Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices that has been coated with a polymer binder composition having polymer particles of two different sizes, one fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of less than 1.5 micron, and the other fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of greater than 1.5 microns. The bi-modal polymer particles provide an uneven coating surface that creates voids between the separator and adjoining electrodes, allowing for expansion of the battery components during the charging and discharging cycle, with little or no increase in the size of the battery itself. The bi-modal polymer coating can be used in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: A one-pack polymer modifier containing a) at least one process aid functionalized with a reactive epoxy, hydroxyl, ?-keto ester, ?-keto amide or carboxylic acid functional group, b) at least one impact modifier, c) optionally, at least one mineral filler and d) optionally, at least one further additive is useful for modifying the properties of thermoplastic polymers such as PVC, including reducing the surface gloss of an article prepared from the thermoplastic polymer and improving the impact strength of such an article.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer thermoplastic composites, and in particular composites having fluoropolymer in the outer layer and a thermoplastic substrate layer. The fluoropolymer outer layer may either be a layer comprising a majority, and preferably 100 percent fluoropolymer, or may be a blend of a thermoplastic matrix with fluoropolymer at a level of from 5 to 60 weight percent, based on the total weight of all polymers. Especially useful thermoplastic matrices include acrylic polymers, and styrenic polymers, especially styrenic copolymers such as acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate (ASA), acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS) and styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN). While the fluoropolymer may be any fluoropolymer, thermoplastic fluoropolymers, such as polymers and copolymers of polyvinylidene fluoride are especially useful.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices that has been coated with a polymer binder composition having polymer particles of two different sizes, one fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of less than 1.5 micron, and the other fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of greater than 1.5 microns. The bi-modal polymer particles provide an uneven coating surface that creates voids between the separator and adjoining electrodes, allowing for expansion of the battery components during the charging and discharging cycle, with little or no increase in the size of the battery itself. The bi-modal polymer coating can be used in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilayer composites having improved weathering properties without reducing flame retardation properties. The composites have a fluoropolymer layer over a thermoplastic layer. The multilayer composite may be a fluoropolymer layer directly over a relatively flammable substrate or non-flammable substrate (like PVC), or it may be a fluoropolymer layer over a relatively flammable cap layer, over a substrate (that is flammable or non-flammable). The composite is formed using coating, coextrusion and/or lamination techniques. The multilayer composite is especially useful in articles having surfaces that are used in a relatively horizontal position, including decking, railings, roofing and window profiles. The composites provide improved weathering for the substrate without a reduction in flame-resistance, when compared to the substrate without the outer fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: A one-pack polymer modifier containing a) at least one process aid functionalized with a reactive epoxy, hydroxyl, ?-keto ester, ?-keto amide or carboxylic acid functional group, b) at least one impact modifier, c) optionally, at least one mineral filler and d) optionally, at least one further additive is useful for modifying the properties of thermoplastic polymers such as PVC, including reducing the surface gloss of an article prepared from the thermoplastic polymer and improving the impact strength of such an article.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilayer composites having improved weathering properties without reducing flame retardation properties. The composites have a fluoropolymer layer over a thermoplastic layer. The multilayer composite may be a fluoropolymer layer directly over a relatively flammable substrate or non-flammable substrate (like PVC), or it may be a fluoropolymer layer over a relatively flammable cap layer, over a substrate (that is flammable or non-flammable). The composite is formed using coating, coextrusion and/or lamination techniques. The multilayer composite is especially useful in articles having surfaces that are used in a relatively horizontal position, including decking, railings, roofing and window profiles. The composites provide improved weathering for the substrate without a reduction in flame-resistance, when compared to the substrate without the outer fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilayer composites having improved weathering properties without reducing flame retardation properties. The composites have a fluoropolymer layer over a thermoplastic layer. The multilayer composite may be a fluoropolymer layer directly over a relatively flammable substrate or non-flammable substrate (like PVC), or it may be a fluoropolymer layer over a relatively flammable cap layer, over a substrate (that is flammable or non-flammable). The composite is formed using coating, coextrusion and/or lamination techniques. The multilayer composite is especially useful in articles having surfaces that are used in a relatively horizontal position, including decking, railings, roofing and window profiles. The composites provide improved weathering for the substrate without a reduction in flame-resistance, when compared to the substrate without the outer fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic sheet having a high Tg, and especially for the use of the high Tg acrylic sheet as a front sheet of a photovoltaic module. The high Tg acrylic polymer is a copolymer of polymethylmethacrylate and one or more higher Tg monomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer weatherable film structure having an outer layer of a highly weatherable film, a layer having a high thermal deformation temperature, an optional tie layer, and a thin layer of polyolefin or polyamide. The highly weatherable film layer preferably is polyvinylidene fluoride. The polyolefin or polyamide layer is less than 500 microns in thickness, and preferably the whole film structure is less than 750 microns thick. The polyolefinjpolyamide side of the film structure can easily be adhered to many different substances—especially polyolefins and polyamides. This film can be used to provide a highly weatherable protective layer a substrate. One useful application for the film is in a photovoltaic module to protect the back side of the module from weathering and abrasion. The multi-layer film structure can be adhered to a typical polyolefin-based encapsulant layer and used as a backsheet encapsulant in a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilayer composites having improved weathering properties without reducing flame retardation properties. The composites have a fluoropolymer layer over a thermoplastic layer. The multilayer composite may be a fluoropolymer layer directly over a relatively flammable substrate or non-flammable substrate (like PVC), or it may be a fluoropolymer layer over a relatively flammable cap layer, over a substrate (that is flammable or non-flammable). The composite is formed using coating, coextrusion and/or lamination techniques. The multilayer composite is especially useful in articles having surfaces that are used in a relatively horizontal position, including decking, railings, roofing and window profiles. The composites provide improved weathering for the substrate without a reduction in flame-resistance, when compared to the substrate without the outer fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer thermoplastic composites, and in particular composites having fluoropolymer in the outer layer and a thermoplastic substrate layer. The fluoropolymer outer layer may either be a layer comprising a majority, and preferably 100 percent fluoropolymer, or may be a blend of a thermoplastic matrix with fluoropolymer at a level of from 5 to 60 weight percent, based on the total weight of all polymers. Especially useful thermoplastic matrices include acrylic polymers, and styrenic polymers, especially styrenic copolymers such as acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate (ASA), acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS) and styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN). While the fluoropolymer may be any fluoropolymer, thermoplastic fluoropolymers, such as polymers and copolymers of polyvinylidene fluoride are especially useful.

