Novel floor-tile compositions comprising plasticized vinyl chloride polymers

Claim 2

A PLASTICIZED SOLID COMPOSITION COMPRISING A PLASTICIZER CONTAINING A HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE OF: A. NORMALLY SOLID THERMOPLASTIC BINDER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF: I. VINYL CHLORIDE/VINYL C2-C4 ALKANATE POLYMER IN WHICH THE POLYMERIZED VINYL CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES AT LEAST ABOUT 70 WEIGHT PERCENT AND THE POLYMERIZED VINYL C2-C4 ALKANOATE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES UP TO ABOUT 30 WEIGHT PERCENT II. VINYLUDENE CHLORIDE/VINYL CHLORIDE POLYMER IN WHICH THE POLYMERIZED VINYL CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES AT LEAST ABOUT 50 WEIGHT PERCENT AND THE POLYMERIZED VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES UP TO ABOUT 50 WEIGHT PERCENT III. VINYL CHLORIDE/PROPYLENE POLYMER IN WHICH THE POLYMERIZED VINYL CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES AT LEAST ABOUT 90 WEIGHT PERCENT AND THE POLYMERIZED POLYPROPYLENE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES FROM ABOUT 10 TO ABOUT 4 PERCENT BY WEIGHT IV. CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE POLYMER HAVING NOT GREATER THAN 5 PERCENT CRYSTALLINITY, A MOLTEN VISCOSITY OF FROM ABOUT 10,000 TO 30,000 POISES AT 190*C AND A CHLORINE CONTENT OF AT LEAST 40 PERCENT BY WEIGHT V. VINYL CHLORIDE/VINYL C2-C4 ALKANOATE/C2-C4 ALKENE RANDOM TERPOLYMER HAVING AN INHERENT VISCOSITY LESS THAN ABOUT 0.5 IN WHICH THE POLYMERIZED VINYL CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES THE MAJOR PORPORTION BY WEIGHT VI. MIXTURES OF SAID POLYMERS B. NORMALLY-SOLID THERMOPLASTIC VINYL CHLORIDE C2-C4 ALKANOATE/C2-C4 RELATIVELY HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT RANDOM TERPOLYMER HAVING IN INHERENT VISCOSITY OF FROM ABOUT 0.5 TO ABOUT 0.9 IN WHICH THE POLYMERIZED VINYL CHLORIDE PORTION THEREOF COMPRISES THE MAJOR PORTION BY WEIGHT, AND C. A FILLER, WHEREIN THE TOTAL COMBINED WEIGHT OF SAID POLYMERIC BINDER AND SAID RELATIVELY HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT TERPOLYMER IS COMPRISED OF FROM ABOUT 25 TO ABOUT 65 WEIGHT PERCENT POLYMERIC BINDR AND FROM ABOUT 75 TO ABOUT 35 WEIGHT PERCENT OF SAID TERPOLYMER, AND WHEREIN SAID FILLER IS PRESENT IN AMOUNTS RANGING FROM ABOUT 200 TO ABOUT 750 PARTS BY WEIGHT PER 100 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF SAID POLYMERIC BINDER AND SAID RELATIVELY HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT TERPOLYMER.

Claim 3

The composition of claim 1 wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer.

Claim 4

The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric binder is vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent.

Claim 5

The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric binder is vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent.

Claim 6

The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric binder is vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight.

Claim 7

The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric binder is chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinIty, a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight.

Claim 8

The composition of claim 3 wherein said copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride and from about 20 to about 5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate; and wherein said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer comprises at least about 75 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, less than about 24.5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and at least about 0.5 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 9

The composition of claim 7 wherein said terpolymer comprises from about 80 to about 90 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, from about 9 to about 17 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and from about 1 to about 3 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 10

The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric binder also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 11

The composition of claim 9 wherein said recurring oxyalkanoyl units have the formula

Claim 12

The composition of claim 9 wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer has a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.2 to about 3 and is further characterized in that at least about 60 weight percent of said polymer is attributable to the recurring oxyalkanoyl unit shown therein.

Claim 13

The composition of claim 11 wherein at least about 80 to about 100 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxycaproyl units.

Claim 14

The composition of claim 12 wherein said polymeric binder is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer, and wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is poly(epsilon-caprolactone).

Claim 15

The composition of claim 13 wherein said copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride and from about 20 to about 5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate; wherein said terpolymer comprises at least about 75 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, less than about 24.5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and at least about 0.5 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 16

The composition of claim 14 wherein said polymeric binder comprises from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of said copolymer, from about 40 to about 70 weight percent of said terpolymer, and from about one to about 10 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer.

Claim 17

The composition of claim 1 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 18

The composition of claim 16 wherein said filler is limestone.

Claim 19

The composition of claim 1 wherein said homogeneous mixture also comprises a small amount of an antioxidant.

