POLYMER COMPOSITION FOR WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE FILMS

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a polymer composition and a waterproof-breathable film obtained from said composition. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Waterproof and vapor-permeable films are used in various fields such as textiles, construction, agriculture, packaging... These films can, for example, be used as packaging to cover articles or as coatings adhered to the surface of articles.

[0003] In general, breathable films must meet certain requirements, such as a uniform appearance, wind resistance, high water vapor permeability, a degree of elasticity, and the ability to adhere to various substrates. Furthermore, these films must be easily processed during production, particularly by extrusion, without causing deformation. Poor processability results in imperfections such as holes or irregular edges.

[0004] It is known to use compositions comprising polyamide and polyether block copolymers to form this type of film. However, despite high water vapor permeability, the films formed have low stretchability, which causes problems during their extrusion manufacturing, particularly extrusion coating.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of terpolymer compositions, particularly terpolymers derived from ethylenic, acrylic, and butylic monomers, allows for the production of films that are easily processed by extrusion. However, these films exhibit very low breathability.

[0006] US document 2004 / 0029467 relates to a breathable film that comprises at least one polymer (a) selected from the group including an ethylene / alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer (a1), an ethylene / (meth)acrylic acid copolymer optionally neutralized (a2), an ethylene / vinyl monomer copolymer (a3), the mixture (a1) / (a2), the mixture (a1) / (a3), the mixture (a2) / (a3) and the mixture (a1) / (a2) / (a3), and / or that comprises at least one functionalized polyethylene (b); and at least one copolymer (c) having copolyamide blocks or polyester blocks and polyether blocks.

[0007] US patent 5614588 relates to a polymer blend comprising a block polyether amide consisting of 30 to 60% by weight of polyamide-12, polyamide-11, and / or polyamide-12,12 blocks and 70 to 40% by weight of polyethylene glycol blocks; a block polyether amide consisting of 65 to 85% by weight of polyamide-12, polyamide-11, and / or polyamide-12,12 blocks and 35 to 15% by weight of polyethylene glycol blocks; and a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-g-maleic anhydride) polymer consisting of 75 to 95% by weight of ethylene, 5 to 25% by weight of vinyl acetate, and 0.1 to 2% by weight of maleic anhydride. The composition described in this patent is used for the manufacture of water vapor permeable films.

[0008] US document 5506024 relates to water vapor permeable films made from thermoplastic elastomers based on polyetheresteramide and preferably based on polyether block amide.

[0009] US patent 5800928 relates to water vapor permeable films comprising at least one thermoplastic elastomer including polyether blocks and at least one copolymer comprising ethylene and at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate. French patent 2 992 652 A1 relates to waterproof and breathable films used in the textile industry. Comparative example B in Table 1 describes a composition comprising 70% by weight of a PEG-based TPU and 30% by weight of a functionalized polyolefin (Lotryl® < 20MA08), which is a copolymer of ethylene with n-methyl acrylate. Claim 7 specifies that the functionalized polyolefin is selected from the group comprising ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-maleic anhydride acrylic ester copolymers, and ethylene-acrylic ester-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers.

[0010] There is a need to provide a composition that enables the manufacture of films exhibiting both good water vapor permeability and good transformation capacity during their manufacture. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates primarily to a film obtained from a composition consisting of: 75 to 98% by weight of at least one hydrophilic thermoplastic elastomer polymer (hereinafter referred to as TPE) A, selected from (a1) block polyester and block polyether copolymers (COPE), (a2) block polyurethane and block polyether or polyester copolymers (TPU) and / or mixtures thereof, relative to the weight of the composition; 2 to 15% by weight of at least one copolymer B comprising motifs derived from ethylene, an alkyl (meth)acrylate and a comonomer comprising at least one acid, anhydride or epoxy function, relative to the weight of the composition; and 0 to 10% by weight of at least one additive relative to the weight of the composition.

