Multilayer-based LED lighting element with a solid stone appearance

Abstract

A multi-layer body is described which can be illuminated by edge lighting and optionally also by backlighting and has a stone-like appearance. In addition to the stone layer, a layer made of a thermoplastic material is provided, with a translucent dark layer arranged on the side opposite the stone layer. This structure is not only an attractive design element with a day / night design in interior and facade configurations of buildings, but can also be used in various ways in the automotive field.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an illuminable multi-layer body having a carrier layer composed of a thermoplastic material and a stone layer, which has a stone appearance.

[0002] In the fields of interior architecture of buildings and automotive interiors, there is a desire to equip surfaces with a natural appearance. In particular, the impressions of wood and stone create a comfortable, nature-friendly and high-class modern atmosphere. In this regard, stone is of interest as a surface because the thickness and solidity emanating from this material imply luxury. If granite elements are selected, for example, as washbasin edgings, kitchen countertops, floor or wall claddings, they are indeed a luxury element due to the cost of the material. At the same time, due to their high self-weight, they make installation difficult. There is a need for configuration elements having a stone appearance. In order to reduce the weight of the corresponding elements, elements using multi-layer bodies instead of solid stone elements have been developed in the past, where the thickness of the stone layer is reduced and a carrier layer is provided instead for stability.

[0003] For example, a composite material is known from DE 102005038022 A1, which has a flexible carrier layer made of plastic, which is joined to a light-transmissive natural stone layer without an adhesive layer. The use of the composite material as a cladding element especially for wall and facade claddings is disclosed.

[0004] German utility model DE 202006013010 U1 describes a flexible planar material having a natural stone surface, which, in addition to the stone layer, has a flexible carrier layer, wherein the planar material is provided with an adhesive layer for fixing to a substrate, since the planar material is used as a floor covering and also as a cladding element for walls, furniture, etc., in order to create a decorative stone surface with a solid effect.

[0005] WO 2000 / 068530 A1 also describes a multi-layer molded body, which has a colored carrier layer and a thin natural stone layer visible on the surface, which is notable for a specific color intensity imparted by the color of the carrier layer. The molded body is preferably flexible, wherein the grain microstructure of the natural stone layer is decomposed. The molded body has a transparent cover layer, which imparts a uniform, smooth and optionally also glossy surface to the molded body despite the decomposition of the grain microstructure of the natural stone layer. Possible uses that can be mentioned are especially wall panels for external and internal areas and automotive dashboards.

[0006] WO 2004 / 052561 A1 describes a method for manufacturing a multi-layer body having a stone layer, wherein a polymer is applied to a stone element, then it is joined to a surface and peeled off together with a layer of stone from the stone element. A seal can be provided on the visible surface of the multi-layer body. Compared to a solid stone slab of the same thickness, the weight of the multi-layer body is significantly reduced. The use of the multi-layer body for floor coverings and wall panels is described.

[0007] Likewise, in both the automotive and building sectors, an important aspect of the interior configuration is the provision of light. In addition to traditional lighting fixtures (including those with design requirements), lighting elements are integrated in an unobtrusive manner into walls, cabinets or floor areas.

[0008] Due to their long lifespan, their low energy consumption and good light output, LED light sources are being used more and more widely, for example in the automotive industry, aviation, interior space lighting, facade configurations, etc. The wavelength of the light emitted by an LED depends on the semiconductor material and dopants, so LEDs can be used to produce near-monochromatic light, even in the infrared range or the UV range.

[0009] There are RGB-LEDs that emit red, green or blue light. For white LED light, light of different wavelengths must be combined. This is usually achieved by combining blue-emitting, red-emitting and green-emitting LEDs into a so-called RGB (red-green-blue) module (the combined light impression perceived by the module can be white), or by means of a luminescence technique that converts all or part of the LED radiation into other wavelengths, for example by means of a phosphor.

[0010] For example, white light can be produced from a blue-emitting LED in the visible light region by adding a single phosphor that converts part of the radiation in the blue range into red / yellow light. Due to cost reasons and the high efficiency of blue LEDs, this form of white light production is preferred for commercial applications.

[0011] Alternatively, white light can be produced from UV light generated by an LED with the aid of three different phosphors that emit wavelengths corresponding to an RGB module. If this technique is used, the composition preferably has increased stability to UV radiation, i.e. is equipped with UV stability, for example.

[0012] In order to set an overall colour impression deviating from "white" in an LED module, the above light sources can also be further modified as required. This modification can be carried out, for example, by:

[0013] - combining with a phosphor dye or

[0014] - combining with other light sources having other emission characteristics.

[0015] Combining a stone appearance with light elements is known from the prior art. For example, WO 2009 / 110870 A1 describes a veneer made of a thin, still light-transmissive stone layer from 0.3 to 1.5 mm on a transparent, translucent or opaque carrier layer composed of glass, polycarbonate or other suitable material, where the element can be supplied for a variety of applications, and in particular backlighting can be mentioned.

[0016] However, there is still a need for alternative decorative or functional elements with a stone appearance that have as attractive a day / night design as possible and as low an inherent weight as possible considering the aforementioned high surface quality. Elements with a stone appearance in the day design should look as solid as a real thick stone, but for the night design, highly variable and customizable lighting effects should be achieved simultaneously. Therefore, the object is to provide corresponding elements.

[0017] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by an LED lighting unit comprising

[0018] a) a multi-layer body and

[0019] b) a first LED light source,

[0020] wherein the multi-layer body sequentially comprises the following layers:

[0021] a1) a carrier layer made of a translucent black or translucent gray thermoplastic composition,

[0022] a2) a stone layer with an average thickness of ≤ 2 mm over the entire surface of the stone layer,

[0023] a3) a transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition with an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm over the entire surface, which is located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multi-layer body in the LED lighting unit,

[0024] wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 such that the transparent layer a3 can be used as the light emitted by the LED light source.

[0025] Due to the translucent dark color, that is, the translucent black or translucent gray carrier layer, even though the thickness of the stone layer is very low, even in the case of a thickness of 0.05 mm to ≤ 0.3 mm, the multi-layer body appears as if it has a significantly thicker and very solid stone layer. When the carrier material used is a translucent black material, the multi-layer body appears to be of particularly high quality. Such materials are described in WO 2019 / 020478 A1, and the content regarding suitable compositions with corresponding color effects, including a more detailed description of the components, the embodiments mentioned as preferred, and the examples demonstrating the feasibility, should be part of this disclosure.

[0026] The LED lighting unit preferably further has a second light source, which is arranged such that it is used as backlighting for the multi-layer body, that is, the multi-layer body can be backlit from behind. In the case of backlighting, the LED light source is located behind the carrier layer such that the translucent carrier layer, the stone layer, and the transparent layer are backlit.

[0027] The fact that the transparent layer a3 can be used as a light conductor for the light emitted by the LED light source does not mean that edge lighting must also be carried out uninterruptedly every day in the operating state. On the contrary, this is a technically predetermined option that can be selected by the user. Edge lighting can of course also be switched off, as is usually the case especially in the case of daylight. It should be understood that the light source can also be controlled accordingly by using sensor technology or time-switching technology. If additional backlighting is provided, it can be selected as an alternative to edge lighting or can be switched on simultaneously therewith. The LED lighting unit can also be used when both the backlighting and the edge lighting are switched off.

[0028] Through light, edge lighting, and backlighting, the structure of the present invention has not only an attractive daytime design but also a high-quality nighttime design, which can be further modified by selecting the color of the LED light.

[0029] The "LED lighting unit" is understood herein not only in the narrow sense as a package of mechanically connected single pieces but also more broadly as a mere combination of single pieces that are (only) functionally connected into a unit. However, it can equally well be a mechanically connected combination. According to the present invention, the "LED lighting unit" is understood to mean various devices or systems having a multilayer body that is functionally connected to an LED light source in the sense of the present invention. This can be an element for forming a floor covering, an element for furniture manufacturing, a wall panel or door panel, a lamp part and lighting element, the housing of a household appliance or electrical device, or a part from the automotive field, especially a part from the field of automotive interior fittings, such as an interior trim part, an instrument panel part, an instrument indicator panel part, a decorative strip, a sill strip, an armrest part, or a center console part.

[0030] The LED lighting unit of the present invention has an attractive daytime / nighttime design. In the case where the LED light source is not switched on, the observer sees an attractive natural stone appearance. When the first LED light source is switched on, a significantly different appearance is produced because the three-dimensional topography of the stone layer is generated by edge lighting through the transparent component, which depends on the type of stone used that additionally has a flash or mirror element. In addition, the edge lighting can also be combined with backlighting to produce a further light effect. Through the translucent dark layer, the LED lighting unit of the present invention obtains a specific design aspect. Not only does this give a particularly solid appearance to the daytime design, but it also enables the material to transmit colored light despite its dark color. Therefore, if colored LEDs are used as the light source, such as red, green, or blue, for example in the form of an RGB-LED where the diodes can be individually controlled, the corresponding colored light can also penetrate the multilayer body. For example, when one or more red LEDs are switched on as red backlighting, the multilayer body in the nighttime design glows in the form of a recognizable pattern through the stone layer.

[0031] The "multilayer body" in the sense of the present invention is various structures formed by a plurality of layers stacked on top of each other, including at least layers a1, a2, and a3. It should be understood that other layers, especially scratch-resistant layers, can be provided, for example, on the outside of the multilayer body, on one or two flat surfaces of the multilayer body. "On the outside of the multilayer body" here refers to the surface of the carrier layer a1 or the transparent layer a3 that is opposite to the surface on which the stone layer a2 is laid.

[0032] The multilayer body has the shape of a plate or a geometric shape different from that of a plate. In the case of wall elements, tile elements, and elements for floor coverings, the plate is a common shape. In contrast, LED lighting elements with a geometric shape different from that of a plate and having a three-dimensionally formed visible surface are preferably used for automotive interior applications, such as in the case of automotive instrument panels. The three-dimensionally formed components can be directly manufactured by injection molding, for example, according to the manufacturing method described in the embodiments, from three-dimensionally processed stone plates, or by thermoforming a plate-shaped multilayer body.

[0033] In the sense of the present invention, "transparent" means a transmittance Ty measured at a thickness of 2 mm according to ISO13468-2:2006 of at least 85%, preferably at least 86%, more preferably at least 88%, and a haze measured at a layer thickness of 2 mm according to ASTM D1003:2013 of preferably less than 2.0%, more preferably less than 1.5%, still more preferably less than 1.0%, and particularly preferably less than 0.8%.

