A transparent composite material, a product with diffusion effect, and its preparation method and application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transparent composite, a product with a diffusion effect, and its preparation method and application. The transparent composite comprises a transparent polymer, a foaming agent, and a laser absorber. The present invention introduces a trace amount of the foaming agent and the laser absorber into the transparent composite. The laser absorber absorbs laser energy and generates heat, triggering the decomposition of the foaming agent, forming numerous tiny bubbles within the transparent composite. Because the bubbles do not block light and the light energy is not attenuated, light is fully refracted when passing through the tiny bubbles, thereby achieving a bright diffusion effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of light diffusion, and in particular relates to a transparent composite, a product with diffusion effect, and a preparation method and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] Lighting lampshades require light diffusion technology to scatter light. However, traditional lampshades achieve this by adding nano-sized inorganic substances such as barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and talc. When these inorganic substances are added, light is refracted and reflected countless times through the surfaces of these tiny particles, achieving uniform light dispersion. However, since these inorganic substances are added, light cannot fully penetrate the inorganic molecules, resulting in significant light energy loss. This results in a poor brightening effect and only a change in the softness of the light.

[0003] For example, a patent has disclosed a light-scattering material that uses silicon microspheres as the core and porous nano-titanium dioxide hollow microspheres coated on the surface as light scattering agents. Although it can achieve good light scattering, the light transmittance is 66-69%, resulting in a large light energy loss.

[0004] Therefore, developing a new transparent material with good light diffusion effect and low light energy loss has important research significance and economic value. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks or shortcomings of prior art techniques that utilize inorganic particles as light diffusers, resulting in significant light energy loss and an inability to achieve a bright light diffusion effect. The present invention provides a transparent composite. A trace amount of a foaming agent and a laser absorber are introduced into the transparent composite. The laser absorber absorbs laser energy and generates heat, triggering the decomposition of the foaming agent, forming numerous tiny bubbles within the transparent composite. Because the bubbles do not block light and thus do not attenuate light energy, light is fully refracted as it passes through the tiny bubbles, achieving a bright light diffusion effect.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing the transparent composite.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide application of the transparent composite in laser marking.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a product with a diffusion effect.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0010] A transparent composite comprising the following components in parts by weight:

[0011] 100 parts of transparent polymer,

[0012] 0.01 to 0.05 parts of foaming agent,

[0013] 0.01 to 0.05 parts of laser absorbent.

[0014] The present invention introduces a trace amount of foaming agent and laser absorber into a transparent composite. The laser absorber generates heat after absorbing laser energy, triggering the decomposition of the foaming agent, and forming many tiny bubbles in the transparent composite. Since the bubbles have no blocking effect on light, the light energy is not attenuated. When the light passes through the tiny bubbles, it is fully refracted, thereby achieving a bright diffusion effect.

[0015] The amount of foaming agent used has a significant impact on the transparency and light diffusion effect of the transparent composite. If the weight of the foaming agent is too small, there will be too few bubbles and the light diffusion effect will not be achieved; if it is too large, the transparency of the composite will be affected.

[0016] The weight percentage of the laser absorber also has a significant impact on the performance of the transparent composite. If the laser absorber is too low, the foaming agent cannot be effectively decomposed during laser marking. If it is too high, the transparency of the composite will be affected and the transparent composite will char and turn black during laser marking.

[0017] Preferably, the transparent polymer is one or more of MABS (methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), GPPS (polystyrene), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PC (polycarbonate) or transparent PP (polypropylene).

[0018] Preferably, the light transmittance of the transparent polymer is ≥80%, and more preferably 80-92%.

[0019] The light transmittance is measured according to GB / T 2410-2008, with a thickness of 2 mm.

[0020] Conventional foaming agents in this field can be used in the present invention.

[0021] Preferably, the decomposition temperature of the foaming agent is 220-250°C, more preferably 220-230°C.

[0022] More preferably, the foaming agent is one or more of p-toluenesulfonylsemicarbazide, 4,4-oxo-bis(benzenesulfonyl)semicarbazide or trihydrazinotriazine.

[0023] Preferably, the laser absorber is one or both of indium tin oxide and antimony tin oxide.

[0024] Preferably, the average particle size of the laser absorber is ≤100 nm; more preferably, it is 20 to 50 nm.

[0025] Preferably, the transparent composite further comprises other processing aids, and the weight proportion of the other processing aids is 0 to 0.5 parts, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3 parts.

[0026] More preferably, the other processing aids are one or more of antioxidants, lubricants or weathering agents.

