Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material obtained by in situ polymerization of a thermoplastic resin with additives with a fibrous material. More particularly the present invention relates to a polymeric composite material obtained by in-situ polymerization of a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic resin and a fibrous material utilizing additive technologies to improve properties such as surface properties, and its use, and processes for making such a composite material and manufactured mechanical or structured part or article comprising this polymeric composite material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material obtained by in situ polymerization of a thermoplastic resin with additives with a fibrous material. More particularly the present invention relates to a polymeric composite material obtained by in-situ polymerization of a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic resin and a fibrous material utilizing additive technologies to improve properties such as surface properties, and its use, and processes for making such a composite material and manufactured mechanical or structured part or article comprising this polymeric composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic layer (in the form of a coating, film or sheet) useful as part of a photovoltaic module backsheet. The acrylic layer contains at least 40 percent of one or more acrylic polymers, including an acrylic polymer matrix and optionally acrylic impact modifiers. The acrylic polymer is preferably a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer containing at least 50 weight percent of methylmethacrylate monomer units. The acrylic layer is flexible and optionally contains high levels of white pigment. It may also contain fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride to improve weathering, processibility and film formation. The acrylic layer adheres to a polymer support layer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A preferred substrate is PET that is pre-treated to improve adhesion, but unprimed PET can also be used. The backsheet provides excellent weatherability, environmental stability and reflectivity as part of a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical light diffusers for use with point light sources, such as LED lighting. The optical diffusers achieve an optimum balance of light transmission and hiding power. The optical light diffuser is a transparent plastic matrix, such as Plexiglas® resin from Arkema Inc., having organic particles dispersed within the matrix. The particles are crosslinked beads having specific particle sizes and loading. Different beads can be combined to provide added properties such as a textured surface, and to optimize hiding power and light transmission. The invention also relates to a luminous device containing at least one light-emitting diode and a cover made of the optical light diffuser. The invention further relates to a method for assessing hiding power.

Abstract: The invention relates to impact-modified, thermoplastic compositions, where the measured refractive index difference between the impact modifier particles and the matrix composition is greater than 0.008 units, yet a blend of the impact modifier particles in the matrix produces a transparent composition. The impact modifier particles are preferably impact modifier composite particles, being intimately blended with one or more polymeric process aids or dispersing aids. The polymeric process aids are physically or chemically attached to the impact modifier particles, forming composite particles that allow for facile powder isolation. The impact modifier composite particles provide improved physical, chemical, and/or rheological properties to the thermoplastic composition. Preferably the impact modifier particles of the invention are core-shell impact modifiers.

Abstract: The invention relates to impact-modified, thermoplastic compositions, where the measured refractive index difference between the impact modifier particles and the matrix composition is greater than 0.008 units, yet a blend of the impact modifier particles in the matrix produces a transparent composition. The impact modifier particles are preferably impact modifier composite particles, being intimately blended with one or more polymeric process aids or dispersing aids. The polymeric process aids are physically or chemically attached to the impact modifier particles, forming composite particles that allow for facile powder isolation. The impact modifier composite particles provide improved physical, chemical, and/or rheological properties to the thermoplastic composition. Preferably the impact modifier particles of the invention are core-shell impact modifiers.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical light diffusers for use with point light sources, such as LED lighting. The optical diffusers achieve an optimum balance of light transmission and hiding power. The optical light diffuser is a transparent plastic matrix, such as Plexiglas® resin from Arkema Inc., having organic particles dispersed within the matrix. The particles are crosslinked beads having specific particle sizes and loading. Different beads can be combined to provide added properties such as a textured surface, and to optimize hiding power and light transmission. The invention also relates to a luminous device containing at least one light-emitting diode and a cover made of the optical light diffuser. The invention further relates to a method for assessing hiding power.

Abstract: The invention relates to high Tg monolithic and multi-layer thermoformable film or sheet useful as a backsheet on a photovoltaic module (PV). A methacrylic-based material is preferred. The film or sheet is formed of a composition having a Tg greater than 110° C. The methacrylic composition may be a blend of a polymethyl methacrylate polymer and a miscible or semi-miscible high Tg polymer, or may be a copolymer containing primarily methyl methacrylate monomer units. The backsheet is optionally covered with a fluoropolymer or acrylic/fiuoropolymer covering on the outside (side facing the environment). The back-sheet can be clear, white, and/or pigmented. The film or sheet is especially useful in concentrating photovoltaic modules (CPV), and is also useful in thin film photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic layer (in the form of a coating, film or sheet) useful as part of a photovoltaic module backsheet. The acrylic layer contains at least 40 percent of one or more acrylic polymers, including an acrylic polymer matrix and optionally acrylic impact modifiers. The acrylic polymer is preferably a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer containing at least 50 weight percent of methylmethacrylate monomer units. The acrylic layer is flexible and optionally contains high levels of white pigment. It may also contain fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride to improve weathering, processibility and film formation. The acrylic layer adheres to a polymer support layer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A preferred substrate is PET that is pre-treated to improve adhesion, but unprimed PET can also be used. The backsheet provides excellent weatherability, environmental stability and reflectivity as part of a photovoltaic module.

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: Disclosed is an improved weatherable thermoplastic composition. The composition is comprised of a copolymer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate and (methyl)methacrylate and a multi-stage, sequentially-polymerized impact modifier polymer. The copolymer is characterized by greater than 15 weight percent alkyl acrylate content. The multi-stage, sequentially-polymerized impact modifier is characterized by an elastomer stage, which is 55 percent by weight or greater of the impact modifier composition and is minimally crosslinked. The thermoplastic composition can be used in a wide range of film, sheet, or molded applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite sheeting comprised of polystyrene having a thin protective layer of an acrylic ester polymer and a process for producing the composite sheeting. The process comprises joining a molten stream of each polymeric material in a single extruder discharge conduit such that there is produced a single molten stream having a reasonably well defined interface between the two types of polymeric material, and thereafter, passing the resulting single stream of material through a sheet-form extrusion die having its die lips generally aligned with the foregoing interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved weatherable thermoplastic composition. The composition is comprised of a copolymer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate and poly(methyl)methacrylate and a multi-stage, sequentially-polymerized impact modifier polymer. The copolymer is characterized by greater than 15 weight percent alkyl acrylate content. The multi-stage, sequentially-polymerized impact modifier is characterized by an elastomer stage, which is 55 percent by weight or greater of the impact modifier composition and is minimally crosslinked. The thermoplastic composition can be used in a wide range of film, sheet, or molded applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite sheeting comprised of polystyrene having a thin protective layer of an acrylic ester polymer and a process for producing the composite sheeting.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methacrylic polymer compositions which may be used to form plastic products which have increased resistance to discoloration by sterilizing radiation, such as gamma or electron beam irradiation. The compositions, free from conventional ultraviolet stabilizers, contain .alpha.-hydroxyacids or esters thereof.

Abstract: Tertiary-alkyl-substituted melamines stabilize certain polymers against the deleterious effects of light and heat.

Abstract: Plastics prepared from blends of polymers of methyl methacrylate with heterogeneous core/shell polymers having an poly(alkyl acrylate) core and a poly(alkyl methacrylate)shell exhibit improved color when the heterogeneous core/shell polymer is treated with a reducing agent.