Cellulose Ester Multilayer Interlayers for Architectural Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interlayers used in structural laminates, such as those in architectural glass applications, face challenges in providing sufficient structural support while maintaining optical clarity and processability, with many commercially available PVB interlayers exhibiting deficiencies in these aspects.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer interlayer comprising a non-cellulose ester layer with a poly(vinyl acetal) resin and a cellulose ester layer with a high hydroxyl content, where the cellulose ester layer has a glass transition temperature of at least 50°C, providing enhanced structural support and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If PVB interlayers are used to provide structural support in laminated glass, then stiffness and load bearing ability are improved, but optical clarity and processability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite interlayer structure combining PVB resin with cellulose ester particles. The PVB provides the necessary stiffness and load-bearing capacity, while the cellulose ester particles (with specific size distribution and concentration) maintain optical clarity and improve processability. This composite approach allows the interlayer to achieve both structural performance and optical properties simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces cellulose ester particles with specific local characteristics (size: 0.1-10 micrometers, concentration: 1-50 wt%) into the PVB matrix. These particles are distributed throughout the interlayer to provide localized reinforcement and optical enhancement, creating regions of improved stiffness without compromising overall optical clarity or processability.
2Strength
If PVB interlayers are used to provide structural support, then load bearing ability is improved, but optical clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cellulose ester particles with optimized size (0.1-10 micrometers) and concentration (1-50 wt%) to provide localized structural reinforcement while maintaining optical clarity. The particles are sized to minimize light scattering and are distributed to create uniform local reinforcement without compromising the overall optical properties of the interlayer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls the particle size parameters and concentration parameters of cellulose ester additives to optimize both structural and optical properties. By adjusting these parameters, the interlayer achieves sufficient load-bearing capacity while minimizing optical interference, as the particle size and concentration are optimized to balance structural reinforcement with light transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard PVB interlayers are used, then processability is maintained, but structural support and stiffness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where PVB resin maintains good processability while cellulose ester particles provide the necessary stiffness and structural support. The cellulose ester particles act as reinforcement fillers that do not significantly interfere with the processing characteristics of the PVB matrix, allowing standard processing methods to be used while achieving enhanced structural performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the interlayer by adding cellulose ester particles with specific size (0.1-10 micrometers) and concentration (1-50 wt%). These parameter changes enhance stiffness and structural support while the particle characteristics are optimized to maintain processability, ensuring that the interlayer can still be processed using conventional methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An interlayer structure having a cellulose ester layer for use in structural laminates is described herein. The cellulose ester layer provides rigidity and support to multilayer interlayers comprising an array of different layers. Due to the diverse properties of the cellulose ester layers, the present interlayers can be useful in producing structural laminates having high stiffness and which possess good optical clarity for a variety of applications, including outdoor structural applications.