[0012] For the purposes of this invention, polyester-polyether block copolymers (hereinafter referred to as COPE or copolyetheresters) are polyester-polyether block copolymers. They consist of flexible polyether blocks derived from polyetherdiols and rigid polyester blocks resulting from the reaction of at least one dicarboxylic acid with at least one short chain-extending diol group. The polyester and polyether blocks are linked by ester bonds resulting from the reaction of the acidic groups of the dicarboxylic acid with the OH groups of the polyetherdiol. The linkage of polyethers and diacids forms the flexible blocks, while the linkage of glycol or butanediol with the diacids forms the rigid blocks of the copolyetherester.The short chain-extending diol can be chosen from the group consisting of neopentylglycol, cyclohexanedimethanol and aliphatic glycols of formula HO(CH2)nOH in which n is an integer from 2 to 10.

[0013] Advantageously, diacids are aromatic dicarboxylic acids having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms. Up to 50 mole percent of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid can be replaced by at least one other aromatic dicarboxylic acid having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, and / or up to 20 mole percent can be replaced by an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms.

[0014] Examples of dicarboxylic aromatic acids include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, bibenzoic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-diphenylenedicarboxylic acid, bis(p-carboxyphenyl)methane acid, ethylene bis p-benzoic acid, 1,4-tetramethylene bis(p-oxybenzoic acid), ethylene bis (p-oxybenzoic acid), 1,3-trimethylene bis (p-oxybenzoic acid).

[0015] Examples of glycols include ethylene glycol, 1,3-trimethylene glycol, 1,4-tetramethylene glycol, 1,6-hexamethylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,8-octamethylene glycol, 1,10-decamethylene glycol, and 1,4-cyclohexylene dimethanol. Polyester block and polyether block copolymers are, for example, copolymers with polyether units derived from polyetherdiols such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), polytrimethylene glycol (PO3G), or polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG), dicarboxylic acid units such as terephthalic acid, and glycol (ethanediol) or butanediol, 1,4 units. Such copolyetheresters are described in patents EP 402 883 and EP 405 227. These polyetheresters are thermoplastic elastomers. They may contain plasticizers. Examples include commercial products marketed under the names Arnitel®, by DSM, or Hytrel®, by DuPont.

[0016] For the purposes of this invention, polyurethane-polyether or polyester block copolymers (hereinafter referred to as TPU) are polyetherurethanes resulting from the condensation of flexible polyether blocks, which are polyetherdiols, and rigid polyurethane blocks produced by the reaction of at least one diisocyanate, which may be selected from aromatic diisocyanates (e.g., MDI, TDI) and aliphatic diisocyanates (e.g., HDI or hexamethylenediisocyanate), with at least one short-chain diol. The short-chain-extending diol may be selected from the glycols mentioned above in the description of the copolyetheresters.

[0017] Polyurethane blocks and polyether blocks are linked by bonds resulting from the reaction of isocyanate functions with OH functions of polyetherdiol.

[0018] We can also mention polyesterurethanes, which result from the condensation of flexible polyester blocks (polyester diols) and rigid polyurethane blocks produced by the reaction of at least one diisocyanate with at least one short-chain diol. Polyester diols result from the condensation of dicarboxylic acids advantageously selected from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 14 carbon atoms, and glycols (short-chain-extending diols) selected from the glycols mentioned earlier in the description of copolyetheresters. They may contain plasticizers.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the hydrophilic TPE comprises at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, by weight of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the weight of the TPE.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the alkyl (meth)acrylate comprises an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the alkyl (meth)acrylate is chosen from methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate and butyl (meth)acrylate and their combinations.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the molar content of motifs derived from alkyl (meth)acrylate in copolymer B is from 5 to 35%.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the molar content of comonomer comprising at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function in copolymer B is from 0.1 to 15%.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the comonomer comprising at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function is chosen from the anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and preferably is maleic anhydride.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the comonomer comprising at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function has an unsaturated epoxide type function, and preferably is glycidyl methacrylate.

[0026] According to some embodiments, copolymer B is devoid of motifs derived from vinyl acetate.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the additive is chosen from inert colorants such as titanium dioxide, fillers, surfactants, crosslinking agents, nucleating agents, reactive compounds, mineral or organic flame retardants, ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light absorbing agents, UV or IR fluorescent agents, and combinations thereof.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a film from the composition described above.

[0029] The film according to the invention can be prepared by any method which makes it possible to obtain an intimate or homogeneous mixture containing said hydrophilic TPE and a copolymer B according to the invention, and optionally an additive(s), such as melt compounding, extrusion, compaction, or even roller mixing.

