Multi-layer, weatherable compositions and method of manufacture thereof

1. A multi-layer composition, comprising

a) an upper layer comprising an aliphatic polyamide, and an additive composition comprising a hindered amine light stabilizer and a hydroxyphenyl-triazine or -pyrimidine UV absorber;

b) an intermediate layer comprising a polymeric ionomer resin having at least some negatively charged moieties selected from the group consisting of sulfonate and phosphonate moieties; and

c) a polymeric substrate; wherein said intermediate layer is disposed between and in intimate contact with said upper layer and said substrate.

2. The multi-layer composition of claim 1 , characterized by a peel strength adhesion between the upper layer and the intermediate layer of at least about 5 pounds per inch as measured by a 180 degree peel test.

3. The multi-layer composition of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer further comprises an additive composition comprising at least one of TiO 2 , dyes, pigments, special effects additives, or a mixture thereof.

4. The multi-layer composition of claim 1 , wherein said hindered amine light stabilizer comprises a substituted piperidine moiety or an oligomer substituted piperidine moiety.

5. The multi-layer composition of claim 4 , wherein said hindered amine light stabilizer is selected from one of:

a) a 4-piperidinol derivative having the general formula

 wherein X is oxygen; Y is hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, or alkyl substituted by both hydroxyl and amino groups, where the alkyl has up to about 20 carbon atoms on average; R 6 and R 7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an arylalkyl group; R 8, R 9, R 10, and R 11 are each independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, an arylalkyl group, an aromatic heterocyclic group having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and containing an oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atom, or R 8, R 9, R 10, and R 11 respectively, together or with the carbon atom to which they are attached are a C 5 to C 12 cycloalkyl group; Z is an oxy radical, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group, an arylalkyl group that is unsubstituted or which has one or more substituents in its aryl moiety; and R 13 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an ester, a carbonyl, an acyl group, an aliphatic acyl group, or a group represented by the formula —COOR 15 , or —OOCR 15, wherein R 15 is an alkyl group, a benzyl group, a phenyl group;

b) a hindered amine light stabilizer of the formula:

 wherein n is on average greater than about 9, and less than about 12

c) a hindered amine light stabilizer of the formula:

 wherein n is on average greater than about 4, and less than about 7;

d) a hindered amine light stabilizer of the formula:

e) or a hindered amine light stabilizer of the formula:

f) or a mixture comprising at least one of the foregoing hindered amine light stabilizers.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said hindered amine light stabilizer is present in an amount greater than about 0.1% by weight, and less than about 10% by weight of the total weight of said upper layer.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said hydroxyphenyl-triazine or -pyrimidine UV absorber contains a 2,4,6-trisaryl-1,3,5-triazine moiety and a free hydroxyl group, or contains a 2,4,6-trisaryl-1,3-pyrimidine moiety and a free hydroxyl group.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said UV absorber is selected from one of:

a) an UV absorber of the formula:

b) an UV absorber of the formula:

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said hydroxyphenyl-triazine or -pyrimidine UV absorber is present at a concentration greater than or equal to about 0.01% by weight, and less than or equal to about 10% by weight of said upper layer.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the substrate layer comprises polycarbonate.

11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is in the form of a film.

12. An article comprising the composition of claim 1 .

13. The multi-layer composition of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of a polycarbonate and a polymeric ionomer.

14. An article comprising the composition of claim 13 .

15. The multi-layer composition of claim 13 , wherein a peel strength adhesion between the upper layer and the intermediate layer is at least about 5 pounds per inch as measured by a 180 degree peel test.

16. A multi-layer composition, comprising a) an upper layer comprising an aliphatic polyamide, and an additive composition comprising a hindered amine light stabilizer and a hydroxyphenyl-triazine or -pyrimidine UV absorber; b) an intermediate layer comprising a polymer system compatible with the aliphatic polyamide of said upper layer, for a peel strength adhesion between the upper layer and the intermediate layer of at least about 5 pounds per inch as measured by a 180 degree peel test; c) a polymeric substrate; wherein said intermediate layer is disposed between and in intimate contact with said upper layer and said substrate,

wherein said intermediate layer comprises a polymeric ionomer resin having at least some negatively charged moieties selected from the group consisting of sulfonate and phosphonate moieties, and

wherein the polymeric ionomer resin is a polyester ionomer resin.

17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric ionomer resin is a polyester ionomer resin.