Abstract: The present invention describes laminate articles comprising a stiff, low-color PVB sheet having a YID of less than 12 and having a low concentration of plasticizer in the PVB composition, wherein the sheet is prepared from a composition that includes a PVB bleaching compound. A sheet of the present invention is useful for making glass laminates useful for parts in making cars, boats, trains, buildings, display cases, and other articles that utilize transparent glass laminates.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminate article comprising at least three layers of plasticized polyvinylbutyral (PVB) sheet, wherein at least one layer of the laminate is a stiff PVB sheet and at least two layers are soft PVB sheets. A laminate article of the present invention is useful for providing increased protection from damages occurring to automobiles, buildings, and windows by virtue of exposure of same to, for example, hurricane force winds, impact from debris propelled by high-force winds, or by intentional impact against windows comprising the laminates of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayers for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces characterized by flat surfaces with substantially uninterrupted channels for air flow in at least two intersecting directions. The channels allow for rapid de-airing while the area roughness parameter ratio ARp/ARt in the range of 0.52 to 0.62, ARt being less than 32 &mgr;m, and area kurtosis less than 2.5, allow for ease of tacking of the interlayer onto glass and edge sealing after de-airing has been completed. Said surface pattern may also be superimposed onto a pattern which is generated by melt fracture or other means on at least one side to enhance de-airing and aid edge sealing.

Abstract: A laminar structure comprised of at least two layers FORCE (16, 20) of glass and a sheet (18) of plasticized PVB containing an adhesion control additive is provided wherein the difference in adhesion between the PVB interlayer and the glass due to glass orientation is minimized by including a leveling agent in the bulk or on the surface of the sheet of plasticized PVB or by coating the leveling agent onto the glass prior to laminating.

Abstract: A laminar structure comprised of at least one layer of glass and a sheet of plasticized PVB containing an adhesion control agent is provided wherein pin point pockets of air which are entrapped in said sheet coalesce and cause delamination of said structure, delayed delamination and associated defects are prevented by adding a nucleating agent with the plasticized PVB by coating the sheet or glass surface with a nucleating agent, by extruding the PVB sheet with the nucleating agent in the composition, or by forming the nucleating agent in situ during the extrusion or lamination process.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayers for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces characterized by flat surfaces with substantially uninterrupted channels for air flow in at least two intersecting directions. The channels allow for rapid de-airing while the area roughness parameter ratio ARp/ARt in the range of 0.52 to 0.62, ARt being less than 32 &mgr;m. and area kurtosis less than 2.5, allow for ease of tacking of the interlayer onto glass and edge sealing after de-airing has been completed. Said surface pattern may also be superimposed onto a pattern which is generated by melt fracture or other means on at least one side to enhance de-airing and aid edge sealing.

Abstract: A laminar structure comprised of at least one layer of glass and a sheet of plasticized PVB containing an adhesion control agent is provided wherein delamination resulting from air being from air being dispersed or entrapped and dissolved in the PVB is controlled by use of a surface energy modifying agent, said surface energy modifying agent being selected to provide a total surface energy for the sheet of less than 52 dynes/cm.

Abstract: Composite coatings are provided having a variable thickness and a gradient coloration in the cross-web direction using a premetered extrusion coating process wherein a pigmented coating composition and a non-pigmented coating composition are simultaneously extruded onto a carrier film. The composite coatings are useful in preparing laminated structures such as automobile windshields with a colored gradient band.