LINEAR ETHYLENE/VINYL ALCOHOL AND ETHYLENE/VINYL ACETATE POLYMERS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

A polymer comprises a repeating unit of ethylene and vinyl alcohol, characterized by a linear backbone with substantial absence of branching on the backbone. The polymer has a steady state oxygen permeability coefficient substantially independent of the humidity. In addition, a polymer comprises a repeating unit of ethylene and vinyl acetate, characterized by a linear backbone with substantial absence of branching on the backbone and a plurality of acetate groups bonded to the backbone. Some polymers comprise vinyl alcohol or acetate groups that are separated by x-2, x-1 or x carbon atoms, and such groups are present in a ratio of 1:2:1, wherein x ranges integrally from 3 to 12.