[0034] In the context of the present invention, an "LED light source" is understood to mean a light source that emits light with radiative properties, where more than 70% of the intensity emitted in the range from 200 nm to 3000 nm lies within the spectral visible range. In the context of the present invention, the visible range is defined as the wavelength range from 360 nm to 780 nm. Particularly preferably, less than 5% of the intensity lies within the range < 360 nm. Considering the range from 360 nm to 500 nm, the LED light in the context of the present invention has a peak wavelength in terms of its intensity - i.e., the wavelength of the maximum intensity - of from 360 nm to 460 nm, more preferably from 400 nm to 460 nm, particularly preferably from 430 nm to 460 nm, or particularly preferably from 400 nm to 405 nm. To determine the peak wavelength, the radiation equivalent parameter, such as the radiant flux, is measured in a spectrally resolved manner and plotted in a Cartesian coordinate system. The radiation equivalent parameter is plotted on the y-axis and the wavelength on the x-axis. The absolute maximum of this curve is the "peak wavelength" (defined according to DIN 5031-1 (1982)). The term "from... to..." includes the stated limits here. Here, the "LED light" preferably has a narrow emission width with a full width at half maximum of at most 60 nm, more preferably at most 45 nm, still more preferably at most 30 nm, where monochromatic light is particularly preferred. Here, the full width at half maximum is the full width of the emission peak at half the height of the intensity. According to the present invention, in principle, all of the above-mentioned LEDs / LED technologies can be used individually or together.

[0035] "Serving as a light conductor" means that at least a part of the light emitted by the LED light source is transmitted via total internal reflection through the transparent layer a3. Preferably, at least a part of the light emitted by the LED light source is totally reflected at the interface between the transparent layer a3 and the stone layer a2 and / or at the interface between the transparent layer a3 and the ambient air or any other transparent layer optionally located more externally of this multilayer body. "Interface" here means the surface at which and / or through which or directly adjacent to each other two or more layers of the multilayer body or the ambient air are adjacent to each other. The interface is formed by a material transition.

[0036] Edge lighting, i.e., edge lighting is a relatively energy-efficient possible way to produce an attractive lighting effect because relatively few LEDs are required.

[0037] The carrier layer a1 is a layer made of a translucent black or translucent grey thermoplastic composition. "Made of..." means that the carrier layer consists of this composition.

[0038] In the context of the present invention, "translucent" is understood to mean a molding compound having a transmittance Ty measured at a thickness of 2 mm according to ISO 13468-2:2006 (D65, 10°) of < 40% and at least 2.5%, preferably > 2.5%, more preferably < 25% and > 2.7%, particularly preferably < 20% and > 2.9%, and a haze measured at a layer thickness of 2 mm according to ASTM D1003:2013 of preferably > 95%, more preferably > 99%.

[0039] According to the present invention, a black composition is understood to mean a composition described by CIELab color coordinates L* less than 40, a* less than 15 and greater than -15, preferably less than 10 and greater than -10, and b* less than 15 and greater than -15, preferably less than 10 and greater than -10, which is determined at a thickness of 2 mm according to ISO 13468-2:2006 (D65, 10°). According to the present invention, a grey composition is understood to mean a composition described by CIELab color coordinates L* of at least 40 and less than 65, a* less than 15 and greater than -15, preferably less than 10 and greater than -10, and b* less than 15 and greater than -15, preferably less than 10 and greater than -10, which is determined at a thickness of 2 mm according to ISO 13468-2:2006 (D65, 10°).

[0040] The thermoplastic composition is based on a thermoplastic polymer, which is preferably contained in the thermoplastic composition in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, still more preferably at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 85% by weight, and most preferably at least 90% by weight.

[0041] Suitable thermoplastic polymers are, for example, aromatic polycarbonates (PC), polyester carbonates, polystyrene (PS), styrene copolymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), aromatic polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), PET-cyclohexanedimethanol copolymers (PETG), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polymethyl methacrylate or copolymethyl methacrylate, for example polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimides (e.g. PMMI), polyethersulfones, thermoplastic polyurethanes, cycloolefin polymers or copolymers (COP or COC), or mixtures thereof, preferably aromatic polycarbonates, aromatic polyesters, cycloolefin polymers, including olefin copolymers, or polymethyl methacrylate, or mixtures thereof. If mixtures of different polymers are used, preference is given to mixtures of aromatic polycarbonates with PMMA or polyesters.

[0042] More preferably, the polymer comprised in the thermoplastic composition forming the carrier layer is an aromatic polycarbonate, either alone or in the form of a mixture with another polymer, in particular a polyester.

[0043] More preferably, the thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer contains only an aromatic polycarbonate as the thermoplastic polymer. Aromatic polycarbonates in the sense of the present invention are all known aromatic polycarbonates. This includes homopolycarbonates and copolycarbonates. If only "polycarbonate" is mentioned anywhere in the context of the present invention, it particularly refers to an aromatic polycarbonate. The aromatic polycarbonate in the thermoplastic composition in one of the layers of the multilayer body is a specific aromatic polycarbonate or a mixture of different aromatic polycarbonates, i.e., for example, two different aromatic copolycarbonates, or two different aromatic homopolycarbonates, or an aromatic homopolycarbonate and an aromatic copolycarbonate.

[0044] Up to 80 mol%, preferably 20 mol% to 50 mol% of a part of the carbonate groups in the polycarbonate used according to the present invention can be replaced by aromatic dicarboxylate groups. Such a polycarbonate in which acid groups from both carbonic acid and aromatic dicarboxylic acids are incorporated into the molecular chain is called an aromatic polyester carbonate. In the context of the present invention, they are likewise covered by the general term of thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonates.

[0045] Polycarbonates are prepared in a known manner from dihydroxyaryl compounds, carbonic acid derivatives and optionally chain terminators and branching agents.

[0046] In the last about 40 years, the details of the preparation of polycarbonates have been listed in many patent documents. For example, reference can be made here to Schnell, "Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates", Polymer Reviews, Volume 9, Interscience Publishers, New York, London, Sydney 1964, reference to D. Freitag, U. Grigo, P. R. Müller, H. Nouvertné, BAYER AG, "Polycarbonates", Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 11, Second Edition, 1988, pages 648 - 718 and finally reference to Dres. U. Grigo, K. Kirchner and P. R. Müller "Polycarbonate", Becker / Braun, Kunststoff-Handbuch, Volume 3 / 1, Polycarbonate, Polyacetale, Polyester, Celluloseester, Carl Hanser Verlag München, Wien 1992, pages 117 - 299.

[0047] Dihydroxyaryl compounds suitable for the preparation of polycarbonates are, for example, hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxybiphenyl, bis(hydroxyphenyl)alkanes, bis(hydroxyphenyl)cycloalkanes, bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfides, bis(hydroxyphenyl)ethers, bis(hydroxyphenyl)ketones, bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfones, bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxides, α,α'-bis(hydroxyphenyl)diisopropylbenzene, benzopyrrolidones derived from isatin or phenolphthalein derivatives and their compounds alkylated on the ring, arylated on the ring and halogenated on the ring.

[0048] Preferred dihydroxyaryl compounds are 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl ethane, 1,3-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propyl]benzene (bisphenol M), 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-p-diisopropylbenzene, 2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone, 2,4-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, 1,1-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-p-diisopropylbenzene, 2,2-bis(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 1,3-bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propyl]benzene, and 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (bisphenol TMC) and bisphenols of the following formulas (I) to (III)

[0049]

[0050] wherein each R' represents a C1 to C4 alkyl group, aralkyl group or aryl group, preferably a methyl group or a phenyl group, most preferably a methyl group. Most preferably, it is a homopolycarbonate based on bisphenol A.

[0051] Particularly preferred dihydroxyaryl compounds are 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl ethane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, and 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (bisphenol TMC) and dihydroxyaryl compounds of formula (I), (II) and / or (III).

[0052] These and other suitable dihydroxyaryl compounds are described, for example, in US 2 999 835 A, 3 148 172 A, 2 991 273 A, 3 271 367 A, 4 982 014 A and 2 999 846 A, German Offenlegungsschriften 1 570 703 A, 2 063 050 A, 2 036 052 A, 2 211 956 A and 3 832 396 A, French Patent 1 561 518 A1, the monograph "H. Schnell, Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates, Interscience Publishers, New York 1964, pages 28 et seq.; pages 102 et seq." and "D.G. Legrand, J.T.Bendler, Handbook of Polycarbonate Science and Technology, Marcel Dekker New York 2000, pages 72 et seq.".

[0053] In the case of homopolycarbonates, only one dihydroxyaryl compound is used; in the case of copolycarbonates, a plurality of dihydroxyaryl compounds are used.

[0054] Examples of suitable carbonic acid derivatives are phosgene or diphenyl carbonate.

[0055] Suitable chain terminators for the preparation of polycarbonates are both monophenols and monocarboxylic acids. Suitable monophenols are, for example, phenol itself, alkylphenols such as cresol, p-tert-butylphenol, cumylphenol, p-octylphenol, p-isooctylphenol, p-nonylphenol and p-isononylphenol, halogenated phenols such as p-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, p-bromophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol, 2,4,6-triiodophenol, p-iodophenol and mixtures thereof.

[0056] Preferred chain terminators are phenols which are mono- or polysubstituted by C1 to C 30 alkyl (linear or branched, preferably unsubstituted) or by tert-butyl. Particularly preferred chain terminators are phenol, cumylphenol and / or p-tert-butylphenol.

[0057] In addition, suitable monocarboxylic acids are benzoic acid, alkylbenzoic acids and halogenated benzoic acids.

[0058] Based on the number of moles of the dihydroxyaryl compound used in each case, the amount of chain terminator to be used is preferably 0.1 to 5 mol%. The chain terminator can be added before, during or after the reaction with the carbonic acid derivative.

[0059] Suitable branching agents are trifunctional or more than trifunctional compounds known in polycarbonate chemistry, especially those having three or more phenolic OH groups.

