Method for manufacturing PMMA film having excellent strength

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a PMMA film having excellent strength. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, provided is a method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film, the method comprising: a dissolution step of dissolving MMA and a photocrosslinkable monomer in ethanol at a preset ratio; a stirring step of adding a radical initiator to the dissolved solution and stirring same in a preset first environment; a precipitation step of adding a preset amount of distilled water to the stirred solution and precipitating same; a drying step of drying the obtained precipitate in a preset second environment; a manufacturing step of pulverizing and compressing the dried PMMA to manufacture a PMMA film; and an irradiation step of irradiating the manufactured PMMA film with light in an ultraviolet wavelength band.

Description

Method for manufacturing PMMA film with excellent strength

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a PMMA film having excellent strength.

[0002]

[0003] This patent is the result of research conducted in 2025 with funding from the government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and support from the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Industrial Technology (Project Unique Number: 2410009919, Sub-project Number: 00416098, Project Name: Electronic Components Industry Technology Development (R&D), Project Name: Development of Inorganic Luminescent Materials and Equipment Technology for Low-Temperature Thin Film Deposition on Large-Area Glass Substrates), and

[0004] This is the result of a research project conducted in 2026 with funding from the government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and support from the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Industrial Technology (Project No.: 2410015507, Sub-project No.: 00424466, Project Name: Materials and Components Technology Development (R&D), Project Name: Development of a color filter with a full width of 50 nm or less capable of selective transmission of nano-phosphor emission wavelengths).

[0005] The content described in this section merely provides background information regarding the present embodiment and does not constitute prior art.

[0006] A display device includes a cover window formed on a display panel to protect the display panel, etc. Such a cover window requires high strength, high durability, high visibility, excellent optical properties to prevent image distortion, and curved processability for forming large-area curved surfaces.

[0007] Conventional cover windows have been implemented using glass. In particular, considering passenger safety concerns, advancements in autonomous driving technology, and the competitiveness of CID infotainment, glass is required for use as display cover windows in high-performance automobiles. However, glass has relatively poor curved processing capabilities when used as cover windows.

[0008] As a result, attempts are being made to use PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) film as a substitute for glass. However, PMMA film has not been used as a cover window because of its relatively low strength. Even if a separate hard coating is applied to the PMMA film, it has been difficult to secure sufficient strength. Consequently, PMMA film has not been used in fields requiring strength above a certain standard, such as cover windows.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention has the objective of providing a method for manufacturing a PMMA film having excellent strength by improving strength.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film comprises: a dissolution process in which MMA and a photocrosslinkable monomer are dissolved in ethanol at a predetermined ratio; a stirring process in which a radical initiator is introduced into the dissolved solution and stirred in a predetermined first environment; a precipitation process in which a predetermined amount of distilled water is introduced into the stirred solution and precipitated; a drying process in which the obtained precipitate is dried in a predetermined second environment; a manufacturing process in which the dried PMMA is crushed and then compressed to produce a PMMA film; and an irradiation process in which light in the ultraviolet wavelength range is irradiated onto the manufactured PMMA film.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined ratio is characterized as being 90 to 99.9 : 0.1 to 10 based on MMA and photocrosslinkable monomer.

[0012] The above photocrosslinkable monomer is characterized by being a monomer that has the property of becoming crosslinked when irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the photocrosslinkable monomer is characterized as being a radical curable monomer containing a benzophenone group.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the radical initiator is characterized as being AIBN (Azobisisobutyronitrile).

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the radical initiator is characterized by being introduced in a ratio of 100:1 to 3 based on the amount of MMA and photocrosslinkable monomer introduced and the amount of radical initiator introduced.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first environment set is characterized in that stirring is carried out for 20 to 30 hours at a temperature of 60 to 100°C.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the preset amount is characterized by a ratio of 1:1 to 5 based on the amount of stirred solution and distilled water.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the previously set second environment is characterized by being an environment in which a temperature of 60 to 100°C is applied for 40 to 60 hours.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing process is characterized by manufacturing PMMA powder obtained by grinding by pressing it into a PMMA film.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing process is characterized by manufacturing PMMA powder into a PMMA film using a heat press.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, a high-strength PMMA film manufactured according to the above manufacturing method is provided.

[0022] As explained above, according to one aspect of the present invention, the strength is improved, and the PMMA film itself has the advantage of having excellent strength.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating PMMA and a monomer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating PMMA powder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing.

[0027] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any of a plurality of related described items.

[0028] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0029] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0031] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0032] In addition, each component, process, procedure, or method included in each embodiment of the present invention may be shared within a scope that is not technically contradictory to one another.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating PMMA and a monomer according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating PMMA powder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] A method for manufacturing a PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a PMMA film manufacturing apparatus.

[0035] A PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention possesses high strength (strength exceeding a preset standard value or a first standard value), high durability, high visibility, and excellent optical properties. A PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention can be primarily used in a configuration that protects a separate component, such as a cover window inside a vehicle, from the external environment while maintaining optical properties. Since the PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention possesses the aforementioned properties, it can replace the role previously performed by glass or the like. In particular, by manufacturing the PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention according to the method described below, it can possess superior strength compared to conventional PMMA films even without a hard coating. Furthermore, if a hard coating is additionally applied to the PMMA film according to one embodiment of the present invention, significant strength can be secured.

[0036] MMA and photocrosslinkable monomer are dissolved in ethanol at a predetermined ratio (S110).

[0037] MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) shown in Fig. 2(a) and the photocrosslinkable monomer shown in Fig. 2(b) are dissolved in ethanol at a predetermined ratio. The photocrosslinkable monomer is a monomer that has the characteristic of becoming crosslinked when irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range, and can be implemented as a radical curable monomer containing a benzophenone group.

