Highly filled thermoplastic carpet precoat compositions

Highly filled thermoplastic compositions useful as adhesive precoats for carpets are obtained by blending certain ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers with above 60 wt. % filler and processing oil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to carpet, especially automobile carpet, precoat 
compositions and more particularly, it relates to highly filled hot-melt 
adhesive compositions based on defined ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers 
made with selected telogens blended with processing oil. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Tufted carpets typically have a layer of a polymeric composition on their 
backside. These polymeric compositions are commonly adhesives applied as a 
hot-melt. This polymeric backside layer provides various desirable 
characteristics to the carpet as a whole. Such characteristics will differ 
depending on the type of carpet. Industrial carpet requirements for 
instance are generally more stringent than domestic carpet requirements. 
Automotive carpet has different requirements again. 
While such polymeric hot-melt adhesive layers can be applied directly to 
the backside of the carpet, the properties required of the backside layer 
often require a composition whose flow characteristics do not allow 
sufficient adhesion and `wetting` of the carpet yarn bundles necessary to 
maintain the integrity of the carpet in use. An alternative is to use an 
intermediate `precoat` adhesive layer between the carpet tufting and the 
`main` backside layer. Such precoats are compositions designed to 
penetrate the tufts, wet the filaments of yarn bundles, and at the same 
time adhere to the main carpet backside layer. A precoat must be fluid 
enough to penetrate the bundles, yet have sufficient strength to provide 
good wear characteristics to the carpet. 
Precoats for general carpet use may be any of a large number of polymers. 
Examples of such polymers are given in U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,600, where 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers containing 15-35 weight percent ester 
are described as being especially preferred. Typically, these are 
compounded with wax which serves to lower the viscosity. For automotive 
carpet use, polyethylene and ethylene/vinyl acetate resin alone (without 
filler or other ingredients) have been used. The latter has superior 
adhesive qualities, and is particularly useful when the main layer is also 
based on a composition containing ethylene/vinyl acetate. However, 
ethylene/vinyl acetate resin is relatively expensive to use alone and 
attempts have been made to reduce costs by blending with high levels of 
cheap extenders such as fillers. As much as about 60 wt. % filler may be 
needed to provide an economically viable composition. But, fillers 
increase viscosity and it has heretofore not been found possible to obtain 
highly filled ethylene/vinyl acetate compositions with a suitable balance 
of fluidity and mechanical properties to serve as an adequate precoat. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,936 discloses a backsizing composition which can be 
used without a precoat, and approaches the fiber penetration properties of 
a precoat. The composition is preferably based on ethylene/vinyl acetate 
polymer. However, it may contain only up to 40 wt. filler. It also 
contains at least 10 wt. % wax and also other polymeric components all of 
which are expensive relative to filler cost. 
The main carpet backside layer which provides other use characteristics to 
the carpet may also be based on filled ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers. 
In the case of automotive carpet, for instance, these characteristics may 
include sound deadening and formability to the contours of the car as well 
as the overall `hand` of the carpet. Sound deadening is achieved by using 
a very high filler content which may be as high as 70 wt. % of the total 
composition. Thus, a filled ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer main backside 
layer composition has similar ingredients to compositions which are of 
interest in precoat layer compositions. Useful polymeric compositions for 
the main automotive carpet backside layer are described in U.S. Pat.No. 
4,191,798 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred 
compositions comprise a blend of ethylene/vinyl acetate, processing oil, 
and calcium carbonate or barium sulfate. While these compositions are 
ideal for the overall carpet requirements, they do not provide good 
bonding and wetting to the filaments in the fiber bundles because they are 
too viscous. As a result they cannot be used as the only backside layer. 
Melt indices of these main carpet backside compositions range from 1.79 
to 9.65, whereas much higher melt indices, at least 60, are necessary for 
tuft penetration and wetting. Attempts to use a lower viscosity version of 
such compositions as the only backside layer by utilizing higher melt 
index ethylene/vinyl acetate polymeric components, have not proved 
successful, since properties become inadequate. As a result, lower 
viscosity precoats are generally used as an intermediate layer between the 
carpet tufts and the main carpet backside layer. 
