Abstract: Provided herein are multilayer polymeric interlayers comprising ionomers and acoustic damping compositions, and glass laminates made from them, which provide an improved combination of hurricane resistance, acoustic damping properties and, optionally, solar barrier performance.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer containing a specified ionomer skin layer and an acoustic damping intermediate layer, and laminate containing such interlayer are provided, wherein the laminate has a desirable combination of sound insulating, flexural strength and optical properties suitable for use in transportation and architectural end uses.

Abstract: Provided herein is a translucent white polymer composition suitable for use as a safety glass interlayer. The translucent white polymer composition comprises a pigment and a polymeric resin that comprises an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. Alumina (Al2O3) and alumina trihydrate (Al(OH)3; “ATH”) are preferred pigments. The translucent white polymer composition is useful in various molded articles. The translucent white polymer composition is particularly useful as an interlayer in glass laminates, including safety glass laminates and structural glass laminates. Further provided herein are methods of making the translucent white polymer composition, the articles and the glass laminates.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer containing a specified ionomer skin layer and an acoustic damping intermediate layer, and laminate containing such interlayer are provided, wherein the laminate has a desirable combination of sound insulating, flexural strength and optical properties suitable for use in transportation and architectural end uses.

Abstract: Provided herein is a translucent white polymer composition suitable for use as a safety glass interlayer. The translucent white polymer composition comprises a pigment and a polymeric resin that comprises an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. Alumina (Al2O3) and alumina trihydrate (Al(OH)3; “ATH”) are preferred pigments. The translucent white polymer composition is useful in various molded articles. The translucent white polymer composition is particularly useful as an interlayer in glass laminates, including safety glass laminates and structural glass laminates. Further provided herein are methods of making the translucent white polymer composition, the articles and the glass laminates.

Abstract: The present invention is a decorative laminated article comprising an image bearing thermoplastic interlayer wherein the image has been printed on the interlayer using an ink jet printing process, wherein the pigment comprises at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of: PY 120; PY 155; PY 128; PY 180; PY 95; PY 93; PV19/PR 202; PR 122; PB 15:4; PB 15:3; and PBI 7. The interlayer material of the present invention can be, for example, PVB, PET, or polyurethane.

Abstract: Provided herein is a blend composition useful as a cross-linkable encapsulant layer and consisting essentially of two ethylene copolymers and optionally one or more additives. The first ethylene copolymer comprises copolymerized units of ethylene, optionally a first olefin having the formula CH2?C(R1)CO2R2, and a second olefin having the formula CH2?C(R3)COOH. The second ethylene copolymer consists essentially of copolymerized units of ethylene, optionally a first olefin having the formula CH2?C(R1)CO2R2, and a third olefin having the formula CH2?C(R4)D. R1, R3 and R4 represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; R2 represents an alkyl group; and D represents a moiety containing an epoxy group. Further provided are solar cell modules comprising the encapsulant layer. The encapsulant layer comprises the blend composition or the product of cross-linking the blend composition, in which some acid groups of the second olefin have reacted with some epoxy groups of the third olefin.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and a sheet comprising at least one layer of a sodium ionomer composition, wherein the sodium ionomer composition consists essentially of a sodium ionomer that is an ionic, neutralized derivative of a precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, wherein about 10% to about 35% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer have been neutralized with sodium ions, and wherein the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer comprises (i) copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and (ii) about 20 to about 25 wt %, based on the total weight of the ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains an oxidizable metal component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.5 to about 2 wt % of one or more chelating agent, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with an oxidizable metal component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains a silver component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of one or more unsaturated heterocyclic compounds, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with a silver component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for fabricating a solar cell module that is resistant to discoloration. The solar cell module comprises a solar cell assembly and an encapsulant. The solar cell assembly in turn comprises a solar cell and a metal component. The encapsulant is in contact with the metal component. The process comprises the step of applying an additive that prevents or reduces discoloration to the encapsulant or to the metal component. Further provided is a solar cell module that is a product of the process described herein.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains a metal component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.001 to about 10.0 wt % of one or more aldehyde scavengers, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with a metal component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: The present invention is a decorative laminated article comprising an image bearing thermoplastic interlayer wherein the image has been printed on the interlayer using an ink jet printing process, wherein the pigment comprises at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of: PY 120; PY 155; PY 128; PY 180; PY 95; PY 93; PV19/PR 202; PR 122; PB 15:4; PB 15:3; and PBI 7. The interlayer material of the present invention can be, for example, PVB, PET, or polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention is a decorative laminated article comprising an image bearing thermoplastic interlayer wherein the image has been printed on the interlayer using an ink jet printing process, wherein the pigment comprises at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of: PY 120; PY 155; PY 128; PY 180; PY 95; PY 93; PV19/PR 202; PR 122; PB 15:4; PB 15:3; and PBI 7. The interlayer material of the present invention can be, for example, PVB, PET, or polyurethane.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a solar cell assembly and a polymeric encapsulant material. The polymeric encapsulant material is in contact with components of the solar cell assembly that comprise oxidizable metals, such as silver. Discoloration may result when metal cations migrate into the encapsulant material. An improved encapsulant material described herein includes one or more reducing agents to lessen or prevent this discoloration.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains an oxidizable metal component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.5 to about 2 wt % of one or more hindered amine, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with an oxidizable metal component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains an oxidizable metal component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.5 to about 2 wt % of one or more chelating agent, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with an oxidizable metal component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains a silver component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of one or more unsaturated heterocyclic compounds, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with a silver component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and a sheet comprising at least one layer of a sodium ionomer composition, wherein the sodium ionomer composition consists essentially of a sodium ionomer that is an ionic, neutralized derivative of a precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, wherein about 10% to about 35% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer have been neutralized with sodium ions, and wherein the precursor ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer comprises (i) copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbons and (ii) about 20 to about 25 wt %, based on the total weight of the ?-olefin carboxylic acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved non-autoclave lamination process for manufacturing solar cell modules, which combines a laminator and at least one pair of confronting nip rollers.