[0030] According to one embodiment, TPE and copolymer B in the form of granules can be pre-mixed dry ("dry-blend") before transformation into film.

[0031] The usual mixing and kneading devices of the thermoplastics industry are used to advantage, such as extruders, twin-screw type extruders, in particular self-cleaning co-rotating twin-screw extruders, and mixers, for example BUSS brand co-mixers or internal mixers.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the film manufacturing process is an extrusion process. In some embodiments, the extrusion is carried out at a temperature of 100 to 300°C, preferably 150 to 280°C.

[0033] The process generally includes a stretching step of the composition. The stretching step can be carried out by blow molding. In one embodiment, the stretching step is carried out by coating extrusion.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the stretching step is carried out by flat extrusion.

[0035] The invention also relates to a film obtained by the processes described above.

[0036] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, it provides a composition that enables the manufacture of films exhibiting both good water vapor permeability and good processability during their manufacture.

[0037] This is achieved through a composition consisting of at least one polymer A as described above and at least one copolymer B comprising motifs from at least three comonomers: a first ethylene comonomer, a second alkyl (meth)acrylate comonomer and a third comonomer comprising at least one reactive function in the form of an acid, anhydride or epoxide group; and optionally one or more additives.

[0038] More specifically, this composition consisting of 75 to 98% by weight of polymer A, 2 to 15% by weight of copolymer B and 0 to 10% of at least one additive, makes it possible to obtain films with good water vapor permeability and very good processing ability, particularly by extrusion, and especially by hot extrusion.

[0039] The invention is now described in more detail and in a non-limiting manner in the following description. Composition

[0040] The constituent composition of the film according to the invention consists of: at least one polymer A selected from (a1) polyester block copolymers and polyether block copolymers and (a2) polyurethane block copolymers and polyether or polyester block copolymers; at least one copolymer B comprising motifs from at least three comonomers: a first ethylene comonomer, a second alkyl (meth)acrylate comonomer and a third comonomer comprising at least one reactive function in the form of an acid, anhydride or epoxide group; and optionally at least one additive.

[0041] Polymer A is present in the composition at a content of 75 to 98%, and preferably 75 to 95% by weight relative to the weight of the composition. For example, polymer A may be present in the composition at a content of 75 to 78%; or 78 to 80%; or 80 to 82%; or 82 to 84%; or 84 to 86%; or 86 to 88%; or 88 to 90%; or 90 to 92%; or 92 to 94%; or 94 to 96%; or 96 to 98% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

[0042] Regarding copolymer B, which comprises units from at least three comonomers, it is present at a content of 2 to 15%, and preferably 5 to 15% by weight relative to the weight of the composition. For example, this copolymer B may be present in the composition at a content of 2 to 3%; or 3 to 4%; or 4 to 5%; or 5 to 6%; or 6 to 7%; or 7 to 8%; or 8 to 9%; or 9 to 10%; or 10 to 11%; or 11 to 12%; or 12 to 13%; or 13 to 14%; or 14 to 15% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

[0043] The first comonomer from which this copolymer B is manufactured is ethylene. The ethylene-derived motifs may have a molar content in copolymer B of 50 to 94.9%, and preferably 58 to 79%. This molar content may, in particular, be 50 to 55%; or 55 to 60%; or 60 to 65%; or 65 to 70%; or 70 to 75%; or 75 to 80%; or 80 to 85%; or 85 to 90%; or 90 to 94.9%.

[0044] The second comonomer from which this copolymer B is made is an alkyl (meth)acrylate. By " alkyl (meth)acrylate "We mean alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates. Preferably, the alkyl group of the alkyl (meth)acrylate comprises from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. It may, for example, comprise from 1 to 2; or from 2 to 4; or from 4 to 6; or from 6 to 8; or from 8 to 10; or from 10 to 12; or from 12 to 14; or from 14 to 16; or from 16 to 18; or from 18 to 20; or from 20 to 22; or from 22 to 24 carbon atoms."

[0045] According to certain preferred embodiments, the second comonomer is selected from methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the second comonomer is selected from methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, and butyl (meth)acrylate.