The mechanical properties required of a precoat adhesive material generally 
need not be quite so good as those of the main backside layer. As a 
result, despite unsuitability as a main backside coat, lower viscosity 
versions of such main backside layer composition have also been considered 
as a precoat. Such compositions would have the high filler necessary to 
lower cost, and, because of the overall composition similarity, would 
adhere well to the higher viscosity main backside layer. However, even as 
a precoat composition, such compositions have been found inadequate. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,261 discloses an extrudable, self supporting hot-melt 
adhesive sheet which has a melt index of 10 to 500 and may contain, 
amongst many other polymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer blended with 
2-30 wt. % plasticizer and 20-80 wt. % filler. In the only example, a 
composition with 30 wt. % ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, 55 wt. % 
filler and 15 wt. % oil has a melt index of 76, and moderately good 
mechanical properties. There is no indication the compositions disclosed 
would provide adequate carpet precoat adhesives especially at filler 
levels above 60 wt. %. There is no disclosure that the ethylene/vinyl 
acetate copolymer used was made using any telogen. 
There remains a strong need to provide a low viscosity ethylene/vinyl 
acetate based precoat adhesive which is inexpensive by virtue of very high 
levels of cheap filler, yet has adequate mechanical properties and which 
is especially suited for use in automotive carpets. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides for highly filled, plasticized 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer blends which have better mechanical 
properties than have been available heretofore. The key to the invention 
is the use of a special type of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer which has 
low viscosity and high crystallinity. These are obtained using chain 
transfer agents, (commonly referred to as telogens), which are 
substantially non-incorporating, that is they lower viscosity yet, unlike 
many common telogens, do not become incorporated into the polymer chain as 
a comonomer. As a result, they do not lower the level of crystallinity of 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers. As a consequence, the polymers have a 
higher strength and stiffness than those made with the type of telogen 
which does become incorporated. 
According to the present invention there is provided a composition useful 
as an adhesive precoat comprising a blend of (A) 18-28 wt. % total 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer of at least one ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymer wherein at least 30 wt. % of the total ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymer is a copolymer with a melt index greater than 300 and prepared 
using a substantially non-incorporating chain transfer agent, and wherein 
the average vinyl acetate content of the total copolymer is from 20-32 wt. 
%, and wherein the vinyl acetate content of any one ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymer is from 10-40 wt. %, (B) 4-12 wt. % processing oil, (C) 60-80 
wt. % filler and (D) up to 1 wt. % of an organic fatty acid, wherein the 
melt index of the blend is from 60 to 300. 
Further provided according to the present invention are the above 
compositions in the form of a carpet precoat. 
Still further provided according to the present invention is an automotive 
carpet, its backside comprising a precoat layer of the above composition 
and, a sound deadening main polymeric layer adhered to the precoat layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers are well known as adhesives. Compared 
with polyethylene, copolymers with vinyl acetate have a degree of polarity 
which adds to their adhesive qualities. They are also more flexible than 
polyethylenes. Levels of above 10 wt. % vinyl acetate are generally needed 
to begin to manifest improved adhesivity and greater flexibility. At high 
levels of vinyl acetate such as above 40 wt. %, the polymer become very 
flexible, soft, and difficult to handle. 
Preparation of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers is well known. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,497,941, incorporated herein by reference, describes such 
preparation. The process is essentially a high pressure free radical 
polymerization carried out at temperatures between 130 and 250 C. Melt 
indices up to several thousand may be achieved by use of a telogen. The 
normal action of a telogen is to terminate a growing polymer chain and 
initiate another one. Several of the more inexpensive, effective, or 
convenient-to-use telogens however contain a polymerizable bond, and may, 
to a greater or lesser degree, become incorporated into the polymer as a 
further comonomer. Such is the case with isobutylene, described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,497,941 as a `convenient` chain transfer agent, and which is 
the one used in the only example given. Other suitable telogens listed 
therein include hydrogen, acetone, butyraldehyde, cyclohexanone, butene-1, 
propylene, and butane. Of these, hydrogen, acetone, cyclohexanone and 
butane are examples of telogens which do not become significantly 
incorporated as a comonomer. Butene-1, isopropylene and propylene do 
become incorporated. 
