Multi-layer optical films

• US 10,514,482 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hebrink, Timothy J., Roehrig, Mark A., Weigel, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, William R
• Application Number:
  US15/082,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20160209562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 359350-361
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 33/08 Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 33/12 Homopolymers or copolymers of methyl methacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/00 Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of polyester-amides C08L77/12; of polyester-imides C08L79/08; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0841 comprising organic materials, e.g. polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0891 Ultraviolet [UV] mirrors apparatus for microlithography exposure G03F7/70; X-ray multilayer structures G21K1/06
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/283 designed for the ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/287 comprising at least one layer of organic material

Abstract

Multi-layer optical film comprising optical layers reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over specified wavelength ranges. Embodiments of the multi-layer optical films are useful, for example, as a UV protective covering.

Claims

1. A UV stable multi-layer optical film comprising at least a plurality of first and second optical polymeric layers having opposing first and second major surfaces and collectively reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, a third optical polymeric layer proximate to the first major surface of the plurality of first and second optical polymeric layers, the third optical polymeric layer absorbing at least 50 percent incident UV light over at least a 30 nanometer wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and a fourth optical polymeric layer proximate to the second major surface of the plurality of at least first and second optical polymeric layers, wherein the fourth optical polymeric layer comprises polyethylene naphthalate.

2. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1, wherein incident UV light transmission through at least the plurality of first and second and third optical polymeric layers is less than 5 percent in a wavelength range from at least 300 nanometers to 400 nanometers.

3. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1 having a UV transmission band edge in a range from 10 to 90 percent transmission spanning less than 20 nanometers.

4. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1 having a UV transmission band edge in a range from 10 to 90 percent transmission spanning less than 10 nanometers.

5. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1 having a thickness in a range from 25 micrometers to 250 micrometers.

6. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the first and second optical layers have a collective thickness in a range from 15 micrometers to 25 micrometers.

7. An assembly comprising the UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1 and a barrier layer.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least first and second polymer layers separated by an inorganic barrier layer.

9. A composite article comprising a substrate having a major surface, and the assembly of claim 7 on at least a portion of the major surface.

10. A sign comprising the assembly of claim 7.

11. An LCD comprising the assembly of claim 7.

12. A building exterior comprising the assembly of claim 7.

13. A photovoltaic module comprising the assembly of claim 7.

14. A composite article comprising a substrate having a major surface, and the film of claim 1 on at least a portion of the major surface.

15. A vehicle window comprising the film of claim 1.

16. A commercial graphic sign comprising the film of claim 1.

17. A light assembly comprising the film of claim 1.

18. A sign comprising the film of claim 1.

19. An LCD comprising the film of claim 1.

20. A building exterior comprising the film of claim 1.

21. A photovoltaic module comprising the film of claim 1.

22. The photovoltaic module of claim 21 that is a flexible module.

23. The UV-stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1, wherein the first optical polymeric layers comprise at least one of PMMA, PC, or PET, and wherein the second optical polymeric layers comprise at least one of PMMA, CoPMMA, and copolymers derived from tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.

24. The UV stable multi-layer optical film of claim 23, wherein the at least first optical polymeric layer comprises PMMA or PC.

25. The UV-stable multi-layer optical film of claim 1, wherein the third optical polymeric layer comprises at least one of PET, CoPET, PC, PMMA, CoPMMA, or blends of PMMA and PVDF.