Claim 20

The composition of claim 18 wherein said antioxidant is 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Claim 21

The composition of claim 1 wherein said vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer is one in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises from about 50 to about 90 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises from about 50 to about 10 weight percent, having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.35 to about 0.60.

Claim 22

The composition of claim 1 wherein said vinyl chloride/propylene polymer has an inherent viscosity Of from about 0.4 to about 0.7 and the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises from about 90 to 96 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 to about 4 weight percent.

Claim 23

A plasticized solid composition comprising a plasticizer containing a homogeneous mixture of: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 24

A plasticized solid composition comprising a plasticizer containing a homogeneous mixture of: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 25

The composition of claim 22 wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer.

Claim 26

The composition of claim 22 wherein said polymeric binder is vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent.

Claim 27

The composition of claim 22 wherein said polymeric binder is vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight.

Claim 28

The composition of claim 22 wherein said polymeric binder is chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity, a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight.

Claim 29

The composition of claim 22 wherein said copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride and from about 20 to about 5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate; and wherein said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer comprises at least about 75 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, less than about 24.5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and at least about 0.5 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 30

The composition of claim 27 wherein said terpolymer comprises from about 80 to about 90 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, from about 9 to about 17 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and from about 1 to about 3 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 31

The composition of claim 22 wherein said polymeric binder also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 32

The composition of claim 29 wherein said recurring oxyalkanoyl units have the formula

Claim 33

The composition of claim 29 wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer has a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.2 to about 3 and is further characterized in that at least about 60 weight percent of said polymer is attributable to the recurring oxyalkanoyl unit shown therein.

Claim 34

The composition of claim 31 wherein at least about 80 to about 100 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxycaproyl units.

Claim 35

The composition of claim 22 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 36

The composition of claim 33 wherein said filler is limestone.

Claim 37

A plasticized solid composition comprising a plasticizer containing a homogeneous mixture of: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and b. a filler; c. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; and d. said filler being employed in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder.

Claim 38

A plasticized solid composition comprising a plasticizer containing a homogeneous mixture of: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and b. a filler; c. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; and d. said filler being employed in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder.

Claim 39

The composition of claim 35 wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer and wherein said copolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate.

Claim 40

The composition of claim 36 wherein said copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride and from about 20 to about 5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate; and wherein said terpolymer comprises at least about 75 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, less than about 24.5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and at least about 0.5 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 41

The composition of claim 37 wherein said terpolymer comprises from about 80 to about 90 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, from about 9 to about 17 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and from about 1 to about 3 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 42

The composition of claim 35 wherein said polymeric binder also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymeR having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 43

The composition of claim 39 wherein said recurring oxyalkanoyl units have the formula

Claim 44

The composition of claim 39 wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer has a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.2 to about 3 and is further characterized in that at least about 60 weight percent of said polymer is attributable to the recurring oxyalkanoyl unit shown therein.

Claim 45

The composition of claim 41 wherein at least about 80 to about 100 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxycaproyl units.

Claim 46

The composition of claim 42 wherein said copolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer, and wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is poly(epsilon-caprolactone).

Claim 47

The composition of claim 43 wherein said copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride and from about 20 to about 5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate; wherein said terpolymer comprises at least about 75 weight percent polymerized vinyl chloride, less than about 24.5 weight percent polymerized vinyl acetate, and at least about 0.5 weight percent polymerized ethylene.

Claim 48

The composition of claim 44 wherein said polymeric binder comprises from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of said copolymer, from about 40 to about 70 weight percent of said terpolymer, and from about one to about 10 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer.

Claim 49

The composition of claim 35 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 50

The composition of claim 46 wherein said filler is limestone.

Claim 51

The composition of claim 37 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 52

The composition of claim 48 wherein said filler is limestone.

Claim 53

The composition of claim 35 wherein said homogeneous mixture also comprises a small amount of an antioxidant.

Claim 54

The composition of claim 50 wherein said antioxidant is 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Claim 55

The composition of claim 37 wherein said homogeneous mixture also comprises a small amount of an antioxidant.

Claim 56

The composition of claim 52 wherein said antioxidant is 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Claim 57

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good identation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible mixture comprising a homogeneous mixture of: a. normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of: i. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent. ii. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent iii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iv. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight v. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight vi. mixtures of said polymers b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 58

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good identation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible mixture comprising a homogeneous mixture of: a. normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of: i. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent. ii. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent iii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iv. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight v. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight vi. mixtures of said polymers b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 59

The article of manufacture of claim 54 wherein said homogeneous mixture also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 60

The article of manufacture of claim 54 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 61

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good indentation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible homogeneous mixture comprising: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 10,000 to 30,000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and saiD relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 62

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good indentation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible homogeneous mixture comprising: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 10,000 to 30,000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and c. a filler; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and saiD relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer.

