Novel gels and articles are formed from one or more copolymers having at least
one poly(ethylene) components and high levels of one or more plasticizers, said
gels having an amount of crystallinity, glassy components, and selected plasticizers
sufficient to achieve improvements in one or more physical properties including
improved crack propagation resistance, improved tear resistance, improved resistance
to fatigue, resistance to catastrophic failure, and exhibiting high strain under
elongations not obtainable in amorphous gels which high strain making the gel suitable
for use as film layers for artificial muscles.
