| abstract |
Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet (30) produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites (28) containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes (28) for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes (10), particularly athletic shoes (10). |