FREE STANDING POLYMERIC FILMS
Polymeric compositions comprising polyvinylidene fluoride and one or more acrylic components are described. The compositions can be formed into films which do not require a carrier or other backing. Also described are methods for forming the films and applications for the films.
1 . A composition comprising:
from 50% to 99% of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer;
from 1% to 50% of at least one acrylic component;
from 0% to 5% of at least one supplemental resin;
from 0% to 15% of at least one plasticizer; and
an effective amount of solvent.
2 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 60% to 90%.
3 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the at least one acrylic component is from 10% to 40%.
4 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the supplemental resin is from about 1% to 5%.
5 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the plasticizer is from about 0% to 10%.
6 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 65% to 85%.
7 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the acrylic component is 15% to 35%.
8 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the supplemental resin is from 1% to 3%.
9 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of plasticizer is from 1% to 10%.
10 . The composition of claim 1 additionally comprising up to 25% pigment.
11 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least one crosslinking agent.
12 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is free of crosslinking agents.
13 . A method for forming a polyvinylidene fluoride film, the method comprising:
providing a composition including from 50% to 99% of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer, from 1% to 50% of at least one acrylic component, from 0% to 5% of at least one supplemental resin, from 0% to 15% of at least one plasticizer, and an effective amount of solvent;
providing a substrate defining at least one face;
forming a layer of the composition on the face of the substrate;
performing at least one of drying and fusing of the layer to thereby form the polyvinylidene fluoride film.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the drying or fusing is performed by heating to a temperature of from 280° F. to 370° F.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the heating is performed for a time period of from 1 minute to 5 minutes.
16 . The method of claim 13 further comprising:
removing the film from the substrate to thereby obtain an unsupported film.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising:
winding the unsupported film in a roll.
18 . The method of claim 13 wherein the thickness of the layer of the composition is from 0.1 mil to 5 mil.
19 . A polyvinylidene fluoride film produced by the method of claim 13 .
20 . The film of claim 19 wherein the film has a thickness of 0.1 mil to 3 mil.
21 . The film of claim 19 wherein the film is free of a carrier or support.
22 . The film of claim 19 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 5% without breaking or fracturing.
23 . The film of claim 22 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 25% without breaking or fracturing.
24 . The film of claim 23 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 50% without breaking or fracturing.
25 . The film of claim 24 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 100% without breaking or fracturing.
26 . An unsupported film free of a carrier, the film including a cured composition, the composition prior to curing having from 50% to 99% of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer and from 1% to 50% of at least one acrylic component, wherein the film has a thickness in a range of from 0.1 mil to 5 mil and can undergo an elongation of up to 5% without breaking or fracturing.
27 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 25% without breaking or fracturing.
28 . The unsupported film of claim 27 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 50% without breaking or fracturing.
29 . The unsupported film of claim 28 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 100% without breaking or fracturing.
30 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 60% to 90%.
31 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the amount of the acrylic component is from 10% to 40%.
32 . The unsupported film of claims 26 wherein the composition further has from 1% to 5% of a supplemental resin.
33 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the composition further has from 0.1% to 10% of plasticizer.
34 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the composition further has from 0.1% to 25% pigment.
35 . The unsupported film claim 26 wherein the film is crosslinked.
36 . The unsupported film of claim 26 wherein the film is free of crosslinking agents.