glass transition temperature of said hard phase of said thermoplastic block copolymer, wherein the cooled stretch-thinned article has a percentage set about equal to the percentage stretch at the elevated temperature, and has stretch and recovery elastic properties.