[0060] Suitable branching agents are, for example, phloroglucinol, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)hept-2-ene, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane, 1,3,5-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzene, 1,1,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane, 2,2-bis[4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]propane, 2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)phenol, 2,6-bis(2-hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane, hexakis(4-(4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)phenyl)terephthalate, tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, tetrakis(4-(4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)phenoxy)methane and 1,4-bis((4',4''-dihydroxytriphenyl)methyl)benzene, as well as 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, trimellitic acid, cyanuric chloride and 3,3-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindole.

[0061] The amount of branching agent used optionally is preferably 0.05 mol% to 2.00 mol%, again based on the number of moles of the dihydroxyaryl compound used in each case.

[0062] The branching agent can be pre-loaded together with the dihydroxyaryl compound and the chain terminator in the alkaline aqueous phase, or added in dissolved form in an organic solvent before phosgenation. In the case of the transesterification process, the branching agent is used together with the dihydroxyaryl compound. The aromatic polycarbonate comprised in the compositions of the invention is preferably prepared by the interfacial process.

[0063] Preferably, a linear polycarbonate is used.

[0064] The aromatic polycarbonate of the invention preferably has a weight average molecular weight Mw of 15,000 to 25,000 g / mol, preferably 15,000 to 24,000 g / mol, more preferably 16,000 to 23,500 g / mol, still more and particularly preferably 18,000 to 22,500 g / mol. wThese values apply to measurements by gel permeation chromatography using dichloromethane as the eluent, calibrated with linear polycarbonates of known molar mass distribution (made from bisphenol A and phosgene) from PSS Polymer Standards Service GmbH, Germany, according to method 2301 - 0257502 - 09D (German version 2009) from Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, Leverkusen. The eluent used for calibration is also dichloromethane. Chromatographic column combination of crosslinked styrene - divinylbenzene resin. Analytical column diameter: 7.5 mm; length: 300 mm. Particle size of the column material: 3 µm to 20 µm. Solution concentration: 0.2 wt%. Flow rate: 1.0 ml / min, solution temperature: 30 °C. Detection is carried out using a refractive index (RI) detector.

[0065] The MVR value of the (pure) aromatic polycarbonate measured according to ISO 1133:2012 - 03 at 300 °C and 1.2 kg is preferably 14 to 17 cm 3 / (10 min), more preferably 18 to 65 cm 3 / (10 min).

[0066] The M W and MVR are based on all the aromatic polycarbonates contained in the composition.

[0067] Particularly preferred polycarbonates are homopolycarbonates based on bisphenol A, homopolycarbonates based on 1,3 - bis(4 - hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5 - trimethylcyclohexane, and copolycarbonates based on the two monomers bisphenol A and 1,1 - bis(4 - hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5 - trimethylcyclohexane.

[0068] It should be understood that the translucent thermoplastic composition may contain other components. In principle, these can be various different components as contained in thermoplastic compositions. In principle, various translucent black or translucent gray thermoplastic compositions are contemplated, provided that the viscosity of the molding compound does not increase so severely as to impede the adequate wetting of the stone surface and the adequate penetration of cracks and pores in the stone.

[0069] The translucent thermoplastic composition suitable for the carrier layer contains

[0070] a) at least 90 wt% of aromatic polycarbonate (= component a),

[0071] b) a total of at most 0.1% of a colorant mixture made from colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants,

[0072] c) 0.00001% to 0.05% by weight of carbon black,

[0073] d) 0.00001% to 2% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives,

[0074] e) Optionally, up to 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment,

[0075] f) Optionally one or more other additives.

[0076] According to the invention, "up to" also includes the respective limit values, including the rounded ranges. "Up to 2% by weight" thus includes not only 2% by weight and lower values, but also, for example, 2.2% by weight.

[0077] The data in % by weight are each based on the entire composition.

[0078] The colorants (component b), mentioned as constituents of a suitable translucent composition, are preferably selected from colorants based on anthraquinone, anthrapyridone, perinone, methine or quinoline. In this particular context, "based on" means that the basic structure of the colorants of component b) has the respective mentioned compounds as the basic structure, which basic structure remains visible. These basic structures preferably have substituents.

[0079] Colorants that are in principle suitable are colorants of the following structures (4a) to (24):

[0080]

[0081] where

[0082] - Ra and Rb are each independently a straight-chain or branched alkyl or halogen, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, tert-hexyl or Cl, more preferably methyl, Cl, particularly preferably Cl,

[0083] - n is a natural number from 0 to 3 independent of the respective R, where when n = 0 the group is hydrogen; even more preferably, Ra and / or Rb are Cl and are in the ortho and / or para positions to the carbon atom carrying the amine functional group, such as di-o-chloronaphthyl, di-o-, mono-p-chloronaphthyl and mono-o-naphthyl. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, Ra and Rb are each tert-butyl, which is preferably in the meta position to the carbon atom carrying the nitrogen functional group.

[0084] In a particularly preferred embodiment, n = 0 in all rings, so that all Ra and Rb = H,

[0085]

[0086] wherein

[0087] - Rc and Rd are each independently a straight-chain or branched alkyl or halogen, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, tert-hexyl or Cl, more preferably methyl, Cl, and particularly preferably Cl,

[0088] - n is a natural number from 0 to 3 independent of each R, where the group is hydrogen when n = 0; still more preferably, Rc and / or Rd is Cl and is in the ortho and / or para position to the carbon atom bearing the amine functional group, such as di-o-chloronaphthyl, di-o-, mono-p-chloronaphthyl and mono-o-naphthyl. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, Rc and Rd are each tert-butyl, which is preferably in the meta position to the carbon atom bearing the nitrogen functional group.

[0089] In a particularly preferred embodiment, n = 0 in all rings, so that all Rc and Rd = H.

[0090] Structures (4a) and (4b) or (5a) and (5b) are isomers of each other. The respective isomers can be used alone or in admixture. In a particular embodiment, a 1:1 isomer mixture of (4a) and (4b) or (5a) and (5b) is used (based on the respective amounts in weight % of the isomers in the isomer mixture).

[0091]

[0092] The groups R(5-20) are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, tert-hexyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfone, CN in each case.

[0093] Preferably, R(5-20) is the same in all positions. More preferably, R(5-20) is H in all positions. In an alternative embodiment, R(5-20) is Cl in all positions.

[0094] M is preferably aluminum (where R = H: aluminum phthalocyanine, CAS: 14154-42-8), nickel (where R = H: nickel phthalocyanine, CAS: 14055-02-8), cobalt (where R = H: cobalt phthalocyanine, CAS: 3317-67-7), iron (where R = H: iron phthalocyanine, CAS: 132-16-1), zinc (where R = H: zinc phthalocyanine, CAS: 14320-04-08), copper (where R = H: copper phthalocyanine, CAS: 147-14-8; where R = H and Cl: polychlorinated copper phthalocyanine, CAS: 1328-53-6; where R = Cl: hexadecachlorophthalocyanine, CAS: 28888-81-5; where R = Br: hexadecabromophthalocyanine, CAS: 28746-04-5), manganese (where R = H: manganese phthalocyanine, CAS: 14325-24-7) and / or magnesium.

[0095] Particularly preferably, the combination is M = Cu and R = H for all positions. For example, compounds having the structure (6b) with M = Cu and R(5-20) = H are available from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen as Heliogen® Blue K 6911D or Heliogen® Blue K 7104 KW.

[0096] Compounds of structure (6a) are available from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen as Heliogen® Blue L 7460, for example.

[0097]

[0098] where

[0099] - R1 and R2 are each independently a straight-chain or branched alkyl or halogen, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, tert-hexyl or Cl, more preferably methyl, Cl, particularly preferably Cl,

[0100] - n is a natural number from 0 to 4.

[0101] In a particularly preferred embodiment, n = 0 in all rings, so that all R1 and R2 = H.

[0102] Colorants of this structure (7) are commercially available as the Paliogen Blue series from BASF AG.

[0103] In the case of using the colorant of structure (7), it is particularly preferred that the bulk volume (determined according to DIN ISO 787-11) is 2 l / kg - 10 l / kg, preferably 3 l / kg - 8 l / kg, and the specific surface area (determined according to DIN 66132:1975-07) is 5 m 2 / g - 60 m 2 / g, preferably 10 m 2 / g - 55 m 2 / g and the pH value (determined according to DIN ISO 787-9:1995-04) is 4 - 9 pigment.

[0104]

[0105] Wherein

[0106] R is selected from H and p-toluidine group; preferably R = H.

[0107] For example, such a colorant can be obtained from Lanxess AG under the trade name Macrolex® Violet B.

[0108]

[0109] Wherein R3 is preferably halogen, particularly preferably Cl, and more preferably n = 4. Further preferred is the embodiment where n = 0, so R3 = H.

[0110] Such a colorant can be obtained from Lanxess AG, for example, as Macrolex® Orange 3G or Macrolex® Red EG.

[0111]

[0112] For example, such a colorant can be obtained from Lanxess AG under the trade name Macrolex® Red E2G, CAS No. 89106-94-5.

[0113]

[0114] Such a colorant with Color Index 68210 can be obtained under the name "Macrolex® Red 5B" or "Solvent Red 52".

[0115]

[0116] The colorant of structure (12) is known from Lanxess Deutschland GmbH under the name Macrolex Green 5B, Color Index number 61565, CAS No.: 128-90-3, and is an anthraquinone dye.

[0117]

[0118] This colorant can be obtained as "Keyplast Blue Blue KR" or "Solvent Blue 104", CAS No. 116-75-6, Color Index number: 61568.

[0119]

[0120] This colorant can be obtained under the name of "Macrolex Blue 3R Gran", CAS No. 41611-76-1.

[0121]

[0122] This colorant with Color Index number 615290 can be commercially purchased under the names of "Keyplast Blue E", "Macrolex® Blue RR" or "Solvent Blue 97".

[0123]

[0124] This colorant with CAS No. 81-48-1 can be obtained from Lanxess AG under the names of "Macrolex Violet B" or "Solvent Violet 13", Color Index 60725.

[0125]

[0126] This colorant can be commercially purchased under the names of "Macrolex® Violet 3R" or "Solvent Violet 36".

[0127]

[0128]

[0129]

[0130] This colorant can be obtained from Lanxess AG under the trade name of "Macrolex Green G" for example.

[0131]

[0132] This colorant can be obtained under the name of "Macrolex Red Violet R", CAS No. 6408-72-6.

[0133]

[0134] This colorant can be obtained under the names of "Macrolex Yellow 3G" or "Solvent Yellow 93", Color Index 48160.

