Tulipalin copolymers

1. A multilayer article comprising at least one protective layer comprising a α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone copolymer disposed on a substrate, the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone copolymer comprising structural units derived from α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone, styrene, methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile; and the substrate comprising a UV sensitive material, wherein the copolymer has a glass transition temperature ranging from about 110° C. to about 175° C.

2. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective layer additionally comprises at least one UV absorbing agent.

3. The multilayer article according to claim 2 , wherein the UV absorbing agent is 2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-hexyloxy-phenol.

4. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , additionally comprising a silicone hardcoat disposed on the protective layer.

5. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the UV sensitive material is selected from thermoplastic resins, thermoset resins and mixtures thereof.

6. The multilayer article according to claim 5 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is selected from polycarbonates, ABS copolymers, ASA copolymers and blends thereof.

7. The multilayer article according to claim 5 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is a polycarbonate resin.

8. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of structural units derived from α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone ranges from about 10% by weight to about 75% by weight.

9. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of structural units derived from styrene ranges from about 20% by weight to about 80% by weight, based on total weight.

10. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of structural units derived from methyl methacrylate ranges from about 5% by weight to about 50% by weight, based on total weight.

11. The multilayer article according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of structural units derived from acrylonitrile ranges from about 5% by weight to about 40% by weight, based on total weight.

12. A multilayer article comprising a silicone hardcoat; at least one protective layer comprising a copolymer comprising structural units derived from α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone, styrene, methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile; and a substrate comprising a UV sensitive material, wherein the copolymer has a glass transition temperature ranging from about 110° C. to about 175° C.

13. The multilayer article according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one protective layer additionally comprises at least one UV absorbing agent.

14. The multilayer article according to claim 13 , wherein the UV absorbing agent is 2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-hexyloxy-phenol.

15. The multilayer article according to claim 12 , wherein the UV sensitive material is selected from thermoplastic resins, thermoset resins and mixtures thereof.

16. The multilayer article according to claim 15 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is selected from polycarbonate resins, ABS copolymers, ASA copolymers and blends thereof.

17. The multilayer article according to claim 15 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is a polycarbonate resin.

18. A multilayer article comprising at least one protective layer comprising a α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone copolymer disposed on a substrate, the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone copolymer being derived from a monomer mixture consisting essentially of 10%-75% by weight α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone, 20%-80% by weight styrene, 5%-50% by weight methyl methacrylate and 5%-40% by weight acrylonitrile; and the substrate comprising a UV sensitive material, wherein the copolymer has a glass transition temperature ranging from about 110° C. to about 175° C.

19. The multilayer article according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one protective layer additionally comprises at least one UV absorbing agent.

20. The multilayer article according to claim 18 , additionally comprising a silicone hardcoat disposed on the protective layer.