HOT MELT ADHESIVE ARTICLES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/067,466 filed on August 19, 2020, entitled "HOT MELT ADHESIVE ARTICLES", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention is in the field of polymeric materials and compositions and uses thereof as hot melt adhesives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] The field of hot melt adhesives is a growing filed due to their relatively low processing costs and handling. The main advantages of hot melts are that they provide a fast method of bonding, are generally fast setting, therefore allowing high production speeds. Professionally applicable hot melt adhesives, specifically moisture-curable adhesives, usually include cross -linkable polymers having moisture-curable functional groups grafted to a polymeric backbone. Upon melting, the moisture-curable functional groups undergo reaction with air moisture, to obtain a cross-linked thermoset adhesive. Moisture-curable adhesives further contain a catalyst to enhance cross-linking efficiency of the cross -linkable polymers, thus increasing adhesive strength and simultaneously reducing hardening time of the resulting thermoset adhesive. To this end, moisture-curable adhesives are characterized by an unprecedented adhesion strength and fast adhesion time, as compared to non-cross linkable thermoplastic hot melt adhesives.

[004] However, the moisture-curable adhesives are stored in moisture-impermeable sealed aluminum containers, as they are moisture sensitive and may react with atmospheric water vapors, resulting in premature cross-linking and reduced adhesion capability. Furthermore, the moisture-curable hot melt adhesives are usually packaged under an inert atmosphere and has to be utilized immediately after opening. Thus, conventional moisture- curable hot melt adhesives require expensive manufacturing procedures, have a limited shelf-life and are difficult to handle.

[005] Accordingly, there is a need for new manageable moisture-curable adhesives, which do not require expensive manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, it is of great advantage to provide moisture-curable adhesives characterized by increased shelf-life, and by uncompromised adhesion strength, together with sufficient elasticity and heat resistance of the resulting thermoset adhesive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an article comprising a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises a moisture curable polymer, the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a catalyst, and a weight per weight (w/w) concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is at least 15%, at least 30% or at least 50%.

[007] In some embodiments, the core, the shell or both comprise at least two layers.

[008] In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises 0.01% to 10% (w/w) of the catalyst.

[009] In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises 0.1% to 50% (w/w) of the thermoplastic polymer.

[010] In some embodiments, the ratio of the moisture curable polymer to the thermoplastic polymer is between 1:1 and 1:0.01 (w/w).

[Oi l] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer comprises a monomer selected from ethylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene, isoprene, methacrylate, vinyl acetate or higher esters thereof, or any combination thereof.

[012] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyolefin copolymer, polystyrene, polyolefine, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), atactic poly- a-olefin (APAO), poly(meth)acrylate (PMA), and syndiotactic polypropylene (SPP) including any derivative or copolymer thereof.

[013] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises a functional group selected from vinyl alkoxysilane, silyl acetate, silyl halide, silanol, aminosilane, aminoalkoxysilane, alkoxysilane, acetoxy silane, acyloxy silane, alkylthio silane, silazane, sulfenyl silane, oximatosilane, mercaptosilane, or any combination thereof.

[014] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer is selected from the group consisting of: functionalized polyethylene, functionalized polyolefin, functionalized poly(meth)acrylate, and functionalized polyurethane.

[015] In some embodiments, the catalyst comprises a metal compound, a tertiary amine, an acid or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the shell provides a moisture barrier for the core. [016] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer have substantially the same melting point.

[017] In some embodiments, the melting point is between 70 °C and 200 °C.

[018] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer have substantially the same viscosity in a molten state.

[019] In some embodiments, the viscosity is between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs when measured at 190°C.

[020] In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is between 0.01 mm and 10 mm.

[021] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is in a form of a cylinder, a rod, a rectangle, a stick, a wire, a pellet, a block, and a rope.

[022] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is characterized by having at least one dimension of 1 mm to 50 mm.

[023] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is characterized by a stability of at least 100 days.

[024] In another aspect, there is provided a kit, comprising: (i) the article or the composition of the present invention, and (ii) a heating apparatus.

[025] In some embodiments, the heating apparatus comprises a heating portion, further comprising an inlet opening shaped to receive the article or the composition in a solid state, a heater for melting the article, and an outlet opening for injecting the article or the composition in a molten state outside the apparatus.

[026] In some embodiments, the heating apparatus further comprises a control unit configured to maintain the temperature of the heater at a predefined temperature.

[027] In some embodiments, the predefined temperature is a temperature of not more than 10°C above the melting point of the article.

[028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

[029] Further embodiments and the full scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[030] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below. [031] Figure 1 is a cross-section view of a non-limiting illustration of an exemplary article of the invention.

[032] Figure 2 is a side view of a non-limiting illustration of an exemplary article of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[033] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, is directed to a composition or an article comprising a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises a moisture curable adhesive polymer and the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer, in an amount sufficient for providing a moisture barrier. In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises a core and a shell substantially enclosing the core, wherein the core comprises a moisture curable polymer and the shell comprises the thermoplastic polymer and a sufficient amount of a catalyst.

[034] According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a kit, comprising the article or the composition described herein and a heating apparatus. In some embodiments, the adhesive material of the present invention is devoid of an expensive moisture-tight seal, and at the same time, is characterized by increased shelf life and by reduced manufacturing costs, as compared to the commercial hot-melt adhesives. In some embodiments, the adhesive material disclosed herein, is substantially devoid of premature cross-linking during storage and/or application, thus substantially maintaining the initial adhesion strength upon prolonged storage.

[035] The invention, in some embodiments thereof, is based on a surprising finding that a hot-melt adhesive material (e.g. in a form of a stick) composed of: (i) at least 50% by weight of a core comprising a moisture curable polymer, and (ii) an outer moisture barrier layer (or shell) in contact with the core and comprising an inert thermoplastic polymer, and further comprising a sufficient amount of a catalyst; is characterized by an uncompromised shelf-life and adhesion strength, as compared to commercial moisture-curable polymers. Moreover, it has been found by the inventors that exemplary articles comprising more than 30% by weight of the shell, at least 15% by weight of the moisture curable polymer, and at least 0.001% by weight of a suitable catalyst, are characterized by adhesion strength, heat resistance, and by mechanical properties (e.g. elasticity, compression set, etc.) sufficient for utilization thereof as hot- melt adhesive materials.

The article I composition

[036] In one aspect, the present invention provides an adhesive article or an adhesive composition comprising a core in contact with or bound to a shell comprising a chemically inert thermoplastic polymer, wherein a weight per weight (w/w) portion of the core within article or the composition is at least 50%, at least 45%, at least 40%, at least 35%, at least 30%, including any range between; and wherein the core comprises a moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer capable of stably binding to the core (e.g. to the moisture curable polymer). In some embodiments, the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a catalyst, wherein a w/w concentration of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is a solid at a temperature below 70°C, below 60°C, below 50°C, below 40°C, below 30°C, below 20°C, including any range between. In some embodiments, the article or the composition of the invention is meltable and is characterized by a melting point (or by softening point) of between 80 and 170°C, or of between 100 and 170°C, specifically of between 100 and 170°C, including any range between. In some embodiments, the article or the composition of the invention is flowable in a molten state.

[037] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is a layered article comprising a core (e.g. an inner layer) comprising a moisture curable polymer, and the core is bound to a shell (e.g. an outer layer) comprising a chemically inert thermoplastic polymer, wherein a w/w portion of the core within article or the composition is at least 50%; wherein the article is an extruded article having any three-dimensional shape (e.g. in a form of a cylinder, a torus, a cube, a prism, a cuboid), and wherein a w/w portion of the moisture curable polymer within the article is at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, including any range between.

[038] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is a multi-layered meltable adhesive article comprising the core (e.g. an inner layer) bound to a substantially water impermeable shell (e.g. an outer layer), wherein the core comprises the moisture curable polymer; and wherein the shell comprises a chemically inert thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst; wherein: (i) a weight portion (and/or a volume portion) of the core within the article of invention is at least 50%, (ii) a weight portion of the catalyst within the shell is sufficient for inducing cross-linking (or curing) of the moisture curable polymer upon contact with water and/or moisture, and wherein a weight portion of the shell within the article of invention is sufficient for providing a moisture barrier to the core.

Core

[039] In some embodiments, the core of the article of the invention comprises a moisture curable polymer at an amount sufficient for forming an adhesive material (e.g. hot melt adhesive, as described herein) having a sufficient adhesive strength. In some embodiments, a weight per weight (w/w) concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the core is between 30 and 100%, between 30 and 40%, between 30 and 50%, between 50 and 60%, between 60 and 70%, between 70 and 80%, between 80 and 90%, between 90 and 92%, between 92 and 95%, between 95 and 97%, between 97 and 99%, between 99 and 99.1%, between 99.1 and 99.9%, between 99.9 and 100%, including any range between.

[040] In some embodiments, the adhesive strength of the adhesive described herein, is predetermined by the concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the core and/or within the article of the invention. In some embodiments, the adhesive strength of the adhesive is further predetermined by the concentration of the catalyst within the shell and/or within the article of the invention, and optionally by the w/w ratio between the moisture curable polymer and the catalyst, as described herein.

[041] In some embodiments, the term “moisture curable polymer” refers to a polymer or prepolymer formulated to cure with moisture in the atmosphere, e.g., air, moisture or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, moisture curable polymer comprises silane functional groups. In some embodiments, the functional groups are located pendant, terminal, or a combination thereof to the polymer backbone.

[042] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer is a low MW polymer, a medium MW polymer, or a high MW polymer. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer has a MW of at least 5.000 Da, at least 10.000 Da, at least 11.000 Da, at least 15.000 Da, at least 20.000 Da, at least 50.000 Da, including any range between.

[043] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer has a MW of between 4000 and 100.000 Da, between 4000 and 5.000 Da, between 5000 and 10.000 Da, between 10.000 and 20.000 Da, between 20.000 and 50.000 Da, between 50.000 and 100.000 Da, between 100.000 and 300.000 Da, between 300.000 and 500.000 Da, or more, including any range between. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer has a polydispersity index of between 1.5 and 3, between 1.5 and 4, between 2 and 3, between 2 and 4 including any range between. One skilled in the art will appreciate, that the MW of the polymer (either the thermoplastic polymer and/or the moisture curable polymer of the invention) substantially predetermines the viscosity and MFI of the flowing composition. Accordingly, it may be preferential to use polymers having MW so as to result in a flowing composition having MFI as described herein (between 50 and 3000).