[0135]

[0136] This colorant is commercially available as "Macrolex Yellow G" or "Solvent Yellow 114", Color Index 47020.

[0137] In the moulding compound, the total amount of the colorant of component b) is at most 0.1% by weight, preferably at most 0.05% by weight, more preferably 0.0005 to 0.02% by weight.

[0138] The moulding compound preferably contains an anthraquinone-based colorant and other colorants based on anthraquinone or anthrapyridone. More preferably, the moulding compound does not contain other colorants in addition.

[0139] The moulding compound further preferably contains at least one colorant of the following formula (24):

[0140]

[0141] wherein

[0142] R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aniline group, preferably an unsubstituted aniline group,

[0143] R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aniline group, preferably a p-toluidine group or a 2,6-diethyl-4-methylaniline group,

[0144] n is a natural number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, and

[0145] m is a natural number from 0 to 4, preferably 1 or 2.

[0146] If n = 0, there are no substituents replacing H on the respective groups.

[0147] More preferably, it contains at least one colorant of formula (15).

[0148] Most preferably, it contains the colorant of formula (17) as the other colorant.

[0149] Alternatively most preferably, it contains the colorant of formula (11) as the other colorant.

[0150] Most preferably, in addition to the colorants (15) and (17) or (15) and (11) and optionally (13), the moulding compound of the present invention does not contain other colorants.

[0151] Alternatively, a preferred colorant representing one of at least two colorants of component b) is

[0152] - a colorant of structure (23),

[0153] - a colorant of structure (22),

[0154] - A colorant of formula (9), which can be commercially obtained, in particular, under the name "Macrolex Red EG" or "Solvent Red 135", and has a color index of 564120;

[0155] - A colorant of structure (16),

[0156] - A colorant of structure (12).

[0157] The colorant according to component b does not contain the colorants of components c and e in each case.

[0158] The composition suitable for the translucent carrier layer preferably contains 0.00001 to 0.05% by weight, more preferably 0.0003 to 0.020% by weight, still more preferably 0.0004 to 0.015% by weight, and most preferably 0.00045 to 0.014% by weight of carbon black (component c).

[0159] The carbon black is preferably finely dispersed in the organic polymer matrix and further preferably in the form of nanoscale, especially nanoscale colored carbon black. Suitable carbon black has an average particle size preferably less than 100 nm, more preferably less than 75 mm, even more preferably less than 50 nm, and most preferably less than 40 nm as determined by scanning electron microscopy, where the average particle size is preferably greater than 0.5 nm, further preferably greater than 1 nm, more preferably greater than 5 nm, most preferably 10 to 30 nm, and very preferably 10 to 20 nm.

[0160] Commercially available carbon black suitable for the context of the present invention can be obtained under various trade names and forms, such as pellets or powders. For example, suitable carbon black can be obtained under the trade name BLACK PEARLS® as wet-processed pellets under the names ELFTEX®, REGAL®, and CSX®, and in the form of flaky appearance under the names MONARCH®, ELFTEX®, REGAL®, and MOGUL®, all from Cabot Corporation. Particularly preferred is the carbon black traded under the trade name BLACK PEARLS® (CAS No. 1333-86-4).

[0161] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carbon black type has a particle size of 10 nm to 30 nm, especially 10 to 20 mm, and has a preferably 35 m 2 to 138 m 2 / g (m 2The specific surface area of the carbon black (component (g)) is determined in accordance with ISO 9277:2014-01 (BET method). The carbon black can be treated or untreated. For example, the carbon black can be treated with a specific gas, with silica or with an organic substance such as butyllithium. By means of such treatment, surface modification or functionalization can be achieved. This can promote compatibility with the matrix used accordingly. Particular preference is given to carbon black traded under the trade name BLACK PEARLS® (CAS No. 1333-86-4).

[0162] The composition of the translucent material for the carrier layer preferably contains a scattering additive (component (d)), more precisely in an amount of from 0.00001% by weight to 2% by weight, preferably from 0.01% by weight to 1.0% by weight, further preferably from 0.05% by weight to 0.50% by weight. The scattering additive can here be a single scattering additive or a mixture of a plurality of scattering additives. The scattering additive is selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives. It can be one scattering additive selected from this group, but can also be a mixture. More preferably, the composition contains an acrylate-based scattering additive as the scattering agent. Furthermore, most preferably, it does not contain a silicone-based scattering agent.

[0163] Accordingly, the scattering additive in the context of the present invention is not any white pigment mentioned as a separate component (component (e)).

[0164] The scattering additive preferably has a high thermal stability of up to 300 °C so as not to be decomposed at the processing temperature of the polycarbonate. Furthermore, the scattering additive should not have a functionality that causes significant degradation of the polymer chains. Preferably, the scattering additive should not cause degradation of the polymer chains of the polycarbonate at all.

[0165] Preferred acrylate-based scattering agents are polyacrylic acid alkyl esters preferably having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, which further preferably have an average particle size (number average) of from 0.5 µm to 80 µm, preferably from 2 µm to 40 µm, in particular from 3 µm to 15 µm, especially from 3 µm to 9 µm. Mixtures (homopolymers or copolymers) of acrylic acid alkyl esters can likewise be used. Preferably, the acrylate-based scattering agent is crosslinked. Suitable crosslinking agents are crosslinking agents known for acrylates. Preferred crosslinking agents are diol-based crosslinking agents, such as in particular ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

[0166] Particularly preferred acrylate-based scattering additives are scattering agents containing polymethyl methacrylate, such as polymer particles of polymethyl methacrylate and polybutyl acrylate having a core-shell morphology, which can be obtained, for example, from Rohm & Haas as Paraloid® EXL 5136 or Paraloid® EXL 5137, or partially or fully crosslinked spherical or non-spherical acrylate particles, such as those of the Techpolymer® MBX series of Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., Techpolymer® MBX-S or MBX-8. Scattering additives having a core-shell morphology are described, for example, as "polymer particles (b)" in EP 0 634 445 B1.

[0167] The silicone-based scattering additives preferably have an average particle size (number average) of 0.5 μm to 100 μm, preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, especially 1 μm to 6 μm, which is determined by laser scattering according to ISO 13320:2009.

[0168] Suitable silicone-based scattering agents are sesquisiloxanes, silicone compounds. The sesquisiloxanes preferably used have the general formula [RSiO3 / 2]n, where R = H, alkyl, aryl or alkoxy. Particularly preferred is polymethyl sesquisiloxane. Commercially available suitable sesquisiloxanes are, for example, products of the Tospearl® product category from Momentive Inc., USA, Tospearl® TSR9000 or 120S, or Ganzpearl Si-020 from Ganz Chemical Co., Ltd.

[0169] If the material selected for the carrier layer is not translucent black but translucent grey, the respective composition contains at most 1.0 wt% of a white pigment. The white pigment included is preferably zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, barium sulfate and / or titanium dioxide, more preferably titanium dioxide and / or barium sulfate; particularly preferably titanium dioxide is included as the white pigment. The white pigment can consist only of one of these components, or contain one or more other white pigments from this list or selected from the group of said white pigments.

[0170] If barium sulfate is included, the proportion in the entire composition is generally 0.1 to 1.0 wt% of barium sulfate.

[0171] If the white pigment contains titanium dioxide, the amount of the white pigment is preferably 0.03 to 1.0 wt%, more preferably 0.03 to 0.5 wt%, more preferably 0.1 wt%. Most preferably, 95 wt% of the white pigment is titanium dioxide, based on the total amount of the white pigment. Most preferably, titanium dioxide is the only white pigment here.

[0172] The composition of the carrier layer may optionally contain one or more other additives (component f) different from components b) to e), provided that they do not cause a loss of translucency. Usually, 0 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.05% to 3% by weight, and more preferably 0.1% to 1% by weight of other additives are included. Here, as elsewhere, unless otherwise stated, the % by weight is based on the respective entire composition.

[0173] Conventional polymer additives that can be included as component f are described, for example, in EP-A 0 839 623, WO-A 96 / 15102, EP-A 0 500 496 or “Plastics Additives Handbook”, Hans Zweifel, 5th edition 2000, Hanser Verlag, München. Such other additives are, for example, release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, optical brighteners, flow improvers, light scatterers different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers and / or IR absorbers.

[0174] Preferably, only one or more release agents, UV absorbers, colorants, scattering particles and / or one or more heat stabilizers are included as other additives in the carrier layer composition.

[0175] Suitable heat stabilizers are selected from phosphates, phosphites, phosphonites and phosphines. Examples are triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphite, phenyl dialkyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, tris(octadecyl) phosphite, pentaerythritol distearyl diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos® 168), pentaerythritol diisodecyl diphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) diphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl) diphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,4-dicumylphenyl) diphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl) diphosphite, pentaerythritol diisodecoxydiphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) diphosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) diphosphite, sorbitol tris(stearyl) triphosphite, 4,4'-biphenyldiphosphonic acid tetra(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) ester, 6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12H-dibenzo[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocine, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl-dibenzo[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocine, 2,2',2''-nitrilo[tris(3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl) triethyl phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl (3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl) phosphite, pentaerythritol bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl) diphosphite (PEP-36), 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane, triphenylphosphine (TPP), trialkylphenylphosphine, bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane or trinaphthylphosphine. Triphenylphosphine (TPP), Irgafos® 168 (tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite), PEP-36 (pentaerythritol bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl) diphosphite) and tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite or mixtures thereof are particularly preferably used.

[0176] Phosphate stabilizers are, for example, phosphates of the formula (IV) or mixtures of these phosphates

[0177]

[0178] wherein R1 independently of one another represent branched alkyl and / or optionally substituted alkyl, where the alkyl is preferably C1- to C 18-alkyl, more preferably C1- to C8-alkyl. If a phosphate stabilizer is included, it is more preferably tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (triisooctyl phosphate).

[0179] The aryl group is preferably substituted by C1- to C8-alkyl, branched C1- to C8-alkyl or cumyl, where the substituents may be the same or different, but are preferably the same substituents. Preferably, the aryl group is substituted at the 2- and 4-positions or the 2-, 4- and 6-positions. Very particularly preferably, tert-butyl substituents are present at these positions.

[0180] More preferably, all R1 are the same.