Claim 63

The article of manufacture of claim 57 wherein said homogeneous mixture also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 64

The article of manufacture of claim 57 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 65

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good indentation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible mixture comprising: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and b. a filler; c. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer, and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; and d. said filler being employed in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder.

Claim 66

As an article of manufacture, plasticized floor tile having very low water absorption, good light resistance, and good indentation resistance and which is manufactured from a processible mixture comprising: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; and b. a filler; c. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer, and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; and d. said filler being employed in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder.

Claim 67

The article of manufacture of claim 60 wherein said polymeric binder also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally solid thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 68

The article of manufacture of claim 61 wherein said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer has a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.2 to about 3 and is further characterized in that at least about 60 weight percent of said polymer is attributable to recurring oxycaproyl units; wherein said copolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate; and wherein said terpolymer is vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/ethylene terpolymer.

Claim 69

The article of manufacture of claim 62 wherein said polymeric binder comprises from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of said copolymer, from about 40 to about 70 weight percent of said terpolymer, and from about one to about 10 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer.

Claim 70

The article of manufacture of claim 63 wherein said filler is a non-fibrous filler.

Claim 71

The article of manufacture of claim 63 wherein said mixture also comprises a small amount of an antioxidant.

Claim 72

The article of manufacture of claim 65 wherein said antioxidant is 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Claim 73

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptaBle for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F which comprises: a. normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of: i. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent ii. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent iii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iv. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight v. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight vi. mixtures of said polymers b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; c. a filler; and d. a plasticizer; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer, and thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 74

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptaBle for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F which comprises: a. normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of: i. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent ii. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent iii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iv. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 1000 to 3000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight v. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight vi. mixtures of said polymers b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4alkene relatively high molecular weight terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; c. a filler; and d. a plasticizer; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer, and thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 75

The process of claim 67 wherein said homogeneous mixture also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic alkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 76

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptable for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F which comprises: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 10,000 to 30,000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; c. a filler; and d. a plasticizer; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer, and thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 77

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptable for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F which comprises: a. a mixture of normally solid vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent and one or more normally solid thermoplastic polymeric binder resins selected from among: i. vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 50 weight percent and the polymerized vinylidene chloride portion thereof comprises up to about 50 weight percent ii. vinyl chloride/propylene polymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 90 weight percent and the polymerized polypropylene portion thereof comprises from about 10 percent to about 4 percent by weight iii. chlorinated polyethylene polymer having not greater than 5 percent crystallinity a molten viscosity of from about 10,000 to 30,000 poises at 190*C and a chlorine content of at least 40 percent by weight and iv. vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity less than about 0.5 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major proportion by weight b. normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene relatively high molecular weight random terpolymer having an inherent viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 0.9 in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; c. a filler; and d. a plasticizer; wherein the total combined weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer is comprised of from about 25 to about 65 weight percent polymeric binder and from about 75 to about 35 weight percent of said terpolymer; and wherein said filler is present in amounts ranging from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder and said relatively high molecular weight terpolymer, and thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 78

The process of claim 69 wherein said homogeneous mixture also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic alkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity value of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 79

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptable for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture comprising: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; b. a filler; and c. a plasticizer; d. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer, and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; e. said filler comprising from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder; f. said homogeneous mixture being formed at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F; and g. thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 80

A process for producing non-asbestos containing plasticized vinyl sheet using equipment adaptable for producing asbestos-containing sheet which comprises forming a homogeneous mixture comprising: a. polymeric binder comprising (i) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate copolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises at least about 70 weight percent and the polymerized vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate portion thereof comprises up to about 30 weight percent; and (ii) normally-solid thermoplastic vinyl chloride/vinyl C2-C4 alkanoate/C2-C4 alkene terpolymer in which the polymerized vinyl chloride portion thereof comprises the major portion by weight; b. a filler; and c. a plasticizer; d. said polymeric binder comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of said copolymer, and from about 35 to about 75 weight percent of said terpolymer; e. said filler comprising from about 200 to about 750 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymeric binder; f. said homogeneous mixture being formed at a temperature of from about 250* to about 375*F; and g. thereafter milling and calendering said homogeneous mixture into fused plasticized vinyl sheets.

Claim 81

The process of claim 71 wherein said polymeric binder also contains from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of a normally-solid thermoplastic alkanoyl polymer having a reduced viscosity valuE of at least about 0.1 and which is further characterized in that at least about 50 weight percent of said thermoplastic oxyalkanoyl polymer is attributable to recurring oxyalkanoyl units of the formula

Claim 82

The process of claim 72 wherein said mixture also comprises a small amount of a hindered phenol.