Polymer Interlayer Yellow Color Reduction via Colorant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer interlayers in laminated safety glass often exhibit undesirable yellow color and optical defects, which affect the aesthetic appeal and optical quality of glass panels, particularly in applications requiring high visibility and clarity.
Innovation Solution
A polymer interlayer comprising poly(vinyl butyral) resin, a plasticizer, and specific colorants is developed, which reduces yellowness while maintaining high visible light transmission, achieved by controlling color coordinates (L*, a*, b*) and luminous transmittance (% T) through the addition of colorants in optimized ratios and concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If stabilizers and optical brighteners are added to reduce yellowness, then yellow color is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and formulation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer interlayer by incorporating specific stabilizers and optical brighteners in optimized ratios. This modifies the formulation to reduce yellow color development during processing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The parameter changes include selecting specific stabilizer types and concentrations that counteract yellowing without overly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation by combining poly(vinyl butyral) resin with multiple additives including stabilizers, optical brighteners, and other processing aids. This composite approach allows the interlayer to achieve reduced yellow color through the synergistic effects of multiple components working together, rather than relying on a single additive.
2Productivity
If process temperatures are increased during extrusion, then processing efficiency improves, but yellow color increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the extrusion process temperature parameters to balance processing efficiency with color quality. By carefully controlling the temperature profile during extrusion and incorporating temperature-stable formulations, the process achieves adequate productivity while minimizing yellow color development. The parameter optimization includes setting specific temperature ranges and residence times that prevent excessive thermal degradation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If colorants are added to achieve color neutrality, then aesthetic appeal improves, but formulation complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts the color properties of the polymer interlayer by incorporating specific colorants and optical brighteners in precisely controlled amounts. The formulation is designed to achieve color neutrality (a* and b* values close to zero) by balancing the optical properties of multiple components. This requires careful selection of colorant types and concentrations to compensate for yellow color while maintaining overall color balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of colorants and optical brighteners to achieve the desired color neutrality. By precisely controlling the amounts of these additives and their distribution throughout the interlayer, the formulation achieves consistent color properties. The parameter optimization includes determining the optimal ratios of different colorants and their total concentration relative to the base resin.
Data Source
AI summary
Polymer interlayers that have low color for multiple layer panels are disclosed. The use of polymer interlayers having low color provide multiple layer panels with a visibly neutral (low yellow) color as well as high visible light transmission.