[0181] In addition, phenolic antioxidants can be used, such as alkylated monophenols, alkylated thioalkylphenols, hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones. Preferably, Irganox® 1010 (pentaerythritol 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)propionate; CAS: 6683-19-8) and / or Irganox 1076® (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(octadecyloxycarbonylethyl)phenol) are used. Particularly preferably, Irganox 1076® (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(octadecyloxycarbonylethyl)phenol) is used.

[0182] In a particular embodiment, the phosphine compound of the invention is used together with a phosphite or a phenolic antioxidant or a mixture of the two compounds mentioned later.

[0183] In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer system consists of triphenylphosphine, a mixture of triphenylphosphine and a phenolic antioxidant such as Irganox® 1076 or Irganox® 1010 and / or a combination of a phenolic antioxidant and a phosphite, preferably consisting of a mixture of Irganox® 1076 or Irganox® 1010 and Irgafos® 168 or PEP-36.

[0184] In another preferred embodiment, the stabilizer system consists of a phosphine, a phosphite and a phenolic antioxidant, such as triphenylphosphine, Irganox® 1076 and Irgafos® 168.

[0185] Suitable release agents are, for example, esters or partial esters of mono- to hexavalent alcohols, especially esters or partial esters of glycerol, pentaerythritol or Guerbet alcohols. Monoalcohols are, for example, stearyl alcohol, palmityl alcohol and Guerbet alcohols. Diols are, for example, ethylene glycol; triols are, for example, glycerol; tetrols are, for example, pentaerythritol and erythritol; pentols are, for example, arabitol, ribitol and xylitol; hexols are, for example, mannitol, glucitol (sorbitol) and hexahydroxyhexane.

[0186] The esters are preferably from saturated, aliphatic C10 - to C 36 - monocarboxylic acids and optionally hydroxy monocarboxylic acids, preferably comprising saturated, aliphatic C 14 - to C 32 - mono-esters, di-esters, tri-esters, tetra-esters, penta-esters and hexa-esters of monocarboxylic acids and optionally hydroxy monocarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof, in particular statistical mixtures.

[0187] Commercially available fatty acid esters, in particular fatty acid esters of pentaerythritol and glycerol, may contain < 60% of different partial esters due to their preparation.

[0188] Saturated, aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 10 to 36 carbon atoms are, for example, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, hydroxystearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid and montanic acid. Particularly suitable release agents as component f) of the compositions according to the invention are, for example, pentaerythritol tetrastearate (PETS) or glycerol monostearate (GMS). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire composition comprises from 0 ppm to 3000 ppm, preferably from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm, more preferably from 150 ppm to 500 ppm of release agent, based on the mass of the entire composition.

[0189] Preferred UV absorbers are compounds having as low a transmittance as possible below 400 nm and as high a transmittance as possible above 400 nm. Such compounds and their preparation are known from the literature and are described, for example, in EP-A 0 839623, WO-A 96 / 15102 and EP-A 0 500 496. Particularly suitable UV absorbers for use in the compositions according to the invention are benzotriazoles, triazines, benzophenones and / or arylated cyanoacrylates.

[0190] Very particularly suitable UV absorbers are hydroxybenzotriazoles, such as 2-(3',5'-bis(1,1-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole (Tinuvin ® 234, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel), 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-(tert-octyl)phenyl)benzotriazole (Tinuvin ® 329, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel), 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-(2-butyl)-5'-(tert-butyl)phenyl)benzotriazole (Tinuvin ® 350, CibaSpezialitätenchemie, Basel), bis(3-(2H-benzotriazolyl)-2-hydroxy-5-tert-octyl)methane (Tinuvin ®360, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel), (2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-(hexyloxy)phenol (Tinuvin ® 1577, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel) and benzophenone 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (Chimasorb ® 22, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel) and 2-hydroxy-4-(octyloxy)benzophenone (Chimassorb ® 81, Ciba, Basel), 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-2-acrylate 2-ethylhexyl ester, 2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-1-oxo-3,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl)oxy]methyl]-1,3-propanediyl ester (9CI) (Uvinul ® 3030, BASF AG Ludwigshafen), 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]phenyl-4,6-bis(4-phenyl)phenyl-1,3,5-triazine (CGX UVA 006, Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Basel) or 2,2'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)bis(tetraethyl malonate) (Hostavin ® B-Cap, Clariant AG).

[0191] Highly preferred UV absorbers are, for example, Tinuvin ® 360, Tinuvin ® 350, Tinuvin ® 329, Hostavin ® B-CAP, more preferably TIN 329 and Hostavin ® B-Cap.

[0192] Mixtures of these UV absorbers can also be used.

[0193] There is no particular limitation on the amount of the UV absorber contained in the composition. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the amount of the UV absorber contained in the composition is 0 ppm to 6000 ppm, preferably 500 ppm to 5000 ppm, more preferably 1000 ppm to 2000 ppm, based on the entire composition.

[0194] The anti-dripping agent is preferably a fluorine-containing anti-dripping agent, especially polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0195] The thickness of the carrier layer can be freely selected according to the respective desired application. Generally, the thickness of the carrier layer is selected such that the carrier layer imparts sufficient stability to the multi-layer body, but without using more material than necessary, because this not only results in unnecessary costs, but also unnecessarily increases the weight of the component. Especially in the case of automotive interior components, it is important to achieve the smallest possible weight for functional components. Therefore, preferably, the thickness is 0.5 to 6 mm, more preferably 1.0 to 5 mm, and even more preferably 1.5 to 4 mm. This thickness is averaged over the entire surface of the carrier layer made of a thermoplastic material. The deviation of the thickness at each individual point in the layer from the thickness averaged over the entire surface is preferably at most ±10%, more preferably at most ±5%. Since the stone layer usually has a slightly irregular surface and the material enters the gaps here, there are insignificant slight deviations compared to the average value at many points.

[0196] The carrier layer preferably covers the entire surface of the stone layer or projects beyond the stone layer at at least one side edge.

[0197] The stone layer a2 is a layer made of a metamorphic rock layer or a sedimentary rock. There are a plurality of relatively discrete layers here, which can be peeled off from natural stone as thin layers. Suitable stones are, for example, claystone or schist clay with a schistose structure, limestone, sandstone, mudstone, clay schist, quartzite, phyllite, mica schist, chlorite schist, gneiss, talc schist, blue or glaucophane schist, colored schist, chlorite-epidote schist, epidote-hornblende rock, hornblende rock, residual migmatite, breccia migmatite, calcareous schist, mylonite, pelitic rock, migmatite, marble, serpentine, eclogite, schist, contact metamorphic rock (Fruchtschiefer) or granulite. The stone layer preferably contains colored schist, mica schist, limestone, sandstone or marble; it is further preferably composed of one of these rocks. In principle, the stone layer can be composed of different stone elements and is, for example, a mosaic of one or more stone types. However, the stone layer is preferably composed of one stone type and is processed in one piece.

[0198] The thickness of the stone layer is ≤ 2 mm, preferably ≤ 1 mm, further preferably ≤ 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably ≤ 0.3 mm, where this is the thickness averaged over the entire flat surface of the stone layer. The "flat surface" is the side of the stone layer facing the visible surface in the multi-layer body, that is, the side that is specified to present the visual appearance of the multi-layer body, and the side opposite to this side. In each case, the stoneware is selected to be thin so that it is still translucent to the required extent. The stone layer preferably has a coherent grain microstructure.

[0199] Further preferably, the stone layer has a topography with a maximum roughness Rz of preferably at least 0.1 μm, more preferably at least 0.5 μm, further preferably 0.5 to 10,000 μm, and even more preferably 1.0 to 5,000 μm, at least on the flat surface facing the transparent layer. The maximum roughness Rz is defined here by the absolute vertical distance between the maximum profile peak height and the maximum profile valley depth. Here, the measuring distance is preferably at least 2 cm. These values of the maximum roughness Rz are thus advantageous because, in the case of incidence from the side through one or more side edges, the topography is optically highlighted visually by projection shadows, light refraction, etc. on the rough stone surface, and the three-dimensional impression perceived by the eye is enhanced.

[0200] The transparent layer a3 is likewise a layer made of a thermoplastic composition. The statements already made regarding the carrier layer apply here in principle, with the limitation that the components of the thermoplastic composition should be selected such that a composition that is transparent in the sense of the present invention is obtained. Preferably, only one or more release agents, UV absorbers, and / or one or more heat stabilizers are included as other additives in the composition of the transparent layer.

[0201] The transparent layer must have a sufficient but not too thick thickness so that the multilayer body can be edge-illuminated through this layer. At the same time, it is interesting to keep the thickness of the transparent layer a3 as small as possible so as not to unnecessarily increase the weight of the LED lighting unit. Therefore, the thickness is 1 to 6 mm, more preferably 2 to 5 mm, and even more preferably 2.5 to 4 mm, where the thickness is averaged over the entire surface of the transparent layer. The deviation of the thickness at each individual point of the transparent layer from the thickness averaged over the entire surface is preferably at most ±10%.

[0202] To ensure sufficient fluidity of the thermoplastic composition and thus sufficiently good processability, the MVR value (measured according to ISO 1133:2012-03 at 300 °C and 1.2 kg) of the composition should preferably be 14 cm 3 / (10 min) to 80 cm 3 / (10 min), further preferably 20 cm 3 / (10 min) to 80 cm 3 / (10 min), even further preferably 30 cm 3 / (10 min) to 80 cm 3 / (10 min), particularly preferably 32 cm 3 / (10 min) to 75 cm 3 / (10 min).

[0203] For good mechanical stability, the notched impact toughness of the thermoplastic composition (measured on specimens with a thickness of 3 mm at room temperature according to ISO 179 / 1eA:2010) is preferably at least 40 kJ / m 2 , more preferably 50 kJ / m 2 to 130 kJ / m 2 , even more preferably 55 kJ / m 2 to 120 kJ / m 2 , particularly preferably 55 kJ / m 2 to 80 kJ / m 2 .

[0204] The total thickness of the layers of the multilayer body of the lighting unit of the present invention, namely the carrier layer a1, the stone layer a2, and the transparent layer a3, is preferably 1.5 to 12 mm, more preferably 3 to 10 mm, still more preferably 4 to 8 mm.

[0205] Preferably, the transparent layer covers substantially the entire surface of the stone layer, particularly at least 90%.

