Technological watch

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions containing the polymer formed from a variety of polycycloolefinic monomers at least one of which monomer contains an additional unpolymerized ethylenic bond, melamine, clay such as bentonite or montmorillonite, optionally fillers such as hexagonal boron nitride or silica, a crosslinker, a free radical initiator, a tackifier and one or more suitable additives. The compositions of this invention can be formed into a variety of three-dimensional insulating articles upon exposure to suitable high temperature, such as for example films. The objects formed from the compositions of this invention exhibit hitherto unattainable low dielectric constant and low-loss properties, fire-retardancy and very high thermal properties. The compositions of this invention are useful in various applications, including as insulating materials in millimeter wave radar antennas, among others. The films formed from the compositions of this invention exhibit a UL-94 rating of at least V-1, dielectric constant (Dk) less than 2.9 and dielectric dissipation factor (Df) of less than 0.003.