Abstract: The invention provides a weatherable composite including a moisture barrier system having a moisture vapor transmission rate at or below 1×10?2 g/m2/day, at least one weatherable layer or coating, and a substrate that is disposed between the moisture barrier system and the weatherable layer or coating. The weatherable composite may be adhered to one or both sides (e.g., front and back) of a photovoltaic thin-film cell or organic light emitting diode such that the weatherable layer(s) or coating side(s) of the weatherable composite is exposed to the environment. The weatherable composite protects the device from both moisture and UV exposure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable adhesive system for use in bonding a high thermal deformation temperature layer to a UV opaque, pigmented or non-pigmented fluoropolymer film The radiation curable adhesive system uses an adhesive composition optimized for cure using long wavelength UV energy. The adhesive system may also be optimized for curing by LED or e-beam radiation. The system is designed for curing through a UV opaque fluoropolymer film—and especially where titanium dioxide is used as the pigment. A preferred multilayer film structure is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/curable adhesive/polyester terephthalate (PET) structure. This film structure is especially useful as a backsheet for a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer weatherable film structure having an outer layer of a highly weatherable film, a layer having a high thermal deformation temperature, an optional tie layer, and a thin layer of polyolefin or polyamide. The highly weatherable film layer preferably is polyvinylidene fluoride. The polyolefin or polyamide layer is less than 500 microns in thickness, and preferably the whole film structure is less than 750 microns thick. The polyolefinjpolyamide side of the film structure can easily be adhered to many different substances—especially polyolefins and polyamides. This film can be used to provide a highly weatherable protective layer a substrate. One useful application for the film is in a photovoltaic module to protect the back side of the module from weathering and abrasion. The multi-layer film structure can be adhered to a typical polyolefin-based encapsulant layer and used as a backsheet encapsulant in a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A double-layer thermoplastic film of a photovoltaic module, including two layers, one forms the encapsulator and the other forms the backsheet, wherein: a) the encapsulator is a layer including at least one polyolefin containing a polyethylene selected from a homopolymer of ethylene or a copolymer comprising at least 50 mol % of ethylene and at least one comonomer and between 0% and 100% of a polyamide grafted polymer comprising a polyolefin trunk that represents between 50 mass % and 95 mass % of the polyamide grafted polymer containing a radical of at least one unsaturated monomer (X) and at least one polyamide graft that represents between 5 mass % and 50 mass % of said polyamide grafted polymer; and b) the backsheet comprises a layer formed from a polyamide grafted polymer that is identical to that of the encapsulator except that it has a flow temperature higher than 160° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer acrylic composition having at least two impact modified layers. The outer layer is an acrylic layer containing impact modifiers having a particle size of less than 225 nm, and the impact modifiers in the inner thermoplastic layer have a particle size of greater than or equal to 225 nm. The invention also relates to multi-layer composites having the multi-layer acrylic composition on one or both sides. The multi-layer acrylic composition can also include blends of acrylic and fluoropolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic sheet having a high Tg, and especially for the use of the high Tg acrylic sheet as a front sheet of a photovoltaic module. The high Tg acrylic polymer is a copolymer of polymethylmethacrylate and one or more higher Tg monomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moulded object made of a transparent and colored plastic exhibiting a polychromatic effect, characterized in that the transparent plastic comprises from 0.1 to 1500 ppm of at least one fluorescent dye and from 50 to 10 000 ppm of at least one optical brightener. It also relates to the resin used for forming the moulded object. It also relates to a light device combining the said moulded object with at least one artificial light source which exhibits an emission in the region of excitation of the optical brightener, in particular in the 300-450 nm range, preferably 350-420 nm range, more preferably still 350-400 nm range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moulded object made of a transparent and coloured plastic exhibiting a polychromatic effect, characterized in that the transparent plastic comprises from 0.1 to 1500 ppm of at least one fluorescent dye and from 50 to 10 000 ppm of at least one optical brightener. It also relates to the resin used for forming the moulded object. It also relates to a light device combining the said moulded object with at least one artificial light source which exhibits an emission in the region of excitation of the optical brightener, in particular in the 300-450 nm range, preferably 350-420 nm range, more preferably still 350-400 nm range.