[044] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer is or comprises a co-polymer. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer is or comprises a graft co-polymer. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises a plurality of moisture-curable functional groups grafted to a polymeric backbone, wherein the polymeric backbone is as described herein. In some embodiments, the terms “moisture-curable functional group” and “functional group” are used herein interchangeably.

[045] In some embodiments, the functional group is capable of reacting with water or water vapors (moisture). In some embodiments, the functional group is a hydrolysable group (e.g. capable of undergoing hydrolysis upon contact with water).

[046] Hydrolysable groups are well-known in the art and include inter alia ester, thioester, isothiocyanate, isocyanate, carbodiimide, carbamate; RSi(Ri)3 wherein R represents an aliphatic chain, or is absent and each R1 is independently selected from Cl- C5 alkoxy, amino, halo (e.g. chloro, bromo, iodo), carboxy (e.g. attached to Si via oxygen atom), C1-C5 thioalkoxy, H, and C1-C5 alkyl, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments the hydrolysable group represented by Formula: RSi(Ri)3, is referred to herein as the reactive silane group.

[047] In some embodiments, the functional groups undergo cross-linking (e.g. intermolecular and/or inter molecular) upon contact with of the with water or water vapors, thus resulting in a cross-linked polymeric network. In some embodiments, the cross-linked polymeric network also refers to herein, as the “cured polymer” or “cured adhesive”. In some embodiments, the cured polymer stably adheres at least two substrate surfaces. In some embodiments, the cured polymer is a thermoset polymer.

[048] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises a functional group selected from silyl halide, silanol, aminosilane, aminoalkoxysilane, thioalkoxysilane, alkoxysilane, acetoxysilane, acyloxy silane, alkylthio silane, silazane, oximatosilane, including any derivative or any combination thereof. [049] In some embodiments, a derivative of the functional group encompasses any salt thereof. In some embodiments, a derivative of the functional group encompasses a chemical derivative, such as a conjugate, a tautomer, or both.

[050] Various moisture curable polymers are well-known in the art. The moisture curable polymers are usually synthesized by reacting (or grafting) a polymeric backbone (comprising reactive groups, such as unsaturated bonds) with a precursor of the functional group, to obtain a plurality of functional groups grafted to the polymeric backbone. In some embodiments, a precursor of the functional group is grafted to the polymeric backbone via a radical addition reaction.

[051] In some embodiments, a precursor of the functional group (e.g. vinyl alkoxysilane, and/or alkoxysilane acrylate such as: vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, 3- (trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof) refers inter alia to a compound bearing (i) an unsaturated moiety capable of reacting with the reactive group of the polymeric backbone, and (ii) the hydrolysable group.

[052] In some embodiments, a precursor of the functional group comprises an unsaturated moiety such as a vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, cyclohexenyl or (meth) acrylate group, and a hydrolyzable group, as described herein (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, formyloxy, acetoxy, proprionyloxy, and alkyl or arylamino groups).

[053] In some embodiments, a precursor of the functional group comprises an unsaturated alkoxy silane, an unsaturated amino silane, an unsaturated halo silane, or a combination thereof.

[054] Non-limiting examples of acetoxysilanes include but are not limited to methyltriacetoxysilane, ethyltriaceto xysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, propyltriacetoxysilane, phebyltriacetoxysilane, or any combination thereof.

[055] Non-limiting examples of vinyl alkoxysilanes according to the present invention include vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTMS), vinyl triethoxysilane, vinyl tri (ethoxymethoxy) silane, vinyl methyl dimethoxy silane, vinyl methoxy dimethyl silane, vinyl methyl diethoxy silane, vinyl ethoxy dimethyl silane, vinyl methyl di (ethoxymethoxy) silane, vinyl ethyl dimethoxy silane and vinyl (ethoxymethoxy) dimethyl silane.

[056] Non-limiting examples of aminosilanes according to the present invention include N-methyl-3-amino-2-methyIpropyltrimethoxysilane, N-ethyl-3-amino-2- methylpropyltrimethoxysilane, N-ethyl-3-amino-2-methylpropyldiethoxymethylsilane, N- ethyl-3-amino-2-methylpropyltriethoxysilane, N-ethyl-3-amino-2- methylpropyldimethoxymethylsilane, N-butyl-3-amino-2-methylpropyltrimethoxysilane, N-cthy l-4-amino-3,3di methyl butyldi methoxy mcthylsi lane and N-ethyl-4-amino-3,3- dimethylbutyltrimethoxysilane.

[057] Non-limiting examples of mercaptosilanes according to the present invention include mercaptomethyltrimethoxysilane, mercaptomethylethethoxysilane, mercaptomethyldimethoxymethylsilane, mercaptomethyldiethoxymethylsilane, 3 - mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane, 3- mercaptopropyltriisopropoxy silane, 3 -mercaptopropylmethoxy (1, 2 ethylenedioxy) silane, 3 -mercaptopropylmethoxy (1,2-propylenedioxy) silane, 3-mercaptopropylethoxy (1,2- propylenedioxy) silane, 3-mercaptopropyldimethoxymethylsilane, 3- mercaptopropyldiethoxymethylsilane, 3-mercapto-2-methylpropyltrimethoxysilane, and 4- mercapto-3, 3-dimethylbutyl-thmethoxysilane.

[058] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises a reactive silane functional group.

[059] In some embodiments, the term “reactive silane” according to the present invention refers to a silane-based moiety in which at least one or all of the hydrogen and/or carbon atoms bonded to the silicon atom have been replaced by heteroatoms (e.g. O, N, S, etc.) or groups comprising the heteroatom(s). In some embodiments, reactive silane refers to a silicon atom bonded to an organic radical group which is hydrolysable, that is one to three hydrolysable radicals. In some embodiments, the reactive silane comprises an alkoxysilane, an aminosilane, an acetoxysilane, a mercaptosilane, or any combination thereof. Other moisture curable functional groups are well-known in the art.

[060] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises an alkoxysilane functional group. In some embodiments, the alkoxysilane comprises a di-alkoxysilane, and/or a tri- alkoxy silane.

[061] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer comprises a plurality of alkoxy silane functional groups. Non-limiting examples of alkoxy silanes include methyldimethoxysilyl, trimethoxysilyl, triethoxysilyl, tris(2-propenyloxy)silyl, triacethoxysilyl, dimethoxymethylsilyl, diethoxymethylsilyl, dimethoxyethylsilyl, (chloromethyl)dimethoxysilyl, (chloromethyl)diethoxysilyl, (methoxymethyl)dimethoxy silyl, (methoxymethyl)diethoxy silyl, (N,N-diethylaminomethyl)dimethoxy silyl, and (N,N- diethy laminomethy l)diethoxy silyl group s .

[062] In some embodiments, the grafting percentage of the moisture curable polymer is between 0.1 and 10, between 0.1 and 0.5, between 0.5 and 1, between 1 and 3, between 3 and 5, between 2 and 5, between 3 and 6, between 4 and 7, between 2 and 5, between 5 and 7, between 7 and 10, between 8 and 10, or between 2 and 6 including any range between. The grafting percentage can be determined by various analytical techniques (by calculating the yield of the grafting reaction), such as NMR, FTIR, etc. In some embodiments, the grafting percentage substantially predetermines the cross-linking degree of the cured adhesive.

[063] In some embodiments, the polymeric backbone of the moisture curable polymer is selected from the group consisting of: functionalized polyethylene, functionalized polyolefin, functionalized poly(meth)acrylate, and functionalized polyurethane.

[064] Examples of suitable commercially available polymers having silicon-containing hydrolysable terminal groups are Vestoplast® 206, available from Evonik, or Licocene® PP SI series, available from Clariant. Additional moisture-curable polymers include silane- grafted propylene/a-olefin polymers, such as disclosed in EP 2 407 495, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other commercially available moisture curable polymers are: Geniosil® STP-E 35 trimethoxysilylpropyl-carbamate-terminated polyether, and Geniosil® STP-E30 silane-terminated polyether with dimethoxy (methyl) silylmethylcarbamate terminal groups, both of which are available from Wacker Chemical. Another commercially available polymer that may be employed in the adhesive composition or article of the invention is “SPUR+” silane-terminated polyurethanes, available from General Electric.

[065] In some embodiments, a weight per weight (w/w) concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition of the invention is sufficient for forming an adhesive characterized by a sufficient adhesiveness, as described herein. In some embodiments, sufficient adhesiveness refers to adhesive strength of the adhesive material being at least 0.5MPa, at least IMPa, at least 1.5MPa, at least 2MPa, at least 2.5MPa, or between 1 and 4 MPa, between 1.5 and 3, including any range or value between (when measured according to ASTND 1002 aluminum).

[066] In some embodiments, a weight per weight (w/w) concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition of the invention is at least 50%. In some embodiments, a weight per weight (w/w) concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition of the invention is at least 30%. In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 58%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, or at least 75%, including any value therebetween. In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article of the invention is between 30 and 80%, between 25 and 30%, between 30 and 40%, between 40 and 50%, between 50 and 60%, between 60 and 70%, between 70 and 80%, including any value therebetween.

[067] A skilled artisan will appreciate that a minimum concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article is required in order to obtain sufficient adhesiveness. Thus, the upper concentration of moisture curable polymer within the article is only limited with respect to the non-curable polymer (thermoplastic polymer) of the shell. The inventors successfully implemented articles containing as low as 35% w/w of the moisture curable polymer or even less, by total weight of the article.

[068] In some embodiments, the core further comprises an additive (e.g. between 0.1 and 15% w/w, between 0.1 and 1% w/w, between 1 and 5% w/w, between 5 and 10% w/w, including any range between), wherein the additive is as described hereinbelow.

[069] In some embodiments, the core further comprises a filler. In some embodiments, the filler is chemically inert and comprises a solid particulate matter. In some embodiments, the core optionally comprises between 1 and 70%, between 1 and 5%, between 5 and 10%, between 10 and 20%, between 20 and 30%, between 30 and 50%, between 50 and 70%, between 20 and 60%, by weight of one or more fillers, including any value therebetween.