For lower viscosity, that is higher melt index, the more telogen is 
required. As a result, if an incorporating telogen is used, high melt 
index resins will have more of telogen as incorporated as comonomer. For a 
given melt index, the extent of incorporation depends on the relative 
rates of transfer and polymerization of the telogen. These, in turn, may 
depend not just on the particular telogen but on polymerization conditions 
such as temperature, pressure and level of the principle comonomer. 
The exact extent to which a copolymerizable telogen is incorporated as a 
comonomer may vary significantly from one telogen to another. There 
appears to be no reliable data sufficient to predict the tendency to 
incorporate for any potentially copolymerizable telogen within the range 
of conditions under which ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers may be 
prepared. It is quite possible that some telogens which contain a 
polymerizable bond would not incorporate to an appreciable extent under 
some polymerization conditions. On the other hand, telogens without a 
polymerizable bond can be reliably expected not to incorporate. 
Acetone and propane are preferred as non-incorporating telogens. Acetone is 
especially preferred. In the blends described in illustrating this 
invention, acetone was employed as a non-incorporating telogen. In 
copolymers where acetone was not used, propylene was the telogen. 
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymer without further qualification is meant to embrace polymers which 
may be made with either type of telogen. 
When a minor amount of chain transfer agent is used, there is little 
difference in the properties of the resulting polymer whether the telogen 
also acts as a comonomer or not. When lower viscosity, that is to say 
higher melt index, resins are considered, requiring higher levels of 
telogen, it has now been found that property differences can become 
increasingly significant for some telogens. Thus, with ethylene/vinyl 
acetate copolymers above about 250 melt index for example (measured using 
ASTM D1238 condition E), properties of copolymers made with propylene as 
telogen which incorporates, and acetone which does not, are significantly 
different. Even in highly filled blends containing less than 40 wt. % 
polymer, the performance of the blend is affected. This has been found to 
be particularly true in the carpet precoat blend adhesives of the present 
invention. 
One might assume that when a telogen is also incorporated as a comonomer, 
any change in properties could be counteracted merely by decreasing the 
level of principle comonomer, vinyl acetate. However, in the highly filled 
precoat compositions tested in developing this invention, it was not 
possible to reduce vinyl acetate level and counter the effect of 
incorporated telogen. Each comonomer has its own effect. 
In this investigation, it has been found that for suitable precoats, the 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer component, which may contain several 
different ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, must contain at least 30 wt. 
% of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer made with a substantially 
non-incorporating telogen, preferably greater than 40 wt. %, and most 
preferably greater than 50 wt. %. By substantially non-incorporating, it 
is meant that the agent has not become incorporated into the polymer as a 
comonomer to an extent greater than about 2 mole % in the final polymer. 
While such telogens will generally be those which do not incorporate at 
all, it is possible that certain of the potentially copolymerizable 
telogens may, under certain conditions, incorporate to only a very slight 
extent. 
For economic viability, the precoat compositions of this invention require 
at least 60 wt. % of an inexpensive filler. While more filler reduces 
cost, above about 80 wt. % there will be a detrimental effect on 
properties. Preferably the filler level is from 65 to 75 wt. %. Fillers 
suitable for use in this invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,191,798. Preferred fillers are barium sulfate and calcium carbonate. 
Calcium carbonate is especially preferred. 
A plasticizer is also required, both to aid in the incorporation of the 
high filler levels used and to help lower the viscosity. From 4 to about 
12 wt. % plasticizer should be used, preferably from 8 to 12 wt. %. Above 
about 12 wt. %, there will be a detrimental effect on the precoat 
properties. Of the available plasticizers, processing oils are most 
suitable. The desirable qualities in highly filled ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymers achieved by use of petroleum derived processing oils is 
discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,798. Naphthenic and aromatic 
processing oils are especially preferred. Other plasticizers are known for 
use with ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer based adhesives, and these are 
listed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,227. They include phthalates, azelates, 
adipates, tricresyl phosphate and polyesters such as those used in 
flexibilizing polyvinyl chloride, as well as low molecular weight resins 
made form alkylated phenols, phenol modified coumaroneindene, terpenes and 
synthetic terpenes. While petroleum derived processing oils are far 
preferred, the other plasticizers noted may be used. 
