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 method for forming a polyvinylidene fluoride film free of a carrier or support, the method comprising:
providing a composition including from 50 wt. % to 99 wt. % of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer, from 1 wt. % to 50 wt. % of at least one acrylic component, from 1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of at least one supplemental resin, from 1 wt. % to 15 wt. % 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; and
removing the film from the substrate to thereby obtain an unsupported film.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the drying or fusing is performed by heating to a temperature of from 280° F. to 370° F.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the heating is performed for a time period of from 1 minute to 5 minutes.
4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising:
winding the unsupported film in a roll.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the layer of the composition is from 0.1 mil to 5 mil.
6 . A polyvinylidene fluoride film produced by the method of claim 1 .
7 . The film of claim 6 wherein the film has a thickness of 0.1 mil to 3 mil.
8 . The film of claim 6 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 5% without breaking or fracturing.
9 . The film of claim 8 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 25% without breaking or fracturing.
10 . The film of claim 9 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 50% without breaking or fracturing.
11 . The film of claim 10 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 100% without breaking or fracturing.
12 . An unsupported film free of a carrier, the film including a cured composition, the composition prior to curing having from 50 wt. % to 99 wt. % of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer and from 1 wt. % to 50 wt. % 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.
13 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 25% without breaking or fracturing.
14 . The unsupported film of claim 13 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 50% without breaking or fracturing.
15 . The unsupported film of claim 14 wherein the film can undergo an elongation of up to 100% without breaking or fracturing.
16 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 60 wt. % to 90 wt. %.
17 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the amount of the acrylic component is from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. %.
18 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the composition further has from 1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of a supplemental resin.
19 . The unsupported film of claim 1 wherein the composition further has from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of plasticizer.
20 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the composition further has from 0.1 wt. % to 25 wt. % pigment.
21 . The unsupported film claim 12 wherein the film is crosslinked.
22 . The unsupported film of claim 12 wherein the film is free of crosslinking agents.
23 . A free-standing film comprising:
from 50 wt. % to 99 wt. % of at least one polyvinylidene fluoride polymer;
from 1 wt. % to 50 wt. % of at least one acrylic component;
from 1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of at least one supplemental resin;
from 1 wt. % to 15 wt. % of at least one plasticizer; and
an effective amount of solvent.
24 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 60 wt. % to 90 wt. %.
25 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of the at least one acrylic component is from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. %.
26 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer is from 65 wt. % to 85 wt. %.
27 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of the acrylic component is 15 wt. % to 35 wt. %.
28 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of the supplemental resin is from 1 wt. % to 3 wt. %.
29 . The film of claim 23 wherein the amount of plasticizer is from 1 wt. % to 10 wt. %.
30 . The film of claim 23 additionally comprising up to 25 wt. % pigment.
31 . The film of claim 23 wherein the composition comprises at least one crosslinking agent.
32 . The film of claim 23 wherein the composition is free of crosslinking agents.