[070] Non-limiting examples of fillers according to the present invention include talc, calcium carbonate, a mineral (e.g. (i) a clay mineral selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite, attapulgite, smectite, montmorillonite, bentonite, hectorite, kaolinite, halloysite, or vermiculite; (ii) a non-clay mineral selected from the group consisting of including quartz, diatomaceous earth, and zeolites), nano-clay, silica, mica, wollastonite, feldspar, aluminum silicate, alumina, hydrated alumina, glass microspheres, ceramic microspheres, thermoplastic microspheres, barite and wood floor. Other fillers are well known in the art.

[071] In some embodiments, the core consists essentially of the moisture curable polymer and optionally at least one of: one or more filler, and one or more additive. In some embodiments, the core is devoid of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the core is devoid of a polymer (e.g. thermoplastic polymer), which is not the moisture curable polymer.

[072] In some embodiments, a diameter (or cross- section) of the core is between 2 mm and 100 cm, 2 mm and 10 mm, 2 mm and 5 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm, 30 mm and 50 mm, 50 mm and 80 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm, 10 and 20 cm, 20 and 50 cm, 50 and 70 cm, 70 cm and 1 m, including any range between. Shell

[073] In some embodiments, the shell comprises the thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst. In some embodiments, the shell of the article of the invention comprises the thermoplastic polymer at an amount sufficient for providing a moisture barrier to the core, so as to result in an adhesive article of the invention having a sufficient adhesive strength and/or storage shelf live. In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the thermoplastic polymer within the shell is between 40 and 99.9%, between 40 and 50%, between 50 and 70%, between 70 and 99.99%, between 70 and 75%, between 75 and 80%, between 80 and 85%, between 85 and 90%, between 90 and 92%, between 92 and 95%, between 95 and 97%, between 97 and 99%, between 99 and 99.1%, between 99.1 and 99.9%, between 99.9 and 99.95%, between 99.95 and 99.99%, including any range between.

[074] In some embodiments, the storage stability of the adhesive article described herein, is predetermined by the concentration of the thermoplastic polymer within the shell and/or within the article of the invention. In some embodiments, the storage stability of the adhesive is further predetermined by the thickness shell and/or within the article of the invention, and optionally by the w/w ratio between the core and the shell, as described herein.

[075] In some embodiments, the concentration of the catalyst within the shell is between 0.01% and 40% (w/w), 0.05% and 40% (w/w), 0.09% and 40% (w/w), 0.1% and 40% (w/w), 0.5% and 40% (w/w), 1% and 40% (w/w), 5% and 40% (w/w), 0.01% and 20% (w/w), 0.05% and 20% (w/w), 0.09% and 20% (w/w), 0.1% and 20% (w/w), 0.5% and 20% (w/w), 1% and 20% (w/w), 5% and 20% (w/w), 0.01% and 10% (w/w), 0.05% and 10% (w/w), 0.09% and 10% (w/w), 0.1% and 10% (w/w), 0.5% and 10% (w/w), 1% and 10% (w/w), or 5% and 10% (w/w), including any range therebetween.

[076] In some embodiments, the concentration of the catalyst within the article or the composition is between 0.01% and 10% (w/w), 0.01% and 8% (w/w), 0.01% and 5% (w/w), 0.05% and 5% (w/w), 0.09% and 10% (w/w), 0.1% and 10% (w/w), 0.5% and 10% (w/w), 1% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 0.01% and 9% (w/w), 0.05% and 9% (w/w), 0.09% and 9% (w/w), 0.1% and 9% (w/w), 0.5% and 9% (w/w), 1% and 9%, 5% and 9%, 0.01% and 5% (w/w), 0.05% and 5% (w/w), 0.09% and 5% (w/w), 0.1% and 5% (w/w), or 0.5% and 5% (w/w), including any range therebetween.

[077] In some embodiments, the concentration of the catalyst within the article of the invention is at most 8%, at most 6%, at most 5%, at most 3%, at most 2%, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments, the concentration of the catalyst within the article of the invention is between 0.01% and 5% (w/w), between 0.005% and 5% (w/w), between 0.005% and 0.01% (w/w), between 0.01% and 0.1% (w/w), between 0.1% and 0.5% (w/w), between 0.5% and 1% (w/w), between 1% and 2% (w/w), between 2% and 5% (w/w), between 2% and 3% (w/w), between 3% and 5% (w/w), including any range therebetween.

[078] Without being limited to any particular theory, it is postulated that a concentration of the catalyst of 10% by weight of the article of the invention, or of the shell results in premature cross-ling (scorch). Additionally, the inventors successfully implemented as low as 0.03% catalyst by weight of the article of the invention.

[079] In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the catalyst greater than 10% by weight of the shell, results in a premature curing (e.g. during melting). In some embodiments, premature curing refers to curing that occurs during the melting process. In some embodiments, premature curing refers to scorch. As used herein, “scorch” refers to the premature cross-linking of the polymer before the final molding is achieved.

[080] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer comprises a homopolymer or a copolymer of unsaturated monomers. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer comprises a mixture or blend of distinct polymeric species (homopolymers and/or copolymers).

[081] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is compatible with the core. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is compatible with the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the term “compatibility” including any grammatical derivative thereof, refers to compatibility of polymers within a blend (e.g. a binary blend) and encompasses fully miscible and/or partially miscible polymers. Polymer compatibility can be assessed experimentally, or calculated using an appropriate model such as dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Flory-Huggins theory related models (e.g. polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM), or lattice cluster theory (LCT)). These and other models are well-known in the art.

[082] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, poly(l -butene), poly(l -hexene), poly(l -octene), polyisobutylene, polybutylene), polyisoprene, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl acetate or higher esters thereof, including any copolymer, any salt or any combination thereof.

[083] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyalphaolefins, polyesters, polyacrylonitriles, polyimides, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl chloride, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polystyrene (PS), including any copolymer, any salt or any combination thereof.

[084] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is or comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of: PE (e.g. LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), poly(l -butene), a polyolefin copolymer (e.g. PE-co-PP, ethylene-octene copolymer, PE-a- olefin copolymer), styrene copolymer, PE/PP/PS copolymer, PVA-co-PE, polyethylene-co- vinyl acetate (PEVA), atactic poly-a-olefin (APAO), poly(meth)acrylate (PMA), and syndiotactic polypropylene (SPP) including any copolymer, or any combination thereof.

[085] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is substantially devoid of a wax (e.g. PE wax). In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is substantially devoid of polymer(s) having molecular weight (MW) of between 500 and 3000 Da, between 500 and 1000 Da, between 1000 and 2000 Da, between 2000 and 2200 Da, between 2200 and 2500 Da, between 2500 and 3000 Da, including any range between. Hereinthroughout, each range represents a sperate embodiment of the invention.

[086] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is a medium MW, high MW polymer, or a low MW polymer. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is a low MW polymer.

[087] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer has a molecular weight of between 5.000 and 10.000 Da, between 10.000 and 1.000.000 Da, between 10.000 and 100.000 Da, between 100.000 and 1.000.000 Da, including any range between.

[088] In some embodiments, the term “molecular weight” as used herein through, refers to a weight average molecular weight.

[089] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is an elastomer. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is an elastomer and is substantially devoid of a linear polymer. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is substantially devoid of polymers having a density of more than 0.9, or more than 0.92. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer has a density of less than 0.9, or between 0.8 and 0.9, between 0.8 and 0.85, between 0.85 and 0.87, between 0.87 and 0.89, including any range between. Elastomers are well-known in the art and are usually referred to polymers characterized by a density of less than 0.9, low crystallinity, low Tg and low viscosity.

[090] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is a flowable polymer (e.g. being in a form of a flowing composition in the molten state), and is characterized by a melting point (or softening point) and rheological properties (e.g. viscosity, MFI, etc.) in the molten state, as described herein.

[091] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is chemically inert to moisture. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is chemically inert to the moisture- curable polymer.

[092] As used herein the term “thermoplastic” refers to the conventional meaning of thermoplastic, i.e., a composition, compound, material, such as a high polymer, that softens or melts so as to become pliable when exposed to sufficient heat and generally returns to its original condition when cooled to room temperature (e.g. as described for standard storage conditions).

[093] As used herein, the term “polymer”, or any grammatical derivative thereof describes an organic substance composed of a plurality of repeating structural units (monomeric units) covalently connected to one another.

[094] In some embodiments, the catalyst comprises a metal-based catalyst, a Lewis base (e.g. a tertiary amine), an acid-based catalyst (e.g. sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid) and/or any salt or any combinations thereof.

[095] In some embodiments, the shell of the article of the invention comprises a mixture or plurality of distinct catalysts species.

[096] Non-limiting examples of Lewis base - based catalysts include, but are not limited to N,N-dimethylaminoethanol, N,N-dimethyl-cyclohexamine-bis(2-dimethyl aminoethyl)ether, 2,2'-Dimorpholinodiethylether, N-ethylmorpholine, N,N,N',N',N"- pentamethyl-diethylene-triamine, and l-2(hydroxypropyl) imidazole, or any combination thereof.

[097] Non-limiting examples of metal-based catalysts include, but are not limited to tin- based catalysts, stannous salts of carboxylic acids (e.g., stannous octoate and stannous acetate, tetrabutyl dioleatodistannoxane), organometallic titanium compounds (e.g. titanium carboxylates, organosilicon titanates, alkyl titanates) or other organometallic compounds, including organic complexes or carboxylates of lead, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc and tin and/or any salt or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the metal-based catalysts are combined with one or more Lewis base, such as primary, secondary and/or tertiary amine.

[098] Non-limiting examples of the tin-based catalysts include but are not limited to tin carboxylates or di-carboxylates such as dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTDL), dimethyl hydroxy tin oleate, dioctyl tin maleate, di-n-butyl tin maleate, dibutyl tin diacetate, dibutyl tin octoate, stannous octoate, stannous dioctoate and/or any salt or any combinations thereof. [099] In some embodiments, the catalyst is used to accelerate the curing of the polymer upon exposure to moisture. In some embodiments, the catalyst may be selected from those known in the art to promote hydrolysis and subsequent condensation of hydrolysable groups. In some embodiments, the catalyst facilitates hydrolysis, and/or subsequent crosslinking reaction of the silane groups.

[0100] In some embodiments, the shell comprises a tin-based catalyst (e.g. DBTDL).