[0206] The preferred LED lighting unit according to the present invention comprises

[0207] a) a multilayer body and

[0208] b) a first LED light source,

[0209] wherein the multilayer body sequentially comprises the following layers:

[0210] a1) a carrier layer made of a translucent black or translucent gray thermoplastic composition, wherein the thermoplastic composition is based on an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0211] a2) a stone layer with an average thickness of ≤ 2 mm on the entire surface of the stone layer,

[0212] a3) a transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition based on an aromatic polycarbonate with an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm on the entire surface, which is located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multilayer body in the LED lighting unit,

[0213] and

[0214] wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 so that the transparent layer a3 can be used for the light emitted by the LED light source, and wherein

[0215] the composition of the carrier layer contains

[0216] a) at least 90% by weight, most preferably 95% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0217] b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from components c and e, which contains at least two colorants. The colorants are preferably selected from colorants based on anthraquinone, anthrapyridone, perinone, methine or quinoline. Among them, further preferably, one colorant is an anthraquinone-based colorant and the other colorant is also an anthraquinone-based colorant or an anthrapyridone-based colorant, especially a mixture of colorants of structures (15) and (11) or (15) and (17).

[0218] The total amount of the colorants in component b) is at most 0.1% by weight.

[0219] c) 0.0003 to 0.020% by weight, especially 0.0004 to 0.015% by weight of carbon black, especially nano-sized carbon black, more preferably as the only carbon black.

[0220] d) 0.05 to 1.0% by weight, especially up to 0.50% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives. Among them, it is preferably to contain silsesquioxane as the scattering additive, and it is most preferably the only scattering agent in component d).

[0221] e) Optionally at most 1.0% by weight, preferably 0.03% to 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment. The white pigment preferably contains a white pigment selected from titanium dioxide and / or barium sulfate, especially 0.04% to 0.08% of titanium dioxide, and it is extremely preferably the only white pigment.

[0222] f) Optionally one or more other additives, which are preferably selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, UV absorbers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d), antistatic agents and / or IR absorbers.

[0223] A further preferably LED lighting unit according to the present invention comprises

[0224] a) A multilayer body and

[0225] b) A first LED light source,

[0226] c) Preferably a second LED light source,

[0227] wherein the multilayer body sequentially comprises the following layers:

[0228] a1) A carrier layer made of a translucent black or translucent gray thermoplastic composition, and its average thickness on the entire surface of the carrier layer is 0.5 to 6 mm.

[0229] a2) A light-transmitting stone layer, which is preferably selected from colored schist, mica schist, limestone, sandstone and / or marble, and has a thickness of ≤ 2 mm, preferably ≤ 1 mm,

[0230] a3) A transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition, wherein the thermoplastic composition contains at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, and even more preferably at least 90% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate, and has an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm over the entire surface, and is located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multi-layer body in the LED lighting unit,

[0231] and

[0232] wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 so that the transparent layer a3 can be used for the light emitted by the LED light source, and

[0233] the optionally present second LED light source is arranged so that it backlights the multi-layer body (backlighting), and wherein

[0234] the composition of the carrier layer contains

[0235] a) at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, and most preferably up to 99.95% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0236] b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, wherein one colorant is an anthraquinone-based colorant and the other colorant is an anthrapyridone-based colorant,

[0237] wherein the total amount of the colorants of component b) is at most 0.1% by weight,

[0238] c) 0.002 to 0.020% by weight of carbon black, wherein especially nano-sized carbon black is included as the carbon black, most preferably nano-sized colored carbon black, and extremely preferably as the only carbon black,

[0239] d) 0.05 to 1.0% by weight, especially up to 0.5% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives,

[0240] f) Optionally one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, UV absorbers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents and / or IR absorbers,

[0241] and more preferably does not contain white pigments.

[0242] Even further preferably, the LED lighting unit according to the present invention includes

[0243] a) Multilayer body and

[0244] b) First LED light source,

[0245] c) Optionally, a second LED light source,

[0246] wherein the multilayer body sequentially comprises the following layers:

[0247] a1) A carrier layer made of a translucent black thermoplastic composition, having an average thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm over the entire surface of the carrier layer,

[0248] a2) A stone layer, preferably selected from colored schist, mica schist, limestone, sandstone and / or marble, having an average thickness of ≤ 2 mm, preferably ≤ 1 mm, over the entire surface of the stone layer,

[0249] a3) A transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition, wherein the thermoplastic composition contains at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, even more preferably at least 90% by weight of aromatic polycarbonate, having an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm over the entire surface, located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multilayer body in the LED lighting unit,

[0250] and

[0251] wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 so that the transparent layer a3 can be used for the light emitted by the LED light source, and

[0252] the optionally present second LED light source is arranged so that it backlights the multilayer body, and wherein

[0253] the composition of the carrier layer contains

[0254] a) At least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, most preferably up to 99.95% by weight of aromatic polycarbonate,

[0255] b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, wherein one colorant is an anthraquinone-based colorant and the other colorant is an anthrapyridone-based colorant,

[0256] wherein the total amount of the colorants in component b) is at most 0.1% by weight,

[0257] c) 0.002 to 0.02% by weight of carbon black, especially containing nanoscale carbon black as the carbon black, extremely most preferably nanoscale colored carbon black, extremely preferably as the only carbon black,

[0258] d) from 0.05 to 1.0% by weight, in particular up to 0.5% by weight, of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives, wherein preferably a silsesquioxane is included as the scattering additive, which is most preferably the sole scattering agent of component d),

[0259] f) optionally one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, UV absorbers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d), antistatic agents and / or IR absorbers,

[0260] and more preferably does not contain white pigments.

[0261] More preferably, the translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer does not contain other components, wherein the group f of the other additives consists of the group of release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, UV absorbers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d), antistatic agents, IR absorbers, anti-dripping agents, optical brighteners and / or heat stabilizers.

[0262] Most preferably, the multilayer body does not contain other layers except for layers a1 to a3 and an optionally present protective layer, in particular a transparent scratch-resistant layer.

[0263] The preparation of the molding compound for the layer and the layer of the multi-layer body ultimately made of the thermoplastic composition starting from the components is carried out by combining, mixing and homogenizing using conventional incorporation methods, wherein in particular the homogenization preferably takes place in the melt by the action of shear forces. For this purpose, the aromatic polycarbonate and the optional other components of the polycarbonate molding compound are mixed, extruded and granulated in a conventional melt mixing device, for example in a single-screw or multi-screw extruder or in a kneader, in the melt under conventional conditions. The additives can be metered into the solid conveying zone of the extruder or into the polymer melt at a suitable location either individually as granules or pellets via a dosing balance or a side-feed device or as a melt at an elevated temperature by means of a metering pump. The masterbatch in the form of granules or pellets can also be combined with other granular compounds to produce a premix, which is then fed together via a metering hopper or a side-feed device into the solid conveying zone of the extruder or into the polymer melt in the extruder. The compounding device is, for example, a twin-screw extruder, more preferably a twin-screw extruder with co-rotating screws, wherein the screw length / diameter ratio of the twin-screw extruder is preferably from 20 to 44, more preferably from 28 to 40. Such a twin-screw extruder comprises a melting zone and a mixing zone or a combined melting and mixing zone and an optional degassing zone, wherein the absolute pressure p is set to preferably at most 800 mbar, more preferably at most 500 mbar, more preferably at most 200 mbar. The average residence time of the mixture composition in the extruder is preferably limited to at most 120 seconds, more preferably at most 80 seconds, more preferably at most 60 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, the melt temperature of the polymer or polymer alloy at the extruder outlet is from 200 °C to 400 °C.

[0264] After the preparation of the molding compound, they can be converted into the corresponding molded parts by extrusion, hot pressing, injection compression molding or injection molding. For the preparation of the molded parts according to the invention, injection molding or injection compression molding is preferably used here, in particular injection molding. Here, in a first step, the stone plate is inserted into the injection molding mold and overmolded with the molding compound. After the demolding and further cooling time, the molding compound solidified into a thermoplastic molded part is peeled off from the stone plate, wherein a thin stone layer remains on the molded part. In a second step, this molded part with the thin stone layer is reinserted into the injection molding mold and the face with the stone layer is overmolded with another molding compound. After the cooling time has elapsed, the finished multi-layer body is demolded.

[0265] The injection molding method is known to those skilled in the art and is described, for example, in "Handbuch Spritzgießen", Friedrich Johannnaber / Walter Michaeli, München: Wien: Hanser, 2001, ISBN 3-446-15632-1 or "Anleitung zum Bau von Spritzgießwerkzeugen", Menges / Michaeli / Mohren, München: Wien: Hanser, 1999, ISBN 3-446-21258-2.

[0266] Herein, injection molding includes all injection molding methods, including multi-component injection molding and injection compression molding.

[0267] The injection compression molding method differs from the conventional injection molding method in that the injection and / or solidification process is carried out with the movement of the platen. In known injection compression molding, the platen is slightly opened before the injection process to compensate for the shrinkage occurring during subsequent solidification and to reduce the required injection pressure. Thus, a pre-expanded cavity already exists at the beginning of the injection process. The flash edges (Tauchkanten) of the mold ensure that the pre-expanded cavity remains sufficiently sealed even with the platen slightly opened. The plastic material is injected into this pre-expanded cavity and is pressed in the closing direction during or with the operation of the mold. In particular, when manufacturing large-area and thin-walled molded parts through long flow paths, more complex injection compression molding techniques are preferred or optionally mandatory. Only in this way can the injection pressure required for large molded parts be reduced. In addition, stress or warping in the injection molded parts due to high injection pressure can be avoided through injection compression molding.

[0268] The multilayer body can be formed as a plate or can have a three-dimensional molding surface, i.e., a shape different from that of a plate, where a plate is understood to mean an object in which, for the three pairs of opposite surfaces of layers a1, a2, and a3 - relative to each other and all together - they are parallel or at least almost parallel to each other in a plane.

[0269] As described above, the multilayer body can have an anti-scratch paint on one or both of its outer flat surfaces as part of or as a protective layer. This is preferably a polysiloxane paint produced by the sol-gel method. This protective layer particularly preferably also contains at least one UV absorber. This protective layer has high abrasion resistance and scratch resistance, thus particularly realizing the function of a scratch-resistant coating.

