UV-CURABLE ACRYLIC RESINS FOR PRODUCTION OF GLASS LAMINATES

Glass laminates have been readily obtained by photocuring at ambient t emperature of an acrylic adhesive consisting either of a liquid resin or a solid thermoplastic polymer. The light-induced polymerization pro cess was followed by real-time infrared spectroscopy. Close to 100% co nversion was reached within a few seconds of exposure, by taking as th e photoinitiator an alpha-hydroxy alkylphenone or an aryl phosphine ox ide. A liquid formulation containing an aliphatic polyurethane-acrylat e oligomer, acrylic acid, and butyl acrylate gives the best performanc e in terms of reactivity, adhesion, impact resistance, and transparenc y. The impact resistance was further increased by introducing a polyca rbonate core between the two glass plates. The solid thermoplastic pol ymer was obtained either by casting from a solution containing an alip hatic polurethane, an acrylate oligomer, and the photoinitiator or by mixing these compounds in the molten state and further extrusion. The glass assembly was heated above the softening temperature (80-degrees- C) under a 1 MPa pressure and cured by a 1 min exposure to UV radiatio n to give a strongly adhesive laminate showing good transparency and l ong term weatherability.