The addition of certain organic fatty acids in small quantities can 
increase elongation, while reducing stiffness to a small degree. They can 
optionally be used in the precoat blends of this invention. Up to 1 wt. %, 
preferably 0.5 to 1 wt. % should be used. Suitable organic acids have been 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,258 which is hereby incorporated by 
reference. Preferred acids are palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, dimers 
and trimers thereof, and mixtures of these acids. Most preferred is 
stearic acid. 
The ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer component should have a melt viscosity 
such that when filler and plasticizer have been added, the final precoat 
blend melt index is from about 60 to 300. Below 60 melt index, the 
viscosity is too high to act as an effective precoat and penetrate the 
fibers within the fiber bundles sufficiently. Above about 300 melt index 
it has not been found possible to obtain blends which have adequate 
mechanical strength for precoat use. Preferably the melt index is between 
100 and 250. This melt index depends on the melt index of the component 
polymer or polymers, the amount of filler and its characteristics, and the 
amount of plasticizer and its viscosity. For a given amount of filler and 
plasticizer, it is within the skill of the artisan to adjust the melt 
index of the copolymer component, to achieve the required blend melt 
viscosity. 
It is possible to use either only one ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer or a 
mix or several such copolymers in the precoat composition. If more than 
one copolymer is used, each component may differ in melt index or vinyl 
acetate content or both. If the copolymer component of the blend consists 
of one copolymer only, then it should be one made with a substantially 
non-incorporating telogen. If there is more than one component, then it is 
possible to use as little as 30 wt. % of a copolymer made with a 
substantially non-incorporating telogen, preferably above 40 wt. %, and 
most preferably above 50 wt. %. A mix of very low melt index and very high 
melt index resins may be used. Thus, it has been found possible to mix an 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer with a melt index of 6 made with an 
incorporating telogen such as propylene with a resin with melt index as 
high as 2500 made with a non-incorporating telogen such as acetone and 
achieve satisfactory results. If a mixture of copolymers is to be used, 
then, if any one is made with an incorporating telogen it preferably 
should have a melt index of less than about 100. Minor amounts, less than 
about 5%, of resin made with incorporating telogen with higher than 100 
melt index may be possible. While no upper limit to the melt index of a 
high melt index component of the ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer mix has 
been established, it is generally preferred that such melt index not 
exceed about 3000. 
The vinyl acetate content of the copolymer component of the precoat blend 
is also critical. As previously indicated, increasing the level of vinyl 
acetate in ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers increases flexibility and 
decreases crystallinity. It also improves adhesive qualities. Both 
flexibility and crystallinity influence toughness, but often in a quite 
complex way. It has been found that the average vinyl acetate content of 
the total ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer present should be between 20 
and 32 wt. % for adequate properties. If the ethylene/vinyl acetate 
copolymer is a mix of more than one copolymer, the vinyl acetate content 
of each copolymer can be somewhat higher or lower than the limits for the 
average vinyl acetate content, but preferably should be between about 12 
and 40 wt. %. 
While a single copolymer can be used, it will be recognized that a degree 
of versatility is achieved by blending. Thus, when a moderate stable of 
resins is available, differing in vinyl acetate content and melt index, 
useful compositions can be obtained by mixing without the need for further 
resin preparation. It is not believed that there is a major difference or 
advantage whether a one, two or three component copolymer mix is used. It 
is believed however that if only one ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer were 
to be used, then one made using a substantially non-incorporating telogen, 
with a melt index of about 300 to 500 and a vinyl acetate content of about 
30-32% would be ideal. 
