Solutia Incorporated

Eastman Chemical Company

Wenjie Chen

Jun Lu

John Joseph D'Errico

Aristotelis Karagiannis

Yinong Ma

Curtis Schilling, Iii

Yalda Farhoudi

Lora Lee Spangler

Weihong Cui

Witold Szydlowski

Helen Mackin Thompson

Andrew Neil Smith

Peter Borden Mackenzie

Bruce Edward Wade

Zhou Li

Scott Evan Pickett

Gary Matis

Kimberley Carmenia Carico

Pinguan Zheng

Roland Claus Thielsch

Jeffrey Benedict Hurlbut

Benjamin B Thompson

Jeffrey B Hurlbut

Benjamin Bristol Thompson

Curtis Louis Iii Schilling

Multiple layer interlayers having enhanced optical and acoustic properties are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Interlayers as described herein may include at least two outer skin layers and an inner core layer, with one of the outer skin layers having a different thickness than the other at one or more locations along the interlayer. The multi-layer interlayer may also exhibit acoustic properties and, in some cases, may have an overall wedged thickness profile. Additionally, in some aspects, interlayers and laminates formed therefrom may also provide reduced infrared energy transmission, without sacrificing acoustic and/or optical performance.

Wedge-shaped multi-layer interlayer with outer skin layers of varying thickness

A polymer interlayer having improved sound insulation is disclosed. The polymer interlayer comprises: at least one soft layer wherein the soft layer comprises a poly(vinyl butyral) resin composition having a dispersity in composition of at least 0.40 and a plasticizer; and a stiff layer comprising a poly(vinyl butyral) resin composition and a plasticizer; wherein the polymer interlayer has a damping loss factor () (as measured by Mechanical Impedance Measurement according to ISO 16940) of at least about 0.15 measured at two or more different temperatures selected from 10&#xb0; C., 20&#xb0; C. and 30&#xb0; C.

Multilayer interlayer having sound damping properties over a broad temperature range

Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising two or more thermoplastic polymers and at least one RI balancing agent for adjusting the refractive index of at least one of the resins or layers is provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers exhibit enhanced optical properties while retaining other properties, such as impact resistance and acoustic performance.

Poly(vinyl acetal) resin compositions, layers, and interlayers having enhanced optical properties

An interlayer comprising a first polymer layer, a polarization rotary optical film and optionally a second polymer layer, and multiple layer panels formed from such interlayers. The panels may exhibit desirable optical properties, including, for example, less image 'ghosting,' when used as part of a heads-up-display (HUD) display panel for use in automotive and aircraft applications.

Interlayers comprising optical films having enhanced optical properties

A polymer interlayer comprising a layer comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin having a residual hydroxyl content and a residual acetate content, and a plasticizer, wherein the residual hydroxyl content, the residual acetate content and the plasticizer are selected such that the polymer interlayer has at least one glass transition temperature less than about 20&#xb0; C. and a peak tan delta of greater than 1.33, and a glass panel having a configuration of 2.3-mm glass//interlayer//2.3-mm glass and at 20&#xb0; C. has a transmission loss, TL, of greater than 42 decibels as measured by weighted average sound transmission loss at 2000 to 8000 Hz, and a transmission loss, TL, of greater than 38 decibels at the coincident frequency is disclosed.

Polymer interlayers having improved sound insulation properties

An interlayer comprised of a thermoplastic resin, varying amounts of an epoxidized vegetable oil, and, optionally, a conventional plasticizer. The use of a thermoplastic resin, an epoxidized vegetable (plant) oil, and, optionally, a conventional plasticizer creates synergy allowing the flow of the interlayer to be increased without sacrificing other characteristics typically associated with an increased flow (e.g., increased blocking and creep, exudation, surface roughness formation, decreased mechanical strength, and decreased manufacturing capability). In this regard, the epoxidized vegetable oil acts as a flow improvement agent, resulting in a high-flow interlayer. As a result, a thinner interlayer can be utilized in forming multiple layer panels because the resulting thinner interlayer has improved flow properties.

Polymer interlayers comprising epoxidized vegetable oil

A polymer composition comprising a first poly(vinyl butyral) resin having a first residual hydroxyl content; a second poly(vinyl butyral) resin having a second residual hydroxyl content; a plasticizer; and at least one compatibilizer, such as an anhydride compatibilizer; wherein the difference between the first and second residual hydroxyl contents is at least 2 wt. %, and wherein the polymer composition has a percent haze of less than 5%. The use of a compatibilizer reduces or minimizes the optical defects, such as haze and color, without sacrificing other characteristics of the composition. The composition may be used in an interlayer.

Polymer interlayers comprising a compatibilizer

An interlayer comprised of a thermoplastic resin, at least one high refractive index plasticizer and, optionally, a conventional plasticizer. The use of a thermoplastic resin, a high refractive index plasticizer, and, optionally, a conventional plasticizer reduces or minimizes the optical defects caused by different refractive indices without sacrificing other characteristics of the interlayer.

Polymer interlayers having improved optical properties

An interlayer comprised of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive. The use of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive reduces or minimizes the optical defects (such as high color or yellowness and increased haze) caused by discoloration of the pigment without sacrificing other characteristics of the interlayer.

Polymer interlayers comprising stabilized fluorescent particles

Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising two or more poly(vinyl acetal) resins and at least one blending agent or haze reducing agent are provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers exhibit enhanced optical properties while retaining other properties, such as impact resistance and acoustic performance.

Blends of poly(vinyl acetal) resins for compositions, layers, and interlayers having enhanced optical properties

Multiple layer interlayers comprising pairs of alternating polymer layers are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Multiple layer interlayers according to embodiments of the present invention may include more than three polymer layers and may exhibit desirable acoustic and optical properties, which may make them suitable for use in various types of multiple layer panels, including safety glass for automotive and architectural applications.

Growing community of inventors

Amherst, MA, United States of America

Wenjie Chen