[0046] According to some embodiments, only one second alkyl (meth)acrylate type comonomer is used for the manufacture of copolymer B.

[0047] In other embodiments, copolymer B can be made from more than one second alkyl (meth)acrylate comonomer, for example, two or three second comonomers. For example, copolymer B can be made from ethyl (meth)acrylate and / or methyl (meth)acrylate and / or butyl (meth)acrylate.

[0048] The motifs from the second comonomer (or comonomers) may have a molar content in copolymer B of 5 to 35%, and preferably 20 to 30%. This molar content may in particular be 5 to 10%; or 10 to 15%; or 15 to 20%; or 20 to 25%; or 25 to 30%; or 30 to 35%.

[0049] The third comonomer has at least one reactive function in the form of an acid, anhydride or epoxide group.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the third comonomer is chosen from carboxylic acids or their anhydride derivatives of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and preferably from dicarboxylic acids or their anhydride derivatives of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids.

[0051] Examples of anhydrides of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids include maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. Maleic anhydride is preferred.

[0052] Unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid can also be used.

[0053] Alternatively, the third comonomer may include an unsaturated epoxide-type function.

[0054] Examples include: aliphatic glycidyl esters and ethers such as allylglycidyl ether, vinylglycidyl ether, glycidyl maleate and itaconate, glycidyl acrylate and methacrylate (GMA) and alicyclic glycidyl esters and ethers such as 2-cyclohexene-1-glycidyl ether, cyclohexene-4,5-diglycidylcarboxylate, cyclohexene-4-glycidyl carboxylate, 5-norbornene-2-methyl-2-glycidyl carboxylate and endocis-bicyclo(2,2,1)-5-heptene-2,3-diglycidyl dicarboxylate.

[0055] The motifs from the third comonomer may be present in copolymer B in a molar content of 0.1 to 15%, and preferably from 1 to 12%. This molar content may in particular be 0.1 to 1%; or 1 to 3%; or 3 to 5%; or 5 to 7%; or 7 to 9%; or 9 to 11%; or 11 to 13%; or 13 to 15%.

[0056] According to some embodiments, only one third alkyl (meth)acrylate type comonomer is used to manufacture copolymer B.

[0057] According to other embodiments, copolymer B may comprise units derived from more than one third comonomer, for example, two or three third comonomers. For example, the constituent composition of the film according to the invention may comprise units derived from maleic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate.

[0058] In such a case, the levels of motifs from the third comonomer are given relative to the total of the different third comonomers.

[0059] Preferably, copolymer B does not include motifs from comonomers other than the first, second, and third comonomers described above.

[0060] Preferably, copolymer B is a terpolymer, that is to say, it contains motifs from only three comonomers.

[0061] Examples of preferred B copolymers are: terpolymers derived from ethylene, methyl acrylate and maleic anhydride; terpolymers derived from ethylene, ethyl acrylate and maleic anhydride; terpolymers derived from ethylene, butyl acrylate and maleic anhydride; terpolymers derived from ethylene, methyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate; terpolymers derived from ethylene, ethyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate; terpolymers derived from ethylene, butyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate.

[0062] Copolymer B is preferably manufactured by copolymerization of the different comonomers, particularly those of the high-pressure radical type. For example, the second and third comonomers can be copolymerized directly with ethylene, notably by high-pressure radical polymerization.

[0063] According to certain preferred embodiments, the constituent composition of the film according to the invention, and more particularly copolymer B, is devoid of vinyl acetate motifs. This is because this monomer can have toxic properties. Furthermore, it is not suitable for hot extrusion, which makes film formation from a composition containing motifs derived from this monomer difficult or even impossible.

[0064] Regarding additives, these are optionally present at a weight content of 0 to 10% and preferably of 0 to 5%. For example, one or more additives may be present at a weight content of 0 to 0.5%; or 0.5 to 1%; or 1 to 2%; or 2 to 3%; or 3 to 4%; or 4 to 5%; or 5 to 6%; or 6 to 7%; or 7 to 8%; or 8 to 9%; or 9 to 10%.