As noted above, in the main backside layer in automotive carpets, filler is 
used for its sound deadening ability. In the precoat compositions of this 
invention, its purpose is primarily to achieve economic viability. It will 
be recognized however, that the filler will act as a sound deadener in the 
precoat in proportion to its content in the precoat and to the thickness 
of the precoat used. Hot-melt precoats and the main backside layer can 
vary significantly in thickness depending on the particular requirements 
of the carpet. While precoats can form a layer as low as 1 oz./square yard 
of carpet, when unfilled ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers are used in 
automotive carpets, typically about 10 oz./square yard are used. With the 
filled precoats of this invention, generally from 10 to 20 oz./square yard 
will be required. The sound deadening main backside layer in automotive 
carpets varies widely. Layers from 20-100 oz./square yard have been used. 
To the extent that the precoat adhesives of this invention contain a sound 
deadening filler, a decrease in the thickness of the main sound deadening 
layer should be possible. 
Preparation of the blends is achieved in substantially the same way as in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,798. The blending of resin or resins, filler, oil and 
optional components is achieved using high intensity mixing at 
temperatures of from 150 to 180 C. A commercial-size Banbury batch type 
mixer is suitable, while a continuous mixer such as a Farrel continuous 
mixer is especially preferred. 
Tensile properties of a blend composition are a useful guide in determining 
its utility as a precoat. In general, the higher the tensile strength and 
tensile elongation of the polymer component, the higher are those of the 
blend. When the tensile elongation of the adhesive precoat blend is below 
about 100%, the composition is unacceptable. Tensile strengths of above 
about 100 psi are also generally required. Flexibility per se. is less 
important, but at a flexural modulus of below about 2500 psi, handling 
becomes difficult. However, there is a general trend towards decreased 
elongation as the flexibility of the blend decreases, that is, when the 
flexural modulus increases. 
The invention is now illustrated in the following examples. Flexural 
modulus is measured using ASTM D791. Tensile Strength, Yield Strength and 
Tensile Elongation are measured using ASTM D1708 at a crosshead speed of 2 
in./min. Melt Index is measured using ASTM D1238 using a weight of 2190 g. 
at 190 C. (condition E). For convenience, EVA and VA are used to denote 
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and vinyl acetate monomer respectively. 
ECC calcium carbonate used was grade CC103 Mfg. by English China Clay Co. 
(America). `Sunthene` Processing Oil is a naphthenic processing oil 
manufactured by Sun Oil Co. `Industrene` B is stearic acid also 
manufactured by Sun Oil Co. `Hyprene` processing oil is manufactured by 
Sun Oil Co. 
EXAMPLE 1 
This example illustrates a blend made using two EVA copolymers as the 
copolymer component of the blend. A blend of the following ingredients was 
prepared using a Brabender batch type mixer, at 150 C. for five minutes: 
13 wt. % EVA made using propylene as telogen with an MI=6 and 28 wt. % VA; 
8.3 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen with an MI=1900 and 19 wt. % 
VA; 8.4 wt. % "Hyprene" processing oil; 0.3 wt. % "Industrene"-B stearic 
acid and 70 wt. % ECC calcium carbonate filler. The blend had the 
following properties: Ultimate Tensile Strength 234 psi, Tensile 
Elongation 535%, Flexural modulus 2900 psi and melt index 70. These 
properties are generally suitable for a carpet precoat composition. 
EXAMPLE 2 
This example illustrates another two component blend but made with 
different resins from Example 1. A blend was prepared as in Example 1 
except that the copolymer component consisted of a mixture of 11.5 wt. % 
EVA made with propylene as telogen, an MI=8 and 18 wt. % VA; 9.8 wt. % EVA 
made using acetone as telogen, an MI=650 and 28% VA. Other components were 
in the same percentages as in Example 1. The blend had an Ultimate Tensile 
Strength of 200 psi, a Tensile Elongation of 210%, a Flexural Modulus of 
4100 psi. and a melt index of 75. This example shows that quite different 
polymer components can be used to achieve useful compositions. Properties 
are well within the acceptable range. The stiffness as measured by 
flexural modulus is somewhat higher, and elongation somewhat lower. 