[0101] In some embodiments, the shell consists essentially of the thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst. In some embodiments, the shell consists essentially of the thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst, and optionally comprises an additive (e.g. a stabilizer, a plasticizer, a tackifier, an antioxidant, a dye, etc.) In some embodiments, the shell is devoid of the moisture curable polymer.

[0102] In some embodiments, the shell and/or the core further comprises an additive (e.g. one or more distinct additives). In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the additive within the shell is between 0.1 and 30%, between 0.1 and 20%, between 0.1 and 1%, between 1 and 5%, between 5 and 10%, between 10 and 20%, including any range therebetween.

[0103] Non-limiting examples of additives according to the present invention include one or more stabilizer (e.g. pH stabilizer, acid scavenger, UV-stabilizer), one or more plasticizer, one or more tackifier, one or more antioxidants, one or more dyes, and one or more dehydrating agents.

[0104] In some embodiments, the shell and/or the core optionally comprises between 0.01 and 5% of a dehydrating agent. Non-limiting examples of dehydrating agents according to the present invention include commonly used and known in the art salts of weak organic acids (metal stearates) or inorganic bases (hydrotalcite) or cobalt salts. In some embodiments, the shell is substantially devoid of a dehydrating agent. In some embodiments, the core is substantially devoid of a dehydrating agent.

[0105] In some embodiments, the additive comprises a hindered amine. In some embodiments, the additive comprises a hindered secondary, a hindered tertiary amine, a hindered cyclic amine, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a hindered amine comprises diisopropylethylamine amine, or diethyl amine, tetramethylpiperidine, and derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, a hindered amine refers to hindered amine stabilizers (HALS), chemical compounds containing an amine functional group. These are primarily derivatives of tetramethylpiperidine and function as radical scavengers. Non-limiting examples of hindered amine stabilizers according to the present invention include bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidine)sebacate, poly[{6-(l,l,3,3- tetramethylbutyl)amino-l,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl}{(2,2,6,6-tet ramethyl-4-piperidine)imino} hexamethylene { (2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidine)imino } ] .

[0106] As used herein the term “hindered” refers to sterically hindered. Sterically hindered amines are compounds in which the nitrogen atom of the amine molecule is partially shielded by neighboring groups so that larger molecules cannot easily approach and react with the nitrogen.

[0107] In some embodiments, UV-stabilizers include screeners, absorbers, quenchers, free radical scavengers, and peroxide decomposers. Non-limiting examples of UV-absorber include benzophenones, benzotriazoles, aryl esters, oxanilides, acrylic esters and formamidine.

[0108] Non-limiting examples of antioxidants according to the present invention include phenols, aromatic amines, phosphates, phosphites, and BHT.

[0109] Non-limiting examples of dehydrating agents according to the present invention include silane compounds such as vinyltrimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, phenyltrimethylsilane, and diphenyldimethoxysilane; hydrolyzable ester compounds such as methyl orthoformate, ethyl orthoformate, methyl orthoacetate, and ethyl orthoacetate, and the like. These compounds may be used alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.

[0110] In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is between 0.01 mm and 10 mm, 0.015 mm and 10 mm, 0.02 mm and 10 mm, 0.025 mm and 10 mm, 0.03 mm and 10 mm, 0.05 mm and 10 mm, 0.09 mm and 10 mm, 0.1 mm and 10 mm, 0.5 mm and 10 mm, 0.9 mm and 10 mm, 1 mm and 10 mm, 0.01 mm and 9 mm, 0.015 mm and 9 mm, 0.02 mm and 9 mm, 0.025 mm and 9 mm, 0.03 mm and 9 mm, 0.05 mm and 9 mm, 0.09 mm and 9 mm, 0.1 mm and 9 mm, 0.5 mm and 9 mm, 0.9 mm and 9 mm, 1 mm and 9 mm, 0.01 mm and 5 mm, 0.015 mm and 5 mm, 0.02 mm and 5 mm, 0.025 mm and 5 mm, 0.03 mm and 5 mm, 0.05 mm and 5 mm, 0.09 mm and 5 mm, 0.1 mm and 5 mm, 0.5 mm and 5 mm, 0.9 mm and 5 mm, 0.01 mm and 1 mm, 0.015 mm and 1 mm, 0.02 mm and 1 mm, 0.025 mm and 1 mm, 0.03 mm and 1 mm, 0.05 mm and 1 mm, 0.09 mm and 1 mm, 0.1 mm and 1 mm, or 0.5 mm and 1 mm, including any range therebetween. [0111] In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is at least 500 |im, at least 510 |im, at least 600 |im, at least 700 |im, at least 1000 |im, at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is between 500 |im and 10 cm, between 500 |im and 1 mm, between 1 and 3 mm, between 3 and 5 mm, between 5 and 7 mm, between 7 and 10 mm, between 1cm and 2 cm, between 2 cm and 5 cm, between 5cm and 10 cm, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is at least 500 |am, or at least 1 mm, including any range or value therebetween.

[0112] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact thickness of the shell may vary, depending on one or more cross-section dimension(s) of the article (e.g. a diameter). Furthermore, it is appreciated that the thickness of the shell has to be sufficient to provide a moisture barrier to the core, so as to ensure long time storage stability of the article, as described herein.

[0113] In some embodiments, the shell provides a moisture barrier for the core. In some embodiments, the shell protects the moisture curable polymer from moisture.

[0114] In some embodiments, the shell is characterized by water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of at most 5, at most 3, at most 1, at most 0.1 [g/m ² /24h], including any range between. In some embodiments, the shell is characterized by water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of less than 3 g/m ² /24h.

[0115] In some embodiments, the shell prolongs chemical stability of the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the shell increases the shelf-life of the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the shell prevents or substantially reduces moisture- initiated curing of the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer encapsulated or enclosed by the shell, preserves at least 70%, at least 80, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% of its reactivity (e.g. being capable of forming crosslinks by reaction with water) for at least 100 days or longer storage stability, as described herein.

[0116] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer provides a moisture barrier for the core. In some embodiments the thermoplastic polymer protects the moisture curable polymer from moisture.

Article

[0117] In some embodiments, the article of the invention consists essentially of the moisture-curable core and the chemically inert thermoplastic shell. In some embodiments, the shell consists essentially of the thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst (e.g. as the active ingredients), as described hereinbelow. In some embodiments, the shell consists essentially of the thermoplastic polymer, the catalyst, and optionally up to 10%, or between 0.1 and 5% w/w of an additive, wherein the additive is as described hereinbelow. In some embodiments, the core consists essentially of the moisture curable polymer (e.g. as the active ingredient). In some embodiments, the core consists essentially of the moisture curable polymer, and a filler and/or additive, wherein the filler and/or additive are as described hereinbelow.

[0118] In some embodiments, the article of the invention comprises two or more (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more) layers stably bound to each other. In some embodiments, the two or more layers of the article are stably adhered to each other.

[0119] In some embodiments, the core comprises an inner portion and an outer portion facing the shell. In some embodiments, the outer portion of the core is bound or adhered to the shell. In some embodiments, the shell comprises an inner portion bound to the core and on outer portion facing the ambient. In some embodiments, the outer portion of the core is bound or adhered to the inner portion of the shell. In some embodiments, the two or more layers of the article are bound or adhered via non-covalent bonds (e.g. physical interactions such as hydrogen bonding, Van-der Waals interactions, London forces, etc.).

[0120] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is in a form of a solid multilayered adhesive article and is characterized by stability (or shelf life) for a time period of at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 4 months, at least 5 months, at least 6 months, at least 1 year, or at least 2 years, including any value therebetween, when stored under standard storage conditions, as described herein.

[0121] In some embodiments, the term “standard storage conditions” refer inter alia to a temperature of less than 0°C, or between 0°C and 60°C, including any range between; and/or to exposure of the ambient atmosphere (such as air, moisture, etc.) and/or normal atmospheric pressure.

[0122] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is referred to as “stable” when the article substantially retains: (i) its physical properties, (ii) chemical properties, and/or (iii) its shape, wherein substantially is as described herein. In some embodiments, the article of the invention is referred to as “stable” when the article is substantially devoid of disintegration (e.g. of the layers), and/or substantially devoid of physical defects (e.g. cracks, softening or fragility at the storage temperature of between 0 and 50°C), and/or substantially devoid of premature curing (e.g. characterized by gel content of less than 0.5%, less than 0.1%, less than 0.01%, less than 0.05%, less than 0.001%, less than 0.005%, including any range between), and/or retains at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 99% of the initial adhesiveness, including any range between.

[0123] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is referred to as “stable” when it retains at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 99%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.9% or 100% of the initial concentration of any one of the active ingredients (e.g. of the moisture-curable polymer, and the catalyst), including any range between.

[0124] In some embodiments, the term “initial” refers to the composition and/or physicochemical properties of the article of the invention at the time of manufacture.

[0125] In some embodiments, each of the core and/or the shell comprises one or more layers (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more). In some embodiments, each layer is substantially homogenous (e.g. a concentration of any one of the active ingredients within the layer is substantially the same within the entire volume of the layer). In some embodiments, each layer is characterized by substantially uniform thickness.

[0126] In some embodiments, each of the core and/or the shell comprises a single layer. In some embodiments, each of the core and/or the shell comprises at least two layers, wherein the layers are the same or different (e.g. having the same or different composition). In some embodiments, each of the core and/or the shell is in a form of a solid, and wherein each of the core and/or the shell is optionally composed of one or more solid layer(s).

[0127] In some embodiments, the core and/or the shell are composed of a homopolymer. In some embodiments, the core comprises a single moisture curable polymer species. In some embodiments, the core comprises a plurality of distinct moisture curable polymer species. In some embodiments, the core comprises a homogenous blend or mixture of distinct moisture curable polymer species. In some embodiments, the core comprises a solid multilayered structure, wherein each layer independently comprises one or more moisture curable polymer species.

[0128] In some embodiments, the shell comprises a single thermoplastic polymer species. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a plurality of distinct thermoplastic polymer species. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a homogenous blend or mixture of distinct thermoplastic polymer species. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a solid multilayered structure, wherein each layer independently comprises one or more thermoplastic polymer species.

[0129] The terms “plurality” and “two or more” are used herein interchangeably and encompass any plurality of species such 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 or more, including any range between. The term “solid”, as used herein, refers to an article of the invention being in a solid state at a temperature below 60°C, below 50°C, below 40°C, below 30°C, below 20°C, including any range between.