[0270] For example, commercially available systems are AS4000, SHC5020, and AS4700 from Momentive Performance Materials. Such systems are described, for example, in US 5,041,313 A, DE 3,1213,85 A1, US 5,391,795 A, and WO 2008 / 109072A1. These materials are typically synthesized by the condensation of alkoxysilanes and / or alkylalkoxysilanes under acid catalysis or base catalysis. Nanoparticles can be optionally incorporated. Preferred solvents are alcohols, such as butanol, isopropanol, methanol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof.

[0271] Various methods are known for applying scratch-resistant coatings to plastic articles. The scratch-resistant coating can be applied, for example, by dip coating, spin coating, spray coating, or flow coating, preferably by dip coating or flow coating. Curing can be carried out thermally or by UV radiation. The scratch-resistant coating can be applied, for example, directly or after preparing the substrate surface with a primer. A scratch-resistant coating can also be applied by a plasma-assisted polymerization method, such as by SiO2 plasma. An anti-fog or anti-reflection coating can also be prepared by the plasma method. A specific injection molding method can also be used, such as overmolding of a surface-treated film, to apply a scratch-resistant coating on the resulting molded body. Various additives can be present in the scratch-resistant layer, such as UV absorbers, which are derived, for example, from triazoles or triazines.

[0272] The protective layer can be a single-layer or multi-layer system and can thus also be a combination of two or more layers. In particular, the protective layer can consist of a layer, namely a topcoat layer a' and a primer layer a'', where the primer layer is arranged between the topcoat layer and the layer to be protected.

[0273] The polysiloxane-based scratch-resistant coating is preferably applied by dip coating or flow coating. Curing is carried out at a temperature of 50°C - 140°C.

[0274] Preferably, a primer containing a UV absorber is used to improve the adhesion of the scratch-resistant paint to the layer to be coated. The primer can contain other stabilizers, such as HALS systems (hindered amine-based stabilizers), adhesion promoters, and / or flow aids. The respective resins of the substrate forming the primer layer can be selected from a variety of materials and are described, for example, in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th Edition, Volume A18, pages 368 - 426, VCH, Weinheim 1991. Polyacrylates, polyurethanes, phenol-based systems, melamine-based systems, epoxy systems, and alkyd systems or mixtures of these systems can be used. The resin is usually dissolved in a suitable solvent - usually in an alcohol. Depending on the resin selected, curing can be carried out at room temperature or at an elevated temperature. A temperature of 50 °C to 140 °C is preferably used - usually after most of the solvent has been removed in a short time at room temperature. Commercially available primer systems are, for example, SHP470, SHP470 - FT2050, and SHP401 from Momentive Performance Materials. Such coatings are described, for example, in US 6,350,512 B1, US 5,869,185 A, EP 1308084 A1, and WO 2006 / 108520 A1.

[0275] In a preferred embodiment for achieving particularly good weathering stability, the protective layer contains

[0276] a polysiloxane-based scratch-resistant coating, which contains

[0277] i. at least one UV absorber selected from benzophenone, resorcinol, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine, 2-cyanoacrylate, oxanilide

[0278] and / or a UV inhibitor selected from hindered amines (HALS), in particular based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine or its derivatives;

[0279] ii. at least one combination of an organically modified silane and silica sol. The organically modified silane is, for example, methyltrialkoxysilane or dimethyldialkoxysilane;

[0280] And optionally, in another preferred embodiment, an additional primer layer (layer a''), which is arranged on the layer to be coated, serves as an adhesion promoter between the polysiloxane-based scratch-resistant coating and the layer to be coated, and contains at least one UV absorber selected from benzophenone, resorcinol, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine, 2-cyanoacrylate, oxanilide and / or sterically hindered amines (HALS), which are especially based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine and its derivatives, wherein the thickness of the primer layer is from 0.3 μm to 8 μm, preferably from 1.1 μm to 4.0 μm.

[0281] Most preferably, the protective layer does not contain other layers.

[0282] According to the present invention, "derivative" is understood to mean those compounds whose molecular structure has another atom or another atomic group at the position of an H atom or a functional group or in which one or more atoms / atomic groups have been removed. Thus, the parent compound can still be recognized.

[0283] The polysiloxane layer preferably contains organosilicon compounds of the formula R n SiX 4-n and / or their partial condensates, where the R groups are the same or different and are straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or poly-unsaturated or aromatic hydrocarbon groups, the X groups are the same or different and are hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, preferably halogens, especially chlorine or bromine, alkoxy groups, alkylcarbonyl groups or acyloxy groups, and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2, most preferably 1. R preferably represents saturated, branched or unbranched alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and / or mono- or poly-unsaturated branched or unbranched alkenyl groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms or aromatic groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. The alkyl or alkenyl groups further preferably have at most 12, even more preferably at most 8 carbon atoms. More preferably, all groups are methyl and / or phenyl. More preferably, X is an alkoxy group, most preferably a C1- to C4-alkoxy group, such as a methoxy or ethoxy group.

[0284] The silicon compound R n SiX 4-n is hydrolyzable and condensable via the X groups. Through these hydrolyzable and condensable groups, an inorganic network containing Si-O-Si units is formed. Compared with the X groups, the R groups are stable to hydrolysis under conventional condensation conditions.

[0285] When using the above-mentioned siloxane system, a dry layer thickness of 3 μm - 20 μm is preferred, further preferably 5 μm - 15 μm, particularly preferably 6 μm - 12 μm. "Dry layer thickness" herein means the layer thickness of the paint after application and subsequent evaporation of the solvent and subsequent curing by heat or UV.

[0286] Instead of the primer / scratch-resistant coating combination, a one-component hybrid system (which is cured thermally or by UV) can also be used for the multi-layer body of the present invention.

[0287] They are described, for example, in EP 0570165 A2 or WO 2008 / 071363 A2 or DE 2804283 A. Commercially available hybrid systems are available, for example, from Momentive Performance Materials under the names PHC 587, PHC 587C as thermosetting paints or UVHC 3000 and UVHC 5000 as UV-curing paints. Other commercially available UV-curing paint systems suitable according to the present invention are UVT 610 and UVT 820 from Redspot.

[0288] In a particularly preferred method for manufacturing the molded parts of the present invention, the protective layer is applied by the flow coating method because this produces a coated part with high optical quality.

[0289] The flow coating method can be carried out manually through a hose or a suitable coating head, or automatically in a continuous process through a flow coating robot and an optional slot nozzle.

[0290] Other possible application methods are dip coating, knife coating, roll coating, spraying or spin coating. Here, the parts can be coated either in a suspended manner or in a manner of being mounted in a corresponding bracket.

[0291] For larger and / or 3D parts - that is, parts with a three-dimensional surface having a geometry different from that of a plate - the parts to be coated are suspended or placed in a suitable bracket.

[0292] In the case of small parts, coating can also be carried out manually. Here, the liquid primer solution or paint solution for forming the protective layer to be coated is poured longitudinally onto the plate starting from the upper edge of the small part, and at the same time, the starting point of the paint on the plate is guided from left to right across the width of the plate. According to the instructions of the respective manufacturer, the coated plate is ventilated and cured in a vertically suspended manner at the fixture.

[0293] The present invention particularly relates to the following embodiments:

[0294] 1. An LED lighting unit, comprising

[0295] a) a multi-layer body and

[0296] b) a first LED light source,

[0297] wherein the multi-layer body sequentially comprises the following layers:

[0298] a1) a carrier layer made of a translucent black or translucent gray thermoplastic composition,

[0299] a2) A stone layer with an average thickness of ≤ 2 mm on the entire surface of the stone layer

[0300] a3) A transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition with an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm on the entire surface, which is located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multi-layer body in the LED lighting unit.

[0301] Wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 so that the transparent layer a3 can be used as the light emitted by the LED light source.

[0302] 2. The LED lighting unit according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the composition of the carrier layer a1 and / or the composition of the transparent layer a3 is based on aromatic polycarbonate.

[0303] 3. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the average thickness of the carrier layer a1 on the entire surface of the carrier layer is 0.5 to 6 mm.

[0304] 4. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the multi-layer body has a geometric shape different from that of a plate.

[0305] 5. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the multi-layer body does not have other layers except for an optionally present protective layer.

[0306] 6. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the average thickness of the stone layer on the entire surface of the stone layer a2 is ≤ 0.3 mm.

[0307] 7. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the stone layer a2 has a morphology with a maximum roughness Rz of preferably at least 0.1 μm, preferably at least 0.5 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 10000 μm, more preferably 1.0 to 5000 μm at least on the flat surface facing the transparent layer a3.

[0308] 8. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the transparent layer a3 covers substantially the entire surface of the stone layer a2, especially at least 90%.

[0309] 9. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the carrier layer a1 covers the entire surface of the stone layer a2 or protrudes beyond the stone layer a2 at at least one side edge.

[0310] 10. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the LED lighting unit has a second LED light source, which is arranged such that it backlights the multilayer body.

[0311] 11. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the second LED light source has one or more RGB-LEDs.

[0312] 12. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 comprises

[0313] a) at least 90% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0314] b) a colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which comprises at least two colorants,

[0315] the total amount of the colorants of component b) is at most 0.1% by weight,

[0316] c) 0.00001% to 0.05% by weight of carbon black,

[0317] d) 0.00001 to 2% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives,

[0318] e) optionally at most 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment,

[0319] f) optionally one or more other additives, preferably selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers and / or IR absorbers.

[0320] 13. The LED lighting unit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 consists of the following components

[0321] a) 95% to 99.95% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0322] b) a colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which comprises at least two colorants selected from colorants based on anthraquinone, anthrapyridone, perinone, methine or quinoline,

[0323] with a total amount of 0.0005% to 0.02% by weight,

[0324] c) 0.00001% to 0.02% by weight of carbon black,

[0325] d) 0.00001% to 2% by weight of at least one light-scattering additive selected from acrylate-based light-scattering additives and / or silicone-based light-scattering additives,

[0326] e) Optionally, up to 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment,

[0327] f) Optionally, one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, UV absorbers, IR absorbers, flow improvers, light-scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, anti-dripping agents, fluorescent brighteners, and / or heat stabilizers.