[0065] These additives may include, for example, inert colorants such as titanium dioxide, fillers, surfactants, crosslinking agents, nucleating agents, reactive compounds, mineral or organic flame retardants, ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light-absorbing agents, and UV or IR fluorescent agents. Typical fillers include talc, calcium carbonate, clay, silica, mica, wollastonite, feldspar, aluminum silicate, alumina, hydrated alumina, glass microspheres, ceramic microspheres, thermoplastic microspheres, barite, and wood flour. These additives allow for the modification of one or more physical properties of the composition. Movie

[0066] The invention also relates to a film obtained from the composition described above.

[0067] This film can preferably be manufactured by extrusion. Preferably the extrusion is carried out hot at a temperature ranging from 100 to 300°C, and preferably from 150 to 300°C, for example from 180 to 280°C.

[0068] In some embodiments, the film is manufactured by extruding the constituent composition of the film according to the invention onto a substrate. In this case, the extrusion temperature can be, for example, 250 to 300°C. The substrate can be chosen from aluminum, paper or cardboard, cellophane, films based on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), or polyacrylonitryl (PAN) resins, these films being oriented or non-oriented, metallized or not, and treated or not by physical or chemical means, films coated with a thin inorganic barrier layer such as polyester (PET SiOx or AlOx), and woven or non-woven fabrics. When the film is not a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, it is preferably perforated, in particular micro-perforated.

[0069] According to other embodiments, the film can be manufactured by flat film extrusion (“ extrusion cast" of the constituent composition of the film according to the invention. In this case, the extrusion temperature can be, for example, from 180 to 230°C.

[0070] The film according to the invention is a breathable, waterproof film. By " waterproof-breathable ", we mean permeable to water vapor and impermeable to liquid water.

[0071] The film according to the invention can have a thickness of 2 to 100 µm and preferably of 10 to 50 µm.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the breathable waterproof film has a thickness less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm, 30 mm, or 25 mm, preferably between 5 and 25 mm.

[0073] A thickness such as described above provides good water vapor permeability properties.

[0074] Preferably, the film according to the invention has a water vapor permeability (MVTR, for " Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate" of at least 700 g / m² / 24 h, at 23°C, at a relative humidity of 50%, for a film thickness of 30 µm. More preferably, the water vapor permeability MVTR of the film is at least 800 g / m² / 24 h, at 23°C, at a relative humidity of 50%, for a film thickness of 30 µm. In particular, the MVTR permeability of the membrane can be 700 to 800 g / m² / 24 h, or 800 to 900 g / m² / 24 h, or 900 to 1000 g / m² / 24 h, or 1000 to 1200 g / m² / 24 h, or 1200 to 1500 g / m² / 24 h, or 1500 to 2000 g / m² / 24 h, or 2000 to 2500 g / m² / 24 h, or 2500 to 3000 g / m² / 24 h, or 3000 to 3500 g / m² / 24 h, or 3500 to 4000 g / m² / 24 h h, or from 4000 to 4500 g / m 2< / 24 h, or from 4500 to 5000 g / m 2< / 24 h, at 23°C, at a relative humidity of 50%, for a film thickness of 30 µm.The water vapor permeability (MVTR) of the film, at 23°C, for a relative humidity of 50%, for a film thickness of 30 µm, can be measured according to ASTM E96A.

[0075] The invention also relates to the use of a film as described in the present invention in the medical field, hygiene, luggage, clothing, apparel, household or home equipment, furniture, carpets, automotive, industry, in particular industrial filtration, agriculture and / or building.

[0076] The invention also relates to a laminated product (hereinafter laminated) comprising at least one material and at least one breathable waterproof film according to the invention, the material being able, for example, to be chosen from textiles, construction materials, packaging or coatings.

[0077] According to a particular embodiment, the material is a textile material, and said film adheres to at least one surface of the textile material with a peel force in the range of 0.5 to 50 N, preferably from 0.5 to 10 N.

[0078] Advantageously, the film according to the invention is notably applied to a textile material by any known process, preferably without using glue between the film and the textile.

[0079] Examples include the extrusion coating of a film of the composition onto the textile, or the hot pressing (thermo-lamination or lamination with an adhesive) of the film onto a textile or between two textiles, at a temperature sufficient for the film to impregnate and trap the textile fibers.