[0130] In some embodiments, the shell substantially encloses the core. In some embodiments, the core is fully enclosed by or encapsulated within the shell (e.g. at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 99%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.9%, or 100% of the outer surface of the core, including any range between). In some embodiments, the core and the shell of the article of the invention (e.g. each core and shell composed of one or more layers) are in a form of two distinct layers. In some embodiments, the core and the shell of the article of the invention are in a form of two consecutive layers. In some embodiments, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 99%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.9%, or 100% of the entire outer surface of the core is bound to the shell, including any range between.

[0131] As used herein, the term “layer” refers to a substantially homogeneous substance of substantially uniform-thickness. In some embodiments, the term "layer", refers to or comprises a polymeric layer.

[0132] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is substantially devoid of a void space between the core and the shell. In some embodiments, the article of the invention is substantially devoid of air and/or moisture. In some embodiments, a moisture content of the article is less than 0.5%, less than 0.1%, less than 0.05%, less than 0.01%, less than 0.001%, less than 0.0001%, including any range between.

[0133] In some embodiments, the entire shell has the same composition. In some embodiments, the shell has a main portion (or wall) composed of the thermoplastic pol;ymer and the catalyst, as described herein. In some embodiments, the shell further comprises a first face or first basis, and a second face or second basis (as depicted by Figure 2). In some embodiments, the composition of the first face and/or the second face is different from the composition of the wall. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first face and/or the second face is different from the thickness of the wall. In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall is at least 500 um.

[0134] Reference is now made to Figure 1 demonstrating a cross-section view of a nonlimiting configuration of an exemplary article.

[0135] In some embodiments, the core comprises a first layer 100 in contact with a second layer 110. In some embodiments, a first layer 100 comprises a moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, a second layer 110 comprises a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, the shell comprises an inner layer 120 in contact with the second layer 110, and an outer layer 140. In some embodiments, an outer portion of the outer layer 140 faces the ambient. In some embodiments, an inner layer 120 comprises a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a catalyst. In some embodiments, an outer layer 140 comprises a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and the outer layer 140 have the same composition. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and the outer layer 140 comprise the same thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, the second layer 110, the outer layer 140 and the inner layer 120 comprise the same thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and the outer layer 140 comprise different thermoplastic polymers. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and/or the outer layer 140 comprise different thermoplastic polymers.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second layer 110 provides a moisture barrier for the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the outer layer 140 provides a moisture barrier for the moisture curable polymer. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and the outer layer 140 protect the moisture curable polymer from moisture. In some embodiments, the outer layer 140 provides a moisture barrier for the catalyst. In some embodiments, the outer layer 140 provides a thermal barrier for the catalyst. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier prevents the catalyst from melting and/or evaporation. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and/or the outer layer 140 are substantially devoid of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the second layer 110 and/or the outer layer 140 are substantially devoid of the moisture curable polymer.

[0137] Reference is now made to Figure 2 demonstrating a side view of a non-limiting configuration of an exemplary article. In some embodiments, the article can be of any 3D shape (e.g. a cuboid or a cylinder). In some embodiments, the article comprise a core bound to a shell. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a first basis (or face) 100 and a second basis (or face) 110. In some embodiments, the shell comprises a wall 120. In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall is as described hereinabove, optionally at least 500 um. In some embodiments, the compositions of first basis 100, the second basis 110, and the wall 120 is the same (e.g. the shell comprises the same thermoplastic polymer). In some embodiments, the first face 100 and/or the second face 110 comprises a thermoplastic polymer being the different from the thermoplastic polymer of the wall 120. In some embodiments, the first face 100 and/or the second face 110 is substantially devoid of the catalyst. [0138] In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition of the invention is at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, including any range between.

[0139] In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is between 15 and 90%, between 10 and 15%, between 15 and 20%, between 20 and 30%, between 30 and 40%, between 40 and 50%, between 50 and 60%, between 60 and 70%, between 70 and 80%, between 80 and 90%, between 90 and 95%, between 80 and 95%, including any range between.

[0140] In some embodiments, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article is between 30 and 85%, between 40 and 80%, between 40 and 60%, between 60 and 80%, between 40 and 85%, between 50 and 85%, including any range between.

[0141] In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises 0.1% to 50% (w/w), 0.9% to 50% (w/w), 1% to 50% (w/w), 2% to 50% (w/w), 5% to 50% (w/w), 9% to 50% (w/w), 10% to 50% (w/w), 0.1% to 45% (w/w), 0.9% to 45% (w/w), 1% to 45% (w/w), 2% to 45% (w/w), 5% to 45% (w/w), 9% to 45% (w/w), 10% to 45% (w/w), 0.1% to 40% (w/w), 0.9% to 40% (w/w), 1% to 40% (w/w), 2% to 40% (w/w), 5% to 40% (w/w), 9% to 40% (w/w), 10% to 40% (w/w), 0.1% to 35% (w/w), 0.9% to 35% (w/w), 1% to 35% (w/w), 2% to 35% (w/w), 5% to 35% (w/w), 9% to 35% (w/w), 10% to 35% (w/w), 0.1% to 30% (w/w), 0.9% to 30% (w/w), 1% to 30% (w/w), 2% to 30% (w/w), 5% to 30% (w/w), 9% to 30% (w/w), or 10% to 30% (w/w) of the thermoplastic polymer, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40% (w/w) of the thermoplastic polymer, including any range therebetween.

[0142] In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises between 10% to 50% (w/w), 10% to 15% (w/w), 15% to 20% (w/w), 20% to 30% (w/w), 30% to 50% (w/w), 50% to 60% (w/w), 60% to 70% (w/w), 70% to 90% (w/w), of the thermoplastic polymer, including any range therebetween.

[0143] In some embodiments, the article comprises 1 ppm to 500 ppm of the catalyst. In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises 1 ppm to 500 ppm, 2 ppm to 500 ppm, 5 ppm to 500 ppm, 10 ppm to 500 ppm, 20 ppm to 500 ppm, 25 ppm to 500 ppm, 50 ppm to 500 ppm, 1 ppm to 200 ppm, 2 ppm to 200 ppm, 5 ppm to 200 ppm, 10 ppm to 200 ppm, 20 ppm to 200 ppm, 25 ppm to 200 ppm, 50 ppm to 200 ppm, 1 ppm to 100 ppm, 2 ppm to 100 ppm, 5 ppm to 100 ppm, 10 ppm to 100 ppm, 20 ppm to 100 ppm, 25 ppm to 100 ppm, 1 ppm to 50 ppm, 2 ppm to 50 ppm, 5 ppm to 50 ppm, 10 ppm to 50 ppm, or 1 ppm to 10 ppm of the catalyst, including any range therebetween.

[0144] In some embodiments, the w/w ratio between the catalyst and the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is between 0.001:1 and 0.1:1, 0.009:1 and 0.1:1, 0.01:1 and 0.1:1, or 0.05:1 and 0.1:1, including any range therebetween.

[0145] In some embodiments, the w/w ratio between the catalyst and the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is between 0.1%: 1 and 0.5%:l, between 0.05%:l and 0.1 %: 1, between 0.1 %: 1 and 0.3%:l, between 0.2%:l and 0.5%:l, including any range therebetween.

[0146] In some embodiments, the ratio of the moisture curable polymer to the thermoplastic polymer within the article of the invention is between 1:1 and 1:0.01 (w/w), 1:1 and 1:0.09 (w/w), 1:1 and 1:0.1 (w/w), 1:1 and 1:0.5 (w/w), 1:1 and 1:0.9 (w/w), 1:0.9 and 1:0.01 (w/w), 1:0.9 and 1:0.09 (w/w), 1:0.9 and 1:0.1 (w/w), 1:0.9 and 1:0.5 (w/w), 1:0.5 and 1:0.01 (w/w), 1:0.5 and 1:0.09 (w/w), or 1:0.5 and 1:0.1 (w/w), including any range therebetween.

[0147] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is an adhesive material having any 3D shape and comprising (i) a core comprising a moisture curable polymer, and (ii) a shell bound to the core and comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a catalyst; wherein: a thickness of the shell is at least 500 um or at least 1 mm; a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article is at least 30% or between 30 and 80%, a w/w concentration of the catalyst within the article is between 0.001 and 3%, or wherein a w/w ratio between the moisture curable polymer and the catalyst is between 1:0.05% and 1:0.4%, or between 1:0.1% and 1:0.4%, between 1:0.2% and 1:0.4%,; and a w/w concentration of the thermoplastic polymer within the article is between 20 and 50%, or wherein a weight ratio of the shell within the article is between 20% and 45%; wherein the catalyst, the thermoplastic polymer, and the moisture curable polymer are as described herein.

[0148] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is an adhesive material having any 3D shape and comprising (i) a core comprising a moisture curable polymer, and (ii) a shell bound to the core and comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a catalyst; wherein: a thickness of the shell is at least 500 um or at least 1 mm; a length of the article is at least 5 mm or at least 10mm, a w/w concentration of the moisture curable polymer within the article is at least 15%, at least 30% or between 30 and 80%, a w/w concentration of the catalyst within the article is between 0.001 and 3%, or wherein a w/w ratio between the moisture curable polymer and the catalyst is between 1:0.05% and 1:0.4%, or between 1:0.1% and 1:0.4%, between 1:0.2% and 1:0.4%; and a w/w concentration of the thermoplastic polymer within the article is between 20 and 50%, or between 20 and 40%, or wherein a weight ratio of the shell within the article is between 20% and 45%; wherein the catalyst, the thermoplastic polymer, and the moisture curable polymer are as described herein.; wherein the catalyst, the thermoplastic polymer, and the moisture curable polymer are as described herein. Optionally, wherein: the catalyst is or comprises a tin-based catalyst (e.g. DBTL) or an acid catalyst (e.g. sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, etc.), the thermoplastic polymer is or comprises a polyolefin co-polymer, and the moisture curable polymer is or comprises an alkoxysilane (e.g. trimethoxysilane, or triethoxysilane) - grafted polyolefin and/or an aminosilane - grafted polyolefin.

[0149] In some embodiments, the entire article of the invention has a uniform composition and/or structure (e.g. a layered core-shell structure), and is substantially devoid of a nonadhesive segment or portion.

[0150] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer is a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer of the invention are flowable, wherein flowable is as described herein.