EXAMPLE 3 
This example illustrates use of a blend of three resins as copolymer 
component. The blend was prepared as in Example 1, and had the following 
composition: 9.14 wt. % EVA made using propylene telogen, an MI=6 and 28 
wt. % VA; 5.19 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an MI=2500 and 28 
wt. % VA; 10.37 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an MI=800 and 28 
wt. % VA, 5 wt. % "Sunthene" 4240 processing oil, 0.3 wt. % 
"Industrene"-B, and 70 wt. % ECC calcium carbonate. Properties were as 
follows. Ultimate tensile strength 139 psi, Tensile Elongation, 402%, 
Flexural Modulus 4768 psi, and a melt index of 83. Note that despite the 
fact that all copolymer components had 28% VA, and hence average VA was 
also 28%, and the blend had only 5% processing oil, stiffness was high and 
elongation good. Except for the constant level of filler, the compositions 
of Examples 1,2, and 3 are quite different, within the limits of the 
invention, yet all have acceptable properties. In this example stiffness 
is higher, even though the average VA content in the copolymer is higher 
than in the previous examples. This is partly a result of using a high 
proportion of resin prepared using a non-incorporating telogen, and partly 
a result of lower oil. 
EXAMPLE 4 
This example shows that even though the blend copolymers are chosen to give 
a much higher melt index in the blend, properties can still be suitable 
for a precoat composition. The blend was prepared as in Example 1 with the 
following ingredients: 7.78 wt. % EVA made using propylene as telogen, an 
MI=6 and 28 wt. % VA; 8.46 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an 
MI=2500 and 28% VA; 8.46 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an 
MI=800 and 28% VA, with filler and oil as in Example 3. The blend had an 
Ultimate Tensile Strength of 148 psi, a Tensile Elongation of 347%, a 
Flexural Modulus of 5105 psi, and a melt index of 224. 
COMATIVE EXAMPLE 1 
This example shows that when the final blend has a melt index greater than 
300, elongation drops drastically. The blend was prepared as in Example 1, 
Blend ingredients were identical to those in Example 4 except for the 
relative amounts of EVA copolymer components. The copolymer components 
were as follows: 3.22 wt. % of the EVA made using propylene as telogen, an 
MI=6 and 28 wt. % VA; 10.74 wt. % of the EVA made using acetone as 
telogen, an MI=2500 and 28% VA and 10.74 wt. % of the EVA made using 
acetone as telogen, an MI=800 and 28 wt. % VA. Melt index of the blend was 
321, Ultimate Tensile Strength was 138 psi, Flexural modulus was 4516 psi 
and Tensile Elongation was only 7%. 
COMATIVE EXAMPLE 2 
This example shows that, even though the copolymer component has a high 
proportion of copolymer made using a non-incorporating telogen, when the 
vinyl acetate level is too low elongation drops below acceptable levels. 
The blend was prepared as in Example 1, with the following ingredients: 
9.76 wt. % EVA made using propylene as telogen, an MI=8 and 18 wt. % VA; 
7.48 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an MI=2500 and 14 wt. % VA; 
7.46 wt. % EVA made using acetone as telogen, an MI=800 and 18 wt. % VA; 5 
wt. % "Sunthene" 4240 processing oil; 0.3 wt. % "Industrene"-B, and 70 wt. 
% ECC calcium carbonate. The blend had an Ultimate Tensile Strength of 230 
psi, but a Tensile Elongation of only 9% and a Flexural Modulus of 9317 
psi. Melt Index of the blend was 85. 
COMATIVE EXAMPLE 3 
This example had as its copolymer component a blend of two resins both made 
with propylene telogen. The composition was as follows: 9.37 wt. % EVA, an 
MI=40 and 28 wt. % VA; 11.93 wt. % EVA, an MI=500 and 18 wt. % VA; with 
the remaining ingredients (oil, stearic acid and calcium carbonate) as in 
Example 1. Melt index of the blend was 178, Ultimate tensile Strength was 
137 psi, Flexural Modulus was 4900, but Tensile Elongation was only 17%. 
COMATIVE EXAMPLE 4 
This example used a single EVA resin made with propylene as telogen. It 
consisted of 24.7 wt. % EVA, an MI=400 and 28% VA. Filler, calcium 
carbonate and oil were the same as in Example 1. Ultimate Tensile Strength 
was 156 psi, melt index of the blend was 278, but, while the resin was 
very flexible with a Flexural Modulus of only 2400 psi, Tensile Elongation 
was 0%.