[0080] According to an alternative or combined embodiment to the preceding one(s), we can also mention bonding using an adhesive joint, preferably an aqueous adhesive joint, i.e. comprising less than 5% by weight of solvent in the adhesive joint composition.

[0081] Preferably, the film has a thickness of between 5 and 50 mm, and preferably between approximately 5 and 10 mm. Advantageously, in the context of an extrusion-coating application, 10 to 50 g / m² of thermoplastic film is deposited on the textile.

[0082] In this description of the invention, the following definitions apply: By "textile material" or "textile" means any material made from fibres or filaments, as well as any material, including paper and cardboard, forming a porous membrane characterized by a length / thickness ratio of at least 300; By "fibre" means any synthetic or natural material, characterized by a length / diameter ratio of at least 300; By "filament" means any fibre of infinite length.

[0083] Among the textiles, we find in particular fiber mats (dressings, filters, felt), wicks (dressings), threads (sewing, knitting, weaving), knits (straight, circular, fully fashioned), fabrics (traditional, Jacquard, multiple, double-sided, multi-axial, 2.5D, 3D), and many others.

[0084] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one textile material is in the form of a porous membrane, a woven textile or a non-woven textile.

[0085] Advantageously, said at least one textile material comprises synthetic fibers, including synthetic fibers obtained from bio-resourced raw materials, natural fibers, artificial fibers made from natural raw materials, mineral fibers, and / or metallic fibers.

[0086] Advantageously, said textile comprises synthetic fibers obtained from bio-based raw materials, such as polyamide fibers, in particular polyamide 11. Advantageously, said textile further comprises natural fibers, such as cotton, wool and / or silk, artificial fibers made from natural raw materials, mineral fibers, such as carbon, glass, silica and / or magnesium fibers.

[0087] Textiles are selected from a variety of fabrics and textile surfaces, including woven, knitted, non-woven materials and carpets. Examples of these items include carpets, rugs, upholstery, surface coverings, sofas, curtains, bedding, mattresses and pillows, clothing, and medical textiles.

[0088] The textile according to the invention advantageously constitutes a felt, a filter, a film, a gauze, a canvas, a dressing, a layer, a fabric, a knit, a clothing item, a garment, a bedding item, a furniture item, a curtain, a cabin covering, a functional technical textile, a geotextile and / or an agrotextile. EXAMPLE

[0089] The following example illustrates the invention without limiting it.

[0090] Films were prepared from different compositions (A to G) in the following two ways in order to evaluate the water vapor permeability and the stability limit (transformation capability) of the films.

[0091] For the evaluation of water vapor permeability: The films were prepared from the different compositions (A to G) by a flat film extrusion process (“ extrusion cast using an extruder with the following parameters: screw diameter: 30 mm; L / D ratio: 25 profile: barrier screw; die: T-shaped, 250 µm wide and 300 µm air gap.

[0092] Extrusion temperatures were between 180°C and 230°C and adapted according to the grade of the copolymer.

[0093] Water vapor permeability MVTR was measured at 23°C, at a relative humidity of 50%, according to ASTM E96A.

[0094] The films obtained have a thickness of 50 µm.

[0095] For the evaluation of processing suitability: The films were prepared from the different compositions (A to G) by extrusion coating on an aluminum (37µm) / polymer support using a COLLIN extrusion-coating line with the following parameters: air gap: 70 mm; screw speed: 80 rpm; die air gap: 300 µm.

[0096] The extrusion temperature was 280°C.

[0097] The films have an initial thickness of 50 µm (which decreases when the line speed is increased).

[0098] To assess the film's stability limits, the line speed was gradually increased from 5 m / min until instability was observed. This instability could manifest as film breakage, one or more holes forming in the film, or an instability in the film's width. These observations were repeated three times to confirm the results, and an average value was then used.

[0099] The film's stability limit corresponds to the speed at which instabilities appear.