[0151] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer are compatible with any of the manufacturing methods of the article (e.g. coextrusion or coating). In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer are characterized by physical properties (e.g. Tm, MFI, viscosity, etc.) suitable for the manufacturing of the article, as described herein. In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer have substantially the same melting point.

[0152] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer have substantially the same Tm, viscosity and/or MFI. In some embodiments, the term “substantially the same” encompasses that the difference between the corresponding numerical values of any of: Tm, viscosity and/or MFI (for the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, respectively) is between 0.1 and 10%, between 0.1 and 1%, between 1 and 3%, between 3 and 5%, between 5 and 10%, including any range between.

[0153] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the substantially the same physical properties (such as Tm, viscosity and/or MFI including any other rheological property) of these two polymers are required for generating a flowing adhesive, as disclosed herein. Furthermore, substantially the same physical properties are advantageous with respect to the manufacturing process of the article of the invention (such as by coextrusion).

[0154] In some embodiments, the melting point is between 70 °C and 200 °C, 75 °C and 200 °C, 80 °C and 200 °C, 85 °C and 200 °C, 90 °C and 200 °C, 95 °C and 200 °C, 100 °C and 200 °C, 110 °C and 200 °C, 70 °C and 195 °C, 75 °C and 195 °C, 80 °C and 195 °C, 85 °C and 195 °C, 90 °C and 195 °C, 95 °C and 195 °C, 100 °C and 195 °C, 110 °C and 195 °C, 70 °C and 190 °C, 75 °C and 190 °C, 80 °C and 190 °C, 85 °C and 190 °C, 90 °C and 190 °C, 95 °C and 190 °C, 100 °C and 190 °C, 110 °C and 190 °C, 70 °C and 180 °C, 75 °C and 180 °C, 80 °C and 180 °C, 85 °C and 180 °C, 90 °C and 180 °C, 95 °C and 180 °C, 100 °C and 180 °C, or 110 °C and 180 °C, including any range therebetween.

[0155] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is or comprises a solid adhesive material, being meltable at or above the melting point (or softening point) so as to result in a flowing adhesive material. In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material is a thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material is a hot melt adhesive.

[0156] The terms “melting point” and “softening point” are well-known in the art and are related to a temperature at which the material undergoes solid-liquid phase transition or flows. In some embodiments, the term “softening point” refers to a flowability of the material as characterized by melt flow index (MFI) and/or viscosity as described herein.

[0157] In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is shapeable or moldable. In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is characterized by melt viscosity between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs, between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs, between 1000 cPs and 10.000 cPs, between 10.000 cPs and 20.000 cPs, between 20.000 cPs and 50.000 cPs, between 50.000 cPs and 70.000 cPs, between 70.000 cPs and 100.000 cPs, including any range between, when measured at 190°C; and is further characterized by MFI of above 50, when measured at 190°C and 2.16 kg load (according to ASTN D1238).

[0158] In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is characterized by melt viscosity as described herein (e.g. between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs), and by MFI of at least 50, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 300, at least 500, at least 1000, at least 2000, including any range between. In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is characterized by MFI (when measured according to ASTN D1238) between 50 and 3000, between 50 and 100, between 100 and 200, between 200 and 500, between 500 and 1000, between 1000 and 2000, between 1500 and 3000, between 2000 and 3000, including any range between.

[0159] In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is for promoting adhesion or sealing of substrate surface(s). In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is for coating substrate surface(s). In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention is compatible with any substrate. In some embodiments, the flowing adhesive material of the invention have and advantageous adhesive strength, as compared to non-moisture curable adhesives, when applied to a substrate selected from a metal substrate (e.g. steel, aluminum, etc.), aplastic substrate (e.g. a polyolefin, PET, polyester, a polyamide, etc.), and a glass substrate, or any combination thereof.

[0160] In some embodiments, the core and the shell of the invention each independently are characterized by melting point (Tm), MFI and/or viscosity as described for the flowing adhesive material. In some embodiments, the core and the shell of the invention have substantially the same Tm, MFI and/or viscosity (e.g. a deviation of less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 1% including any range between).

[0161] In some embodiments, the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer have substantially the same viscosity in a molten state. In some embodiments, the viscosity (of the moisture curable polymer and/or of the thermoplastic polymer) is between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs, between 2000 and 50.000 cPs, or between 2000 and 20.000 cPs, when measured at 190°C. In some embodiments, each of the moisture curable polymer and the thermoplastic polymer is independently characterized by viscosity of between 1200 cPs and 100000 cPs, 1500 cPs and 100000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 100000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 100000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 100000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 100000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 100000 cPs, 5000 cPs and 100000 cPs, 1000 cPs and 90000 cPs, 1200 cPs and 90000 cPs, 1500 cPs and 90000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 90000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 90000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 90000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 90000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 90000 cPs, 5000 cPs and 90000 cPs, 1000 cPs and 70000 cPs, 1200 cPs and 70000 cPs, 1500 cPs and 70000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 70000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 70000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 70000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 70000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 70000 cPs, 5000 cPs and 70000 cPs, 1000 cPs and 60000 cPs, 1200 cPs and 60000 cPs, 1500 cPs and

T1 60000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 60000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 60000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 60000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 60000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 60000 cPs, 5000 cPs and 60000 cPs, 1000 cPs and 55000 cPs, 1200 cPs and 55000 cPs, 1500 cPs and 55000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 55000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 55000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 55000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 55000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 55000 cPs, 5000 cPs and 55000 cPs, 1000 cPs and 50000 cPs, 1200 cPs and 50000 cPs, 1500 cPs and 50000 cPs, 1900 cPs and 50000 cPs, 2000 cPs and 50000 cPs, 2100 cPs and 50000 cPs, 2500 cPs and 50000 cPs, 3000 cPs and 50000 cPs, or 5000 cPs and 50000 cPs when measured at 190°C, including any range therebetween, and wherein at least the thermoplastic polymer is characterized by MFI as described hereinabove (between 50 and 3000). In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is between 0.1% and 20% of the total diameter of the article. In some embodiments, a thickness of the shell is between 0.5% and 20%, 0.9% and 20%, 1% and 20%, 5% and 20%, 0.5% and 20%, 0.5% and 15%, 0.9% and 15%, 1% and 15%, 5% and 15%, 0.5% and 15%, 0.5% and 10%, 0.9% and 10%, 1% and 10%, 5% and 10%, 0.5% and 10%, 10% and 20%, or 20% and 30% of the total diameter (or cross-section) of the article, including any range therebetween.

[0162] In some embodiments, a w/w ratio between the core and the shell is between 1:1 and 6:1, between 1.5:1 and 6:1, between 1.5:1 and 5.5:1, between 1.5:1 and 5:1, between 1:1 and 2:1, between 2:1 and 3:1, between 3:1 and 4:1, between 4:1 and 5:1, including any range therebetween.

[0163] In some embodiments, the w/w ratio between the catalyst and the moisture curable polymer within the article or the composition is between 0.1%: 1 and 0.5%:l, between 0.05%: 1 and 0.1%: 1, between 0.1%: 1 and 0.3%:l, between 0.2%: 1 and 0.5%: 1, including any range therebetween; and a w/w ratio between the core and the shell is between 1:1 and 6:1, between 1.5:1 and 6:1, between 1.5:1 and 5.5:1, between 1.5:1 and 5:1, between 1:1 and 2:1, between 2:1 and 3:1, between 3:1 and 4:1, between 4:1 and 5:1, including any range therebetween.

[0164] In some embodiments, a v/v ratio between the core and the shell is between 1:1 and 5:1, between 1:1 and 2:1, between 2:1 and 3:1, between 3:1 and 4:1, between 4:1 and 5:1, including any range therebetween.

[0165] In some embodiments, the article of the invention comprises a sufficient amount of the shell, wherein the sufficient amount refers to a weight and/or volume ratio between the core and the shell is so as to obtain a stable article, as described herein. In some embodiments, the sufficient amount of the shell is so as to provide a sufficient moisture barrier, thus preventing contact of the core with moisture. In some embodiments, the sufficient amount of the shell comprises a weight and/or volume ratio of the shell within the entire article of at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, including any range between (e.g. between 20 and 40% w/w).

[0166] In some embodiments, the article or the composition has a uniform or a non- uniform shape. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is in a form of a stick. In some embodiments, at least one dimension of the stick is compatible with a heating apparatus (e.g. glue gun) as described herein. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is not limited to any geometrical shape. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is a three-dimensional article. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is a three-dimensional (3D) article in a form of a cylinder, a rod, a torus, a cube, a prism, a rectangle, a stick, a strip or a band, a fiber, a wire, a yam, a pellet, a block, and a rope or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the article or the composition has a tubular shape (e.g. open-tubular shape), a spherical shape, a conical shape, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the stick the rod has a cross-section in a form of a pentagon, hexagon, triangle, rectangle, ellipsoid, octahedron, pentagram, or a combination thereof.

[0167] In some embodiments, the article of the invention is compatible with a glue gun (e.g. any heating device capable of receiving the article and providing thereof under conditions suitable for melting). In some embodiments, the article of the invention has one or more dimensions compatible with the dimensions of the glue gun, and/or capable of undergo melting and subsequent application on a substrate via a glue gun. In some embodiments, the glue gun compatible article upon melting or softening thereof results in a flowing adhesive material characterized by at least one of: MFI of between 50 and 3000; viscosity between 1000 cPs and 100000 cPs; or both, wherein viscosity and MFI are measured as described herein. In some embodiments, the glue gun compatible article is characterized by a melting and/or softening point compatible with the heating temperature of the glue gun, so that the resulting flowing adhesive material is characterized by rheological properties (e.g. viscosity and/or MFI) suitable for application (e.g. extraction on the substrate) of the flowing adhesive material via a glue gun.

[0168] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is characterized by having at least one dimension (e.g. diameter or cross-section) of 1 mm to 50 mm, 5 mm to 50 mm, 8 mm to 50 mm, 10 mm to 50 mm, 15 mm to 50 mm, 20 mm to 50 mm, 1 mm to 45 mm, 5 mm to 45 mm, 8 mm to 45 mm, 10 mm to 45 mm, 15 mm to 45 mm, 20 mm to 45 mm, 1 mm to 40 mm, 5 mm to 40 mm, 8 mm to 40 mm, 10 mm to 40 mm, 15 mm to 40 mm, or 20 mm to 40 mm, including any range therebetween.