[0027] Further preferably, the antioxidant is one or more of antioxidant 1010, antioxidant 1098, antioxidant 1076, antioxidant 168 or antioxidant PEP-36.

[0028] More preferably, the lubricant is one or more of ethylene bisstearamide, calcium stearate or magnesium stearate.

[0029] More preferably, the weathering agent is one or more of the ultraviolet absorber UV-P, light stabilizer 770 or light stabilizer 944. The preparation method of the transparent composite comprises the following steps:

[0030] The components (transparent polymer, foaming agent, laser absorber and other processing aids (if any)) are mixed uniformly to obtain a mixture, and then the mixture is melt-extruded and granulated to obtain the transparent composite.

[0031] Preferably, the preparation method of the transparent composite comprises the following steps: uniformly mixing a transparent polymer, a foaming agent and a laser absorber in a high-speed mixer to obtain a mixture, then adding the mixture into a twin-screw extruder for melt extrusion and granulation to obtain the transparent composite.

[0032] More preferably, a high-speed mixer is used for stirring and mixing, with a stirring speed of 60 to 100 rpm and a stirring time of 3 to 5 minutes.

[0033] Preferably, a twin-screw extruder is used for melt extrusion and granulation; the extrusion temperature of the twin-screw extruder is 160-220° C., the aspect ratio is 40-65:1, and the screw speed is 300-450 rpm.

[0034] The application of the above transparent composite in laser marking also falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] The present invention also seeks to protect a product with a diffusion effect, which is obtained by injection molding the transparent composite and then performing laser marking treatment, such as a lampshade.

[0036] Transparent composites can be prepared into various shapes as needed through extrusion or injection molding, such as smooth surface, convex surface, concave surface, flat surface, inclined surface, curved surface or irregular shape; then various patterns, numbers or planes with diffusion effect are formed on various shapes through laser marking, thereby obtaining products with light diffusion effect.

[0037] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0038] The present invention introduces a trace amount of foaming agent and laser absorber into a transparent composite. The laser absorber generates heat after absorbing laser energy, triggering the decomposition of the foaming agent, and forming many tiny bubbles in the transparent composite. Since the bubbles have no blocking effect on light, the light energy is not attenuated. When the light passes through the tiny bubbles, it is fully refracted, thereby achieving a bright diffusion effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present invention is further described below with reference to the examples. These examples are intended to illustrate the present invention only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Experimental methods in the following examples where specific conditions are not specified are generally performed in accordance with conventional conditions in the art or the conditions recommended by the manufacturer; the raw materials and reagents used, unless otherwise specified, are all commercially available from conventional markets. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed in the present invention.

[0040] Some of the reagents selected in the embodiments and comparative examples of the present invention are described as follows:

[0041] A. Transparent polymer:

[0042] MABS 1#: TR557, LG, South Korea, light transmittance 88%;

[0043] MABS 2#: TR558A, LG, South Korea, light transmittance 88%;

[0044] GPPS: 123P, Shanghai Saike, transmittance 89%;

[0045] PMMA: CM-205, Chimei, Taiwan, China, 92%;

[0046] PC: S-2000F, Mitsubishi, Japan, 90%;

[0047] Transparent PP: K4912M, Shanghai Saike, 83%;

[0048] B. Foaming agent:

[0049] p-Toluenesulfonylsemicarbazide: Nanjing Tonghe Chemical Co., Ltd., decomposition temperature 225°C;

[0050] 4,4-Oxo-bis(benzenesulfonyl)semicarbazide: Shanghai Yihe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., decomposition temperature is 225℃;

[0051] Trihydrazinotriazine (THT): Hubei Chushengwei Chemical, decomposition temperature is 250℃;

[0052] C. Laser absorber:

[0053] Indium tin oxide: Keeling & Walker, average particle size 20 nm;

[0054] Antimony tin oxide: Keeling & Walker, average particle size 50 nm;

[0055] D. Inorganic matter:

[0056] Barium sulfate: commercially available;

[0057] Calcium carbonate: commercially available;

[0058] Talc: commercially available;

[0059] E. Other processing aids:

[0060] Antioxidant: Antioxidant 1010, commercially available.

[0061] Unless otherwise specified, certain components (such as barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, talc, antioxidant) in the examples and comparative examples are the same commercially available products.