[0328] 14. The LED lighting unit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 contains

[0329] a) At least 90% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0330] b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c, which contains at least two colorants, one of which is an anthraquinone-based colorant and the other is an anthrapyridone-based colorant,

[0331] wherein the total amount of the colorants of component b) is at most 0.1% by weight,

[0332] c) 0.002% to 0.020% by weight of carbon black,

[0333] d) 0.05% to 1.0% by weight of at least one light-scattering additive selected from acrylate-based light-scattering additives and / or silicone-based light-scattering additives,

[0334] f) Optionally, one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, flow improvers, light-scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers, and / or IR absorbers,

[0335] and

[0336] does not contain white pigment.

[0337] 15. The LED lighting unit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer contains

[0338] a) At least 90% by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate,

[0339] b) a colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, and the colorants are selected from colorants based on anthraquinone, anthrapyridone, violanthrone, methine or quinoline,

[0340] wherein the total amount of the colorants of component b) is at most 0.1% by weight,

[0341] c) 0.0003% to 0.020% by weight of carbon black,

[0342] d) 0.05 to 1.0% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives,

[0343] e) 0.03 to 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment,

[0344] f) optionally one or more other additives, which are especially selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers and / or IR absorbers.

[0345] 16. The LED lighting unit according to any one of embodiments 12 to 15, characterized in that the carbon black is nano-scale carbon black and contains at least one silsesquioxane as a scattering additive.

[0346] 17. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the LED lighting unit is an element for forming a floor covering, an element for furniture manufacturing, a wall panel, a door panel, a lamp component, a lighting element, a housing of a household appliance or an electrical device, or an element from the automotive field.

[0347] 18. The LED lighting unit according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, characterized in that the LED lighting unit is an element from the automotive field, more precisely a lighting element, an interior component, an instrument panel component, an instrument indicator panel component, a decorative strip, a sill strip, an armrest component or a center console component. Examples

[0348] The present invention is illustrated in detail by the following examples, but is not limited thereto.

[0349] Materials Used

[0350] Covestro Deutschland AG's transparent Makrolon® Ai: A bisphenol A-based aromatic polycarbonate with an MVR of 19 cm³ / (10 min), determined according to DIN ISO 1133:2012-03 at 300 °C and 1.2 kg, containing a UV absorber and a release agent. Ty, measured at 2 mm thickness according to ISO 13468-2:2006 (D65, 10°): 88.07%. Haze, determined at 2 mm layer thickness according to ASTM D1003:2013: 0.68%.

[0351] Covestro Deutschland AG's semi-transparent black-colored Makrolon® Ai: A bisphenol A-based aromatic polycarbonate with an MVR of 19 cm³ / (10 min), determined according to DIN ISO 1133:2012-03 at 300 °C and 1.2 kg, containing a UV absorber and a release agent. Ty, measured at 2 mm thickness according to ISO 13468-2:2006 (D65, 10°): 3.84%. Haze, determined at 2 mm layer thickness according to ASTM D1003:2013: 100%.

[0352] For pretreatment, the polycarbonate was dried in dry air at 120 °C for 4 hours.

[0353] Colored slate stone plates, mica slate stone plates, and sandstone plates, each with a thickness of approximately 3 mm, were cut to a size of 200 mm x 150 mm.

[0354] Manufacture of the molded body

[0355] On a KM GX400 injection molding machine from KraussMaffei Group GmbH, multi-layer molded parts with dimensions of 200 mm x 150 mm x 6 mm were manufactured for each stone plate.

[0356] For this purpose, in the first step, the stone plates that had been pre-conditioned in a heating cabinet at 150 °C for 15 minutes were each inserted into the first half of a steel mold with an internal mold dimension of 200 mm x 150 mm x 6 mm. After the mold was closed, the molten transparent polycarbonate material at 305 °C was injected onto the stone surface in the mold at a maximum injection pressure of approximately 2000 bar. The temperature of the mold wall was 100 °C on the ejection side and 90 °C on the opposite injection side. The injection time was 2.5 seconds. After a holding pressure time of 15 seconds (specific holding pressure: 850 bar) and a cooling time of 35 seconds, the mold was opened and the molded part was removed.

[0357] After the molded part has been cooled at room temperature for about 5 minutes, the polycarbonate sheet injected onto the stone surface is peeled off the stone slab. A very thin stone layer fixed to the polycarbonate sheet remains here, with an average thickness over the entire surface of <2 mm.

[0358] The polycarbonate sheet containing the thin stone layer with an average thickness slightly greater than 3 mm is pre-conditioned again in a heating cabinet at 115 °C for 15 minutes. At the same time, the polycarbonate material in the injection barrel is changed from transparent to translucent black. Subsequently, the sheet is reinserted into the first half of a steel mold with internal dimensions of 200 x 150 x 6 mm, with the surface having the stone layer facing the second half of the mold. After the mold is closed, the translucent black polycarbonate material melted at 305 °C is injected onto the transparent polycarbonate sheet with the stone surface in the mold at a maximum specific injection pressure of about 2000 bar. The temperature of the mold wall is 90 °C on the ejection side and 65 °C on the opposite injection side. The injection time is 2.2 seconds. After a holding pressure time of 15 seconds (specific holding pressure: 800 bar) and a cooling time of 30 seconds, the mold is opened and the finished molded part with a total thickness of about 6 mm is removed.

[0359] For the illumination of the molded body, it is clamped in a light box, which is manufactured to accommodate a plate with dimensions of 200 mm x 150 mm. This light box has LED strips extending around the plate for edge illumination and an RGB-LED printed circuit board on the back for backlighting. The edge illumination and the backlighting can be operated here either individually or in combination. The effects mentioned above in the description are achieved here.

Claims

1. An LED lighting unit, comprising a) a multi-layer body and b) a first LED light source, wherein the multi-layer body sequentially comprises the following layers: a1) a carrier layer made of a translucent black or translucent grey thermoplastic composition, a2) a stone layer with an average thickness of ≤2 mm on the entire surface of the stone layer, a3) a transparent layer made of a thermoplastic composition with an average thickness of 1 to 6 mm on the entire surface, which is located on one side of the stone layer a2, and this side is the visible surface of the multi-layer body in the LED lighting unit, wherein the first LED light source is arranged at at least one side edge of the transparent layer a3 such that the transparent layer a3 can be used as a light conductor for the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the stone layer a2 has a maximum roughness R of at least 0.1 μm at least on the flat surface facing the transparent layer a3 z in the form of a topography 2. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, the composition of the carrier layer a1 and / or the composition of the transparent layer a3 is based on aromatic polycarbonate.

3. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The average thickness of the carrier layer a1 on the entire surface of the carrier layer is 0.5 to 6 mm.

4. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multi-layer body has a geometric shape different from that of a plate.

5. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multi-layer body does not have other layers except for an optionally existing protective layer.

6. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The average thickness of the stone layer on the entire surface of the stone layer a2 is ≤0.3 mm.

7. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The stone layer a2 has a maximum roughness R of at least 0.5 μm at least on the flat surface facing the transparent layer a3. z This is a topography of at least 0.5 μm.

8. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transparent layer a3 covers at least 90% of the stone layer a2.

9. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The carrier layer a1 covers the entire surface of the stone layer a2 or protrudes beyond the stone layer a2 at at least one side edge.

10. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The LED lighting unit has a second LED light source, and the second LED light source is arranged such that it backlights the multi-layer body.

11. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second LED light source has one or more RGB-LEDs.

12. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 contains a) at least 90% by weight of aromatic polycarbonate, b) a colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, and the total amount of the colorants in component b) is at most 0.1%, c) 0.00001% to 0.05% by weight of carbon black, d) 0.00001% to 2% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives, e) optionally at most 1.0% by weight of at least one white pigment, f) optionally one or more other additives selected from mold release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers and / or IR absorbers.

13. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 consists of a) 95% to 99.95% by weight of aromatic polycarbonate, b) a total amount of 0.0005% to 0.02% by weight of a colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, and the at least two colorants are selected from colorants based on anthraquinone, anthrapyridone, perinone, methine or quinoline, c) 0.00001% to 0.02% by weight of carbon black, d) 0.00001% to 2% by weight of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives, e) Optionally, up to 1.0 wt% of at least one white pigment, f) Optionally, one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, UV absorbers, IR absorbers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, anti-dripping agents, fluorescent brighteners, and / or heat stabilizers.

14. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer a1 comprises a) At least 90 wt% of an aromatic polycarbonate, b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c, which contains at least two colorants, wherein one colorant is an anthraquinone-based colorant and the other colorant is an anthrapyridone-based colorant, wherein the total amount of the colorants in component b) is at most 0.1 wt%, c) 0.002 wt% to 0.020 wt% of carbon black, d) 0.05 wt% to 1.0 wt% of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives, f) Optionally, one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers, and / or IR absorbers, and does not contain white pigment.

15. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The translucent thermoplastic composition of the carrier layer comprises a) At least 90 wt% of an aromatic polycarbonate, b) A colorant mixture made of colorants different from component c and component e, which contains at least two colorants, wherein the colorants are selected from anthraquinone-, anthrapyridone-, perinone-, methine-, or quinoline-based colorants, wherein the total amount of the colorants in component b) is at most 0.1 wt%, c) 0.0003 wt% to 0.020 wt% of carbon black, d) 0.05 wt% to 1.0 wt% of at least one scattering additive selected from acrylate-based scattering additives and / or silicone-based scattering additives, e) 0.03 wt% to 1.0 wt% of at least one white pigment, f) Optionally, one or more other additives selected from release agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, anti-dripping agents, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, flow improvers, light scattering agents different from component d, antistatic agents, UV absorbers, or IR absorbers.

16. The LED lighting unit according to claim 12, characterized in that, The carbon black is nanoscale carbon black and contains at least one silsesquioxane as the scattering additive.

17. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The LED lighting unit is an element for forming floor coverings, an element for furniture manufacturing, a wall panel, a lighting element, a housing of an electrical device, or an element from the automotive field.

18. The LED lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The LED lighting unit is selected from instrument panel parts, decorative strips, armrest parts, or center console parts.

19. The LED lighting unit according to claim 13, characterized in that, The carbon black is nanoscale carbon black and contains at least one silsesquioxane as the scattering additive.

20. The LED lighting unit according to claim 14, wherein The carbon black is nanoscale carbon black and contains at least one silsesquioxane as the scattering additive.

21. The LED lighting unit according to claim 15, characterized in that, The carbon black is nanoscale carbon black and contains at least one silsesquioxane as the scattering additive.

Images