[0169] In some embodiments, at least one dimension (e.g. diameter or cross-section) of the article or the composition is compatible with a dimension of a heating apparatus, wherein the heating apparatus is as described herein.

[0170] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is in a form of a 3-D printing filament. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is compatible with a 3-D printer. In some embodiments the article or the composition is characterized by a diameter between 2 mm to 5 mm. In some embodiments the article or the composition is characterized by a diameter of at least 2.5 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 3.5 mm, at least 3.9 mm, or at least 4 mm, including any value therebetween. In some embodiments the article or the composition is characterized by a diameter of not more than 4 mm, not more than 4.5 mm, not more than 4.8 mm, or not more than 5 mm, including any value therebetween.

[0171] In some embodiments, the terms “diameter” and “cross-section” are used herein interchangeably.

[0172] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is characterized by length being from 10 mm to 50 cm, 10 mm to 50 mm, 50 mm to 100 mm, 100 mm to 200 mm, 200 mm to 300 mm, 300 mm to 400 mm, 400 mm to 500 mm, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments, the article of the invention is characterized by length of more than 0.5 m, more than 1 m, more than 2 m, more than 5 m, more than 10 m, more than 100 m, including any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the article or the composition is a three-dimensional (3D) article in a form of a cylinder, a rod, a torus, a cube, a prism, a rectangle, a stick, a strip or a band, a fiber, a wire, a yarn, a pellet, a block, and a rope or a combination thereof, and is characterized by length of at least 0.5 cm or at least 1 cm, or from 10 mm to 50 cm, 10 mm to 50 mm, 50 mm to 100 mm, 100 mm to 200 mm, 200 mm to 300 mm, 300 mm to 400 mm, 400 mm to 500 mm, including any range therebetween.

[0173] One skilled in the art will appreciate, that the article of the invention may have any length and/or diameter or cross-section. The article can be shaped according to a predefined dimension (length and/or cross section dimension).

[0174] In some embodiments, the disclosed article is characterized by an improved stability, as compared to a reference article. In some embodiments, the term “reference article” refers to a same article, being free of a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises a moisture curable polymer and the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a catalyst. [0175] By “improved stability” it is meant to refer to having a more desirable shelf live or chemical property. In some embodiments, improved stability refers to improved heat resistance, and/or improved moisture resistance. In some embodiments, improved stability refers to improved chemical stability of the moisture curable polymer.

[0176] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is characterized by a stability (e.g. shelf life) of at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 4 months, at least 5 months, at least 6 months, at least 1 year, or at least 2 years, including any value therebetween.

[0177] In some embodiments, the shelf live is extended by at least 1 day, at least 5 days, at least 10 days, at least 20 days, at least 50 days, at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 5 months, or at least 1 year compared to a reference article, including any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the term “shelf live” refers to storage stability of the article, wherein storage is at standard storage conditions, as described herein.

[0178] In some embodiments, the article or the composition is compatible with a heating apparatus. In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises at least one dimension suitable for use with a heating apparatus. In some embodiments, a heating apparatus refers to a glue gun.

[0179] In some embodiments the article or the composition of the invention optionally comprises an additive. In some embodiments a w/w concentration of the additive within the article is between 0.1 and 5%, between 0.1 and 0.5%, between 0.5 and 1%, between 1 and 3%, between 3 and 5%, including any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the article or the composition comprises a mixture of additives, wherein the additive(s) are as descried herein.

[0180] In some embodiments, the article optionally comprises a filler. In some embodiments a w/w concentration of the filler within the article is between 0.1 and 50%, between 0.1 and 0.5%, between 0.5 and 1%, between 1 and 3%, between 3 and 5%, between 5 and 10%, between 10 and 20%, between 20 and 30%, between 30 and 50including any value therebetween, wherein the filler(s) is as descried herein.

[0181] In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises a moisture curable polymer and the shell comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a catalyst, wherein the moisture curable polymer, the thermoplastic polymer and the catalyst are as described hereinabove. The kit

[0182] According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a kit, comprising the composition described hereinabove and a heating apparatus.

[0183] In some embodiments, the heating apparatus comprises a heating portion, further comprising an inlet opening to receive a solid composition, a heater for melting the solid composition, and an opening (e.g. outlet opening) for injecting the molten composition outside the apparatus.

[0184] In some embodiments, when heating is applied in the heating apparatus, at least a portion of the composition is in the molten state. In some embodiments, heating apparatus comprises a melting chamber. In some embodiments, heating is applied by the heater into the melting chamber, thereby liquefying the composition. In some embodiments, the liquefied composition exits the apparatus via the outlet opening. In some embodiments, the heater is configured to heat uniformly at least a portion of the composition. In some embodiments, by applying a constant temperature and uniformly heating the composition, the melting efficiency is enhanced. In some embodiments, the melting efficiency is enhanced by e.g., at least 1%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, or at least 500% compared to applying a variable temperature.

[0185] In some embodiments, the heating apparatus further comprises a control unit configured to maintain the temperature of the heater at a predefined temperature. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to adjust the temperature in a temperature range. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to maintain a stable predefined temperature.

[0186] In some embodiments, the predefined temperature is a temperature of not more than 10 °C above the melting point of the composition. In some embodiments, the predefined temperature is a temperature of not more than 9 °C, not more than 8 °C, not more than 7 °C, not more than 6 °C, not more than 5 °C, not more than 4 °C, not more than 3 °C, not more than 2 °C, or not more than 1 °C above the melting point of the composition, including any value therebetween. [0187] In some embodiments, the predefined temperature is a temperature of not more than 250 °C, not more than 230 °C, not more than 200 °C, not more than 190 °C, not more than 180 °C, or not more than 160 °C, including any value therebetween.

[0188] In some embodiments, the heating apparatus further comprises a trigger for controlling the injection rate of the molten composition from the outlet opening.

[0189] In another aspect, there is provided a method of obtaining an adhesive material comprising providing the article or the kit of the invention and exposing the article to conditions suitable for melting or softening thereof, thereby obtaining the adhesive material. In some embodiments, the adhesive material is in a molten state. In some embodiments, the adhesive material is a flowing (or molten) adhesive material, characterized by MFI, and/or viscosity as described herein.

[0190] In some embodiments, conditions suitable for melting comprise a temperature between 70 °C and 170 °C, or the predefined temperature, as described herein. In some embodiments, conditions suitable for melting comprise a time period of less than 10 minutes, less than 5 minutes, less than 1 minute, less than 0.1 minute, less than 2 seconds, including any range between.

[0191] In some embodiments, conditions suitable for melting comprise providing the article of the invention into a heating apparatus and subjecting the article to the predefined temperature and optionally a pressure sufficient for extracting the molten or flowing composition from the outlet opening of the heating apparatus.

Cured composition

[0192] In another aspect, there is provided a composition comprising a cured article of the invention. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is a solid. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is a thermoset polymeric composition or article. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is shapeable or moldable (e.g. capable of obtaining a predefined shape, dimensions and/or curvature). In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is shapeable by molding (e.g. heat molding). [0193] In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is a 3D article characterized by any predefined shape, dimensions and/or curvature.

[0194] In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is shapeable by extracting the flowing composition into a mold with a predefined shape, dimensions and/or curvature. [0195] In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention has a cross-linking degree (or gel content) of between 0.1 and 10%, between 0.1 and 1%, between 1 and 3%, between 2 and 7%, between 7 and 10%, including any range between. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is characterized by an improved mechanical property, as compared to analogous commercially available adhesives.

[0196] In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is a cured sealant. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention is a coating on top of the substrate. In some embodiments, the cured article of the invention (e.g. in a form of a cured sealant) is characterized by adhesion strength of at least 0.5MPa, at least IMPa, at least 2MPa, at least 2.5 MPa, or between 1 and 4.5 MPa, when measured according to ASTND 1002 aluminum. [0197] In another aspect, there is provided a method of adhering or sealing at least one surface (e.g. a substrate surface selected form a metal substrate, a plastic substrate, and/or glass substrate), the method comprises applying to the surface the flowing composition of the invention to one or more surface, and optionally binding, pressing or holding the surfaces together, under suitable conditions; thereby adhering or sealing at least one surface. [0198] In some embodiments, the steps of applying and binding are performed subsequently. In some embodiments, the method comprises a pre-step of providing the article or the kit of the invention, and exposing the article to conditions suitable for melting the article, thereby obtaining the flowing composition (e.g. molten adhesive).

[0199] In some embodiments, suitable conditions comprise conditions sufficient for curing of the flowing composition (e.g. cross-ling of the moisture curable polymer). In some embodiments, suitable conditions comprise any of: a predetermined time (between 1 minute and 72hours, between 1 and 5 hour, between 5 and 10 hour, between 10 and 24 hour, between 24 and 48 hour, between 48 and 72 hour, including any range between), and/or a temperature (e.g. between 0 and 50°C, between 0 and 10°C, between 10 and 20°C, between 20 and 30°C, between 30 and 50°C, including any range between), and optionally a sufficient pressure so as to hold the surface together.

EXAMPLES

[0200] According to one embodiment of the invention, the multi-layered article of the invention can be manufactured by (i) manufacturing a solid core composed essentially of the moisture curable polymer of the invention, having a predefined shape and dimensions; and (ii) applying a shell on top of the solid core by any suitable process, such as extrusion (coextrusion), spray-coating and dip-coating (e.g. by implementing a solution comprising the components of the shell composition). The article of the invention can be manufactured in a one-step process, such as by co-extrusion. The co-extrusion process is well known in the art and includes feeding the solid components of the shell and of the core into an extruder and extruding the multi-layered (or core- shell) article of the invention under operable conditions. The operable conditions include inter alia feeding speed, and extrusion parameters such as temperature of the extruder and a pressure applied on the components. A skilled artisan will be able to optimize the extrusion parameters, so as to be appropriate for any particular article and/or composition of the shell and of the core.

