Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell backsheet, comprising a functional layer wherein the functional layer comprises a polyethylene alloy and a semi-crystalline polymer such as polypropylene, preferably at least 10 wt % of polypropylenes based on the total weight of the polymers in the functional layer. The polypropylene is selected from a polypropylene homo- or copolymer, the copolymer is a random or block copolymer. The polyethylene alloy comprises a copolymer containing an ethylene segment (—CH2-CH2-) which is selected from one or more of ethylene acrylate copolymer, ethylene-hexene copolymer, ethylene-octene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The functional layer further comprises an inorganic filler selected from one of calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, mica, talc, kaolin, glass microbeads and glass fibers. The present invention also relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the backsheet according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a back-sheet comprising a weatherable layer, a structural layer and a functional layer whereby one of the layers comprises polybutylene terephthalate and one or both of the other layers comprises a polyolefin. The layer comprising polybutylene terephthalate preferably further comprises an impact modifier. The impact modifier comprises an elastomer that contains functional groups that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the polybutylene terephthalate and wherein the elastomer constitutes the dispersed phase at a concentration of 1-49 Vol %. Preferably the elastomer contains epoxy functional groups. The polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene homo or copolymers, polypropylene homo or (block-)copolymers, cyclic olefin copolymers, polymethylpentene, a thermoplastic polyolefine (TPO), or blends thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a backsheet for photovoltaic modules comprising a polymeric layer comprising an aliphatic polyamide comprising 1,10-decanedioic acid. Examples of such aliphatic polyamides are polyamide 4,10, polyamide 5,10 or polyamide 6,10. Preferably polyamide 4,10 is present in the rear layer of the backsheet. A polyolefin layer is preferably present in the core layer of the backsheet. It is however also possible that the polyamide is present in the core layer and polyolefin is present in the rear layer of the backsheet. The polyolefin is preferably chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene or ethylene-propylene copolymers. More preferably the polyolefin is polypropylene. The backsheet preferably comprises at least a further polymeric layer comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of an optionally functionalized polyolefin such as a maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene homo or copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a back-sheet comprising a weatherable layer, a structural layer and a functional layer whereby one of the layers comprises polybutylene terephthalate and one or both of the other layers comprises a polyolefin. The layer comprising polybutylene terephthalate preferably further comprises an impact modifier. The impact modifier comprises an elastomer that contains functional groups that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the polybutylene terephthalate and wherein the elastomer constitutes the dispersed phase at a concentration of 1-49 Vol %. Preferably the elastomer contains epoxy functional groups. The polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene homo or copolymers, polypropylene homo or (block-)copolymers, cyclic olefin copolymers, polymethylpentene, a thermoplastic polyolefine (TPO), or blends thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-conductive back-sheet for back-contact photovoltaic cell technologies comprising an aluminum layer, a cold sprayed metal layer on top of the aluminum layer and a polymeric back-sheet having an (OTR) of at least 20 cm3/m2·atm per day. The metal used for the metal layer is chosen from the group consisting of copper, tin, silver or nickel, or mixtures of two or more thereof or alloys of two or more thereof. Preferably the metal is copper. The metal layer preferably has a thickness in the range of 50 nm-10 ?m. The present invention further relates to process for the manufacturing of the electro-conductive back-sheet. The present invention also relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the electro-conductive back-sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solar-cell module backing layer obtained by co-extruding obtained by melt co-extruding (i) a first polymer composition comprising (a) a polyamide, (b) an elastomer and (c) an elastomer that contains groups that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the polyamide, and wherein the first polymer composition comprises from 10 to 90 wt. % of the polyamide (a) and from 10 to 90 wt. % of the elastomer (b) and (c) (of the total weight of polyamide (a) and elastomer (b) and (c) present in the first polymer composition) and (ii) a second polymer composition comprising from 50-98 wt. % of elastomer and from 0.15-5 wt. % of groups (based on the total weight of the second polymer composition) that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the solar cell and optionally with the first polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell backsheet, comprising a functional layer wherein the functional layer comprises a polyethylene alloy and a semi-crystalline polymer such as polypropylene, preferably at least 10 wt % of polypropylenes based on the total weight of the polymers in the functional layer. The polypropylene is selected from a polypropylene homo- or copolymer, the copolymer is a random or block copolymer. The polyethylene alloy comprises a copolymer containing an ethylene segment (—CH2-CH2-) which is selected from one or more of ethylene acrylate copolymer, ethylene-hexene copolymer, ethylene-octene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The functional layer further comprises an inorganic filler selected from one of calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, mica, talc, kaolin, glass microbeads and glass fibers. The present invention also relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the backsheet according to the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser-markable polyamide composition comprising: a first phase comprising Sb2O3 and an aliphatic polyamide with an amide density AD1, and a second phase comprising an aliphatic polyamide with an amide density AD2, wherein AD1-AD2 is at least 0.01, and wherein the amount of Sb2O3 is between 0.1 and 5 wt %, a halogen-free flame retardant in an amount of between 1 to 25 wt %, wherein the amount in weight percentage are based on the total amount of composition. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a laser-markable polyamide composition, as well as laser-marked products comprising the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigments based on bismuth compounds and to the use thereof, preferably as laser-absorbing additive, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres and to their use, preferably as laser absorbing additive, and to a process for their production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigments based on bismuth compounds and to the use thereof, preferably as laser-absorbent additive, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solar-cell module backing layer obtained by co-extruding obtained by melt co-extruding (i) a first polymer composition comprising (a) a polyamide, (b) an elastomer and (c) an elastomer that contains groups that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the polyamide, and wherein the first polymer composition comprises from 10 to 90 wt. % of the polyamide (a) and from 10 to 90 wt. % of the elastomer (b) and (c) (of the total weight of polyamide (a) and elastomer (b) and (c) present in the first polymer composition) and (ii) a second polymer composition comprising from 50-98 wt. % of elastomer and from 0.15-5 wt. % of groups (based on the total weight of the second polymer composition) that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the solar cell and optionally with the first polymer composition.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a solar-cell module backing monolayer obtained by melt-extruding a polymer composition comprising (a) a polyamide, (b) an elastomer and (c) an elastomer that contains groups that bond chemically and/or interact physically with the polyamide, and wherein the elastomer constitutes the continuous phase of the polymer composition and the polyamide constitutes the dispersed phase of the polymer composition, characterized in that the polymer composition comprises from 10 to 50 wt. % of the polyamide (a) and from 50 to 90 wt. % of the elastomer (b) and (c) (of the total weight of polyamide (a) and elastomer (b) and (c) present in the polymer composition).

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser-markable polyamide composition comprising: a first phase comprising Sb2O3 and an aliphatic polyamide with an amide density AD1, and a second phase comprising an aliphatic polyamide with an amide density AD2, wherein AD1-AD2 is at least 0.01, and wherein the amount of Sb2O3 is between 0.1 and 5 wt %, a halogen-free flame retardant in an amount of between 1 to 25 wt %, wherein the amount in weight percentage are based on the total amount of composition. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a laser-markable polyamide composition, as well as laser-marked products comprising the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigments based on bismuth compounds and to the use thereof, preferably as laser-absorbent additive, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigments based on bismuth compounds and to the use thereof, preferably as laser-absorbing additive, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laser-marking additive wherein the laser-marking additive comprises a bismuth containing compound and a functionalized polymer having 0.01 to 50 wt % of functional groups, in which the weight percentage is based on the total amount of functionalized polymer and bismuth containing compound. The invention further relates to a method for preparation of such laser-marking additive, a laser-markable composition comprising such laser-marking additives and preparation thereof and molded parts comprising the laser-markable composition, as well as films made from the laser-markable composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres and to their use, preferably as laser absorbing additive, and to a process for their production.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laser-marking additive wherein the laser-marking additive comprises a bismuth containing compound and a functionalized polymer having 0.01 to 50 wt % of functional groups, in which the weight percentage is based on the total amount of functionalized polymer and bismuth containing compound. The invention further relates to a method for preparation of such laser-marking additive, a laser-markable composition comprising such laser-marking additives and preparation thereof and molded parts comprising the laser-markable composition, as well as films made from the laser-markable composition.

Abstract: A method for producing optical rod-shaped graded-index polymer preform by making the composition of the preform near the core differ from the composition of the shell of the preform by polymerization with rotation of a mixture containing the starting substances, whereby a mixture comprising various monomers is rotated and that after achieving a distribution of the monomers, the polymerization is carried out with rotation of the mixture, or that a monomer and thermoplastic polymer-containing mixture, whereby said monomer is different from the monomer from which said polymer has been prepared, is rotated and that, after achieving a distribution of said monomer and polymer, the monomer present in said mixture is subsequently polymerized with rotation, in which both cases the rotation is carried out with a diameter dependent rotation velocity, represented by the following general equation: rpm>10,000 d.sup.-0.5 wherein: rpm=rotation velocity, revolutions per minute d=diameter of the preform (cm).