[0038] Each component is dissolved in ethanol at a predetermined ratio. Here, the predetermined ratio may be 90 to 99.9 : 0.1 to 10 based on MMA and the photocrosslinkable monomer. If the photocrosslinkable monomer is included at 0.1% or less, there is a problem in that the strength of the final PMMA film to be manufactured is not secured, and if it is included at 10% or more, there is a problem in that the light transmittance of the final PMMA film to be manufactured decreases. MMA and the photocrosslinkable monomer are dissolved in ethanol at a predetermined ratio.

[0039] A radical initiator is added to a solution in which each component is dissolved, and the mixture is stirred in a preset environment (S120). A radical initiator is added to the dissolved solution. The radical initiator can be implemented as AIBN (Azobisisobutyronitrile). An additional radical initiator is added to the solution. The radical initiator can be added in a ratio of 100:1 to 3 based on the amount of MMA and photocrosslinkable monomer added and the amount of radical initiator added.

[0040] After a radical initiator is introduced into the solution, the solution is stirred in a preset environment. Here, the preset environment may be an environment in which stirring is carried out for 20 to 30 hours at a temperature of 60 to 100°C. In the aforementioned environment, the solution into which the radical initiator has been introduced is stirred.

[0041] After adding a preset amount of distilled water into the stirred solution, precipitation is performed (S130). A preset amount of distilled water is added into the stirred solution. Distilled water is additionally added to the stirred solution in a ratio of 1:1 to 5 based on the amount of the stirred solution and distilled water. After adding the distilled water, precipitation is performed to obtain a precipitate.

[0042] The obtained precipitate is dried in a preset environment (S140). Here, the preset environment may be an environment in which a temperature of 60 to 100°C is applied for 40 to 60 hours. The obtained precipitate is exposed to the preset environment and dried.

[0043] The dried PMMA is crushed and then compressed to produce a PMMA film (S150).

[0044] The PMMA dried in the aforementioned environment is ground using a mechanical mixer or the like. The dried PMMA is ground to obtain PMMA powder as shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] The obtained PMMA powder is compressed using a press to manufacture a PMMA film. For example, 25 to 100 g of the obtained PMMA powder is fed into a heat press, heated to 150 to 300°C, and several hundred to a thousand kg / cm² 2 Alternatively, if greater pressure is applied, it is manufactured into a PMMA film with a thickness of several millimeters. In this way, PMMA powder is manufactured into a PMMA film by compressing it using a (heat) press or the like as described above.

[0046] The manufactured PMMA film is irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range (S160). The PMMA film manufactured through the aforementioned process is irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range. The amount of light irradiated is 1,000 to 3,000 J / cm² 2 It is possible. When investigated in this manner, the photocrosslinkable monomer included with MMA is crosslinked with the MMA by the ultraviolet wavelength band and hardened. Accordingly, the strength of the finally manufactured PMMA film can be significantly improved compared to conventional PMMA films.

[0047] Although FIG. 1 describes each process as being executed sequentially, this is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of one embodiment of the present invention. In other words, a person skilled in the art to which one embodiment of the present invention belongs can modify and adapt it in various ways, such as changing the order described in each figure or executing one or more of the processes in parallel, without departing from the essential characteristics of one embodiment of the present invention; therefore, FIG. 1 is not limited to a chronological order.

[0048] Meanwhile, the processes illustrated in FIG. 1 can be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. That is, a computer-readable recording medium includes storage media such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.). In addition, computer-readable recording media can be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0049] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present embodiment, and a person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs would be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical concept of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present embodiment.

[0050]

[0051] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0052] If this patent application claims priority under Section 119(a) of the U.S. Patent Act (35 USC § 119(a)) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0030351 filed on March 10, 2025, all of the contents thereof shall be incorporated into this patent application by reference. Furthermore, if this patent application claims priority in countries other than the United States for the same reasons as above, all of the contents thereof shall be incorporated into this patent application by reference.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film, A dissolution process of dissolving MMA and photocrosslinkable monomers in ethanol at a predetermined ratio; A stirring process of introducing a radical initiator into a dissolved solution and stirring in a preset first environment; A precipitation process in which a preset amount of distilled water is added to a stirred solution, followed by precipitation; A drying process for drying the obtained precipitate in a pre-set second environment; A manufacturing process for producing a PMMA film by crushing dried PMMA and then pressing it; and Irradiation process of irradiating a manufactured PMMA film with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by including 2. In Paragraph 1, The ratio set above is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by a ratio of 90 to 99.9 : 0.1 to 10 based on MMA and photocrosslinkable monomer.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above photocrosslinkable monomer is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by a monomer having the property of crosslinking when irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above photocrosslinkable monomer is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by a radical-curable monomer containing a benzophenone group.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above radical initiator is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by being AIBN (Azobisisobutyronitrile).

6. In Paragraph 1, The above radical initiator is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by adding MMA and a photocrosslinkable monomer in a ratio of 100:1 to 3 based on the amount of radical initiator added.

7. In Paragraph 1, The first environment previously set above is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by an environment in which stirring is performed for 20 to 30 hours at a temperature of 60 to 100℃.

8. In Paragraph 1, The amount previously set above is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by a ratio of 1:1 to 5 based on the amount of stirred solution and distilled water.

9. In Paragraph 1, The second environment previously set above is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by an environment in which a temperature of 60 to 100°C is applied for 40 to 60 hours.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above manufacturing process is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by manufacturing PMMA powder obtained by grinding by pressing it into a PMMA film.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above manufacturing process is, A method for manufacturing a high-strength PMMA film characterized by manufacturing PMMA powder into a PMMA film using a heat press.

12. High-strength PMMA film manufactured according to the manufacturing method of claim 1.

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