[0201] A moisture curable polymer may be a silane grafted polyolefin. Such grafted polymers are commercially available. Examples of suitable commercially available polymers having silicon-containing hydrolysable terminal groups are Vestoplast® 206, available from Evonik, or Licocene® PP SI series, available from Clariant. Additional moisture-curable polymers include silane-grafted propyl ene/a-olefin polymers, such as disclosed in EP 2 407 495, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other commercially available moisture curable polymers are: Geniosil® STP-E 35 trimethoxysilylpropyl- carbamate-terminated polyether, and Geniosil® STP-E30 silane-terminated polyether with dimethoxy (methyl) silylmethylcarbamate terminal groups, both of which are available from Wacker Chemical. Another commercially available polymer that may be employed in the adhesive composition or article of the invention is “SPUR+” silane-terminated polyurethanes, available from General Electric.

[0202] Alternatively, grafting of a thermoplastic polymeric backbone, such as polyolefin (e.g. a random ethylene/octene copolymer, or any other polyolefin) can be performed according to a non-limiting exemplary procedure described hereinbelow.

[0203] The silane (e.g. vinyltriethoxysilane) to peroxide ratio in the liquid masterbatch varied from 55:1 to 333:1. The resin and the silane/peroxide masterbatch are fed into the extruder at a certain wt% of the masterbatch. The polyolefin is stabilized with Irganox™ 1010, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals. An exemplary polyolefin is a random ethylene/octene copolymer (EO copolymer) with the following properties: density of about 0.87 g/m3, melt viscosity of 5000-10.000 cP at 177°C, an apparent melt index (12) of 1000g/10 min at 190°C/2.16 kg, and a percent crystallinity around 16.

[0204] Melt index (apparent) can be calculated from the following equation (see U.S. Patent 6,335,410): 12 (190°C/2.16kg) = 3.6126[10(log(q)-6.6928)/-1.1363] - 9.3185, where q = melt viscosity, in cP, at 177°C.

[0205] Exemplary Representative Procedure:

[0206] The EO copolymer and a liquid silane/peroxide masterbatch mixture containing 10 wt% vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES, 0.871b (0.395 kg)) and 600 ppm Trignox®101 (2,5- dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butyl peroxy )hexane, 4.1 g) can be added to the feed throat of a corotating twin screw, continuous extruder. Exemplary barrel section can be 90 mm in length, and the barrel sections can be stacked length to-length. The temperatures of the internal barrel sections 3-9 can be set at 235°C.

[0207] The total throughput can be about 4.54 kg/hr, and the extruder can be operated at about 300 RPM. The residence time of the resin through the extruder is typically around 1- 4 minutes. The mixture is then continuously extruded though a die plate, quenched in an underwater pelletizer, and cut into pellets. The pellet water temperature can be maintained below 23 °C to ease pelletizing and to prevent pellet agglomerates.

[0208] The weight percentage of silane within the extrudate can be determined from the mass flow of the resin, and the volumetric flow rate of the silane/peroxide masterbatch, which can be converted to mass flow rate based on a calibration.

[0209] A sample of the finished pellets, after extrusion, can be formed into any suitable shape, and can be examined by FTIR (or NMR) to determine the initial amount of silane present in the resin. Additionally, the extrudate can be placed in a vacuum oven, at an elevated temperature of 50°C, for at least one hour, to evaporate residual unreacted silane (VTES). The percentage of the grafted silane can be determined by FTIR (e.g. as described in Ahmed et al. FTIR analysis of silane grafted high density polyethylene, Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 2009).

[0210] The inventors assumed, that upon enclosing a moisture sensitive adhesive (e.g. the moisture curable polymer as described hereinabove) within a chemically inert moisture impermeable polymeric shell, may result in an adhesive article, which is easy to handle and does not require tedious and expensive packaging processes to ensure sufficient shelf life of the adhesive.

[0211] The inventors performed extensive experimental activity in order to find out compositions and ratios of the various components, which are suitable for manufacturing of adhesive articles of the invention (hot melt adhesive) characterized by sufficient storage stability and adhesive strength. Each of the tested compositions has been utilized for the formation of an adhesive stick, which has been further molten (via a glue gun) and subsequently applied on the substrate (e.g. a metal substrate). Numerous physical parameters of the adhesive sticks have been tested, including inter alia melting point, compatibility of the core and shell, flowability, adhesive strength, premature cross-linking and storage stability.

[0212] Some of the experimental results are summarized in Table 1 below.

Legend: MCP= moisture curable polymer; Cat= catalyst; TP= thermoplastic polymer; AS= adhesion strength. The percentages listed in the table are weight% from the total weight of the shell or core.

[0213] The inventors successfully implemented following TPs for the manufacture of exemplary adhesive articles: polyolefins such as LDPE, polyolefin copolymers, among others. Implementation of PE wax as a TP, resulted in an inferior article.

[0214] The inventors successfully implemented following MCPs for the manufacture of exemplary adhesive articles: silane grafted polyolefins such as Vestoplast® 206, available from Evonik, or Licocene® PP SI series, available from Clariant and others. Exemplary catalysts are as follows: DBTL.

General

[0215] As used herein the term “about” refers to ± 10 %.

[0216] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", “having” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

[0217] The term “consisting of means “including and limited to”.

[0218] In some embodiments, the term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0219] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

[0220] The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict.

[0221] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0222] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range. [0223] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0224] As used herein the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

[0225] As used herein the term "substantially” refers to (e.g. to a w/w ratio of one or more compounds disclosed herein) at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 99%, at least 99.5% including any range between.

[0226] As used herein, the term "alkyl" describes an aliphatic hydrocarbon including straight chain and branched chain groups (e.g. having between 1 and 10, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, between 1 and 5, between 2 and 5, between 5 and 10, carbon atoms, including any range between). The term "alkyl", as used herein, also encompasses saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon, hence this term further encompasses alkenyl and alkynyl.

[0227] The term "alkenyl" describes an unsaturated alkyl, as defined herein, having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The alkenyl may be substituted or unsubstituted by one or more substituents, as described hereinabove.

[0228] The term "alkynyl", as defined herein, is an unsaturated alkyl having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. The alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted by one or more substituents, as described hereinabove.

[0229] The term "alkoxy" describes both an O-alkyl and an -O-cycloalkyl group, as defined herein. The term "aryloxy" describes an -O-aryl, as defined herein.

[0230] In some embodiments, the term “silane” refers to silicon compounds with four substituents, or groups, attached to the silicon atom. These groups can be the same or different (e.g. halo, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, etc.) and nonreactive or reactive, with the reactivity being inorganic or organic.

[0231] In some embodiments, the term “siloxane” refers to silicon-based compounds with four substituents, or groups, attached to the silicon atom, wherein at least one group is hydroxy or alkoxy).

[0232] Each of the alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl groups in the general formulas herein may be substituted by one or more substituents, whereby each substituent group can independently be, for example, halide, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, nitro, amino, hydroxyl, thiol, thioalkoxy, carboxy, amide, aryl and aryloxy, depending on the substituted group and its position in the molecule. Additional substituents are also contemplated.

[0233] The term "halide", "halogen" or “halo” describes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term “haloalkyl” describes an alkyl group as defined herein, further substituted by one or more halide(s). The term “haloalkoxy” describes an alkoxy group as defined herein, further substituted by one or more halide(s). The term “hydroxyl” or "hydroxy" describes a -OH group. The term "mercapto" or “thiol” describes a -SH group. The term "thioalkoxy" describes both an -S-alkyl group, and a -S-cycloalkyl group, as defined herein. The term "thioaryloxy" describes both an -S-aryl and a -S-heteroaryl group, as defined herein. The term “amino” describes a -NR’R” group, or a salt thereof, with R’ and R” as described herein.

[0234] The term "heterocyclyl" describes a monocyclic or fused ring group having in the ring(s) one or more atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The rings may also have one or more double bonds. However, the rings do not have a completely conjugated pi- electron system. Representative examples are piperidine, piperazine, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, morpholino and the like.

[0235] The term "carboxy" describes a -C(O)OR' group, or a carboxylate salt thereof, where R' is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl (bonded through a ring carbon) or heterocyclyl (bonded through a ring carbon) as defined herein.

[0236] The term “carbonyl” describes a -C(O)R' group, where R' is as defined hereinabove. The above-terms also encompass thio-derivatives thereof (thiocarboxy and thiocarbonyl).

[0237] The term “thiocarbonyl” describes a -C(S)R' group, where R' is as defined hereinabove. A "thiocarboxy" group describes a -C(S)OR' group, where R' is as defined herein. A "sulfinyl" group describes an -S(O)R' group, where R' is as defined herein. A "sulfonyl" or “sulfonate” group describes an -S(O)2R' group, where R' is as defined herein. [0238] A "carbamyl" or “carbamate” group describes an -OC(O)NR'R" group, where R' is as defined herein and R" is as defined for R'. A "nitro" group refers to a -NO2 group. The term "amide" as used herein encompasses C-amide and N-amide. The term "C-amide" describes a -C(O)NR'R" end group or a -C(O)NR'-linking group, as these phrases are defined hereinabove, where R' and R" are as defined herein. The term "N-amide" describes a -NR"C(O)R' end group or a -NR'C(O)- linking group, as these phrases are defined hereinabove, where R' and R" are as defined herein. [0239] A "cyano" or "nitrile" group refers to a -CN group. The term "azo" or "diazo" describes an -N=NR' end group or an -N=N- linking group, as these phrases are defined hereinabove, with R' as defined hereinabove. The term "guanidine" describes a - R'NC(N)NR"R"' end group or a -R'NC(N) NR"- linking group, as these phrases are defined hereinabove, where R', R" and R'" are as defined herein. As used herein, the term “azide” refers to a -N3 group. The term “sulfonamide” refers to a -S(O)2NR'R" group, with R' and R" as defined herein.

[0240] As used herein, the terms "halo" and "halide", which are referred to herein interchangeably, describe an atom of a halogen, that is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, also referred to herein as fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0241] As used herein the Tm value(s) when referred to a polymer encompasses a deviation from the disclosed value of up to ± 2 °C, or up to ± 2 °C, including any range or value therebetween.

[0242] It should be also apparent, that the terms “melting” and “softening” when referred to a composition (e.g. a shell, a core and/or the article disclosed herein) may be refered to the melting or softening of the polymeric component of such composition, so that the additional components optionally present within the composition (and are in a solid state at the Tm) are dispersed within the molten polymeric component. Accordingly, as used herein the term “melting point” or “melting temperature” when referred to a composition (e.g. a shell, a core and/or the article disclosed herein), may also encompass the Tm of one or more polymer (e.g. thermoplastic polymer and/or the moisture-curable polymer) present within the composition.

[0243] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.