[0062] The transparent composites in the examples and comparative examples of the present invention were prepared by the following process:

[0063] The raw materials were weighed and dry-mixed in a mixer at a speed of approximately 100 rpm for 4 minutes. The mixed raw materials were then melt-extruded and granulated in a twin-screw extruder with a length-to-diameter ratio of 40:1, a temperature range of 160°C, 190°C, 190°C, 200°C, 210°C, 210°C, 220°C, 220°C, 220°C, and a speed of 450 rpm to obtain plastic particles, namely, a transparent composite.

[0064] The plastic particles were injection molded at approximately 200° C. into color plates (2 mm thick).

[0065] The color plates obtained by injection molding the transparent polymers used in Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were laser-marked using a Han's Laser EP-12 laser marking machine at a current of 20A, a marking speed of 1000 mm / s, and a frequency of 17 kHz to produce light diffusion patterns. The transparency, transmittance, and haze of the color plates were tested before laser marking, and after laser marking, the transparency, transmittance, haze, and light diffusion effect of the color plates were tested. The test locations before and after laser marking were consistent.

[0066] The transparency, light transmittance, haze and light diffusion effect of the color plates obtained by injection molding the transparent polymers of Comparative Examples 5 to 8 were tested.

[0067] (1) Transparency: Transparency is observed with the naked eye under visible light.

[0068] (2) Light transmittance: measured in accordance with GB / T 2410-2008, thickness 2 mm.

[0069] (3) Haze: Measured in accordance with GB / T 2410-2008, thickness 2 mm.

[0070] (4) Light diffusion effect: when the transmittance is ≥30% and the haze is ≥70%, it has a bright light diffusion effect; when the transmittance is <30% and the haze is ≥70%, it has a darker light diffusion effect; when the transmittance is ≥30% and the haze is <70%, the light diffusion effect is poor; when the transmittance is <30% and the haze is <70%, it is opaque and has no light diffusion effect.

[0071] Examples 1 to 12

[0072] This embodiment provides a series of transparent composites, the formulations of which are shown in Table 1.

[0073] Table 1: Formulas of Examples 1 to 12 (parts)

[0074]

[0075] Comparative Examples 1 to 8

[0076] This comparative example provides a series of transparent composites, the formulations of which are shown in Table 2.

[0077] Table 2: Formulas of Comparative Examples 1 to 8 (parts)

[0078]

[0079] The properties of the transparent composites provided in the embodiments and comparative examples were tested according to the aforementioned performance testing method. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0080] Table 3 Performance test results of the transparent composites provided by Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] The above test results show that the transparent composite material provided by the present invention has good transparency before laser marking; after laser marking, the light diffusion pattern area has a bright light diffusion effect, the transmittance is ≥30%, and the haze is ≥70%. In Comparative Example 1, only a laser absorber is added without a foaming agent. After laser marking, the transparent composite material is charred and blackened, and there is no light diffusion effect. In Comparative Example 2, the amount of foaming agent used is too much, which affects the transparency of the transparent polymer, resulting in a translucent and foggy state, and the laser marking shows a darker light diffusion effect. In Comparative Example 3, only a foaming agent is added without a laser absorber, and laser marking cannot be performed; in Comparative Example 4, the amount of laser absorber used is too much, which affects the transparency of the transparent composite material. After laser marking, the transparent composite material is charred and blackened, and there is no light diffusion effect. In Comparative Examples 5 to 8, inorganic substances are added to achieve a light diffusion effect. Their transmittance and haze are low, and their light diffusion effect is darker.

Claims

1. A transparent composite, characterized in that: The composition comprises the following components in parts by weight: 100 parts of transparent polymer, 0.01 to 0.05 parts of foaming agent, Laser absorbent 0.01-0.05 parts; The light transmittance of the transparent polymer is ≥80%; The decomposition temperature of the foaming agent is 220-250°C.

2. The transparent composite according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent polymer is one or more of MABS, GPPS, PMMA, PC or transparent PP.

3. The transparent composite according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foaming agent is one or more of p-toluenesulfonyl semicarbazide, 4,4-oxo-bis(benzenesulfonyl semicarbazide) or trihydrazinotriazine.

4. The transparent composite according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser absorber is one or both of indium tin oxide and antimony tin oxide; and the average particle size of the laser absorber is ≤100 nm.

5. The transparent composite according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent composite further comprises other processing aids, and the weight portion of the other processing aids is 0 to 0.5 parts.

6. The method for preparing the transparent composite according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The steps include: The components are mixed uniformly to obtain a mixture, and then the mixture is melted, extruded, and granulated to obtain the transparent composite.

7. Use of the transparent composite according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in laser marking.

8. A product with a diffusion effect, characterized in that: The transparent composite material according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is injection-molded and then laser-marked to obtain the product.

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