[0100] In both cases: The terpolymers (polymers comprising motifs derived from at least three comonomers) used are as follows: [Table 1] Terpolymer 1st monomer 2nd monomer (molar content) 3rd monomer (molar content) Terpo1 Ethylene Ethyl acrylate (29%) Maleic anhydride (1.3%) Terpo2 Ethylene Butyl acrylate (25%) Glycidyl methacrylate (8%) Terpo3 Ethylene Butyl acrylate (25%) Glycidyl methacrylate (5%)

[0101] The following copolymers were used for comparison: [Table 2] Copolymer 1st monomer 2nd monomer (molar content) Copo1 Ethylene Methyl acrylate (25%) Copo2 Ethylene Methyl acrylate (30%)

[0102] The characteristics of compositions A to G are given in the following table: [Table 3] Compositions TPE Polymer (%) Terpolymer or Copolymer (%) A (invention) 90 % Terpo1 (10%) B (invention) 90 % Terpo2 (10%) C(invention) 90 % Terpo3 (10%) D (comparative) 80 % Terpo1 (20%) E (comparative) 90 % Copo1 (10%) F (comparative) 90 % Copo2 (10%) G (comparative) 100 % - H(invention) 90% Terpo 1 10% I (comparative) 100% -

[0103] The TPE polymer used in examples A to G is a commercial COPE product under the brand name Arnitel®< VT 3108, marketed by DSM. The TPE polymer used in examples H and I is a commercial aromatic polyurethane polyether product under the brand name Dureflex®<, marketed by Covestro.

[0104] Compositions A to C, and H are according to the invention and compositions D to G correspond to comparative examples (composition D includes a copolymer B according to the invention but with a higher content than claimed and composition G includes only Arnitel copolymer).

[0105] The results for water vapor permeability and film stability limits (A to G) obtained with compositions A to G are presented below: [Table 4] Movies Stability limit (m / min) Water vapor permeability A (invention) 35 325 B (invention) 41 330 C (invention) 38 322 D (comparative) 50 245 E (comparative) 22 320 F (comparative) 23 315 G (comparative) 17 360 H (invention) 40 300 I (comparative) 25 310

[0106] It is observed that the films according to the invention (A to C, H) exhibit both high permeability to water vapor and good aptitude for transformation (film stability limit).

Claims

1. Film obtained using the composition consisting of: - from 75% to 98% by weight of at least one hydrophilic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) polymer A, chosen from (a1) copolymers containing polyester blocks and polyether blocks, (a2) copolymers containing polyurethane blocks and polyether or polyester blocks and / or mixtures thereof, relative to the weight of the composition; - from 2% to 15% by weight of at least one copolymer B comprising units derived from ethylene, from an alkyl (meth)acrylate and from a comonomer including at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function, relative to the weight of the composition; and - from 0% to 10% by weight of at least one additive, relative to the weight of the composition.

2. Film according to Claim 1, in which the alkyl (meth)acrylate includes an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

3. Film according to either of Claims 1 and 2, in which the alkyl (meth)acrylate is chosen from methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, and butyl (meth)acrylate and also combinations thereof.

4. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the molar content of units derived from alkyl (meth)acrylate in copolymer B is from 5% to 35%.

5. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the molar content of comonomer including at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function in copolymer B is from 0.1% to 15%.

6. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the comonomer including at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function is chosen from unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, and preferably is maleic anhydride.

7. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the comonomer including at least one acid, anhydride or epoxide function has an unsaturated epoxide function, and preferably is glycidyl methacrylate.

8. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 7, in which copolymer B is free of units derived from vinyl acetate.

9. Film according to one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the additive is chosen from inert dyes such as titanium dioxide, fillers, surfactants, crosslinking agents, nucleating agents, reactive compounds, mineral or organic flame retardants, ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light absorbers, UV or IR fluorescent agents, and also combinations thereof.

10. Process for manufacturing a film, preferably a waterproof-breathable film, comprising the extrusion of the composition according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

11. Process according to Claim 10, in which the extrusion is performed at a temperature of from 100 to 300°C.

12. Process according to either of Claims 10 and 11, in which the extrusion is extrusion coating or extrusion casting.

13. Film obtained via the process according to one of Claims 10 to 12.

14. Film according to Claim 13, having a thickness of from 2 to 100 µm and preferably from 10 to 50 µm.

15. Use of a film according to Claim 14, in the medical, hygiene, luggage, manufacturing, clothing, domestic or household equipment, furnishing, carpet, automotive, industry, notably industrial filtration, agriculture and / or construction sectors.