DE2730078A1 - METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OBJECTS FROM ACRYLIC GLASS - Google Patents

Description

Process for the production of objects from acrylic glass

or polyester The invention relates to a method of manufacture of objects, especially sheets or foils, made of acrylic glass or

Polyester. Acrylic glass is understood to mean a polymerized acrylate, that can be firm or elastic.

Methacrylic acid esters are known for the production of objects from acrylic glass pour it into molds and then add heat or contain it Let hardener harden (polymerize). Let through this known procedure objects with very large dimensions, e.g. a Create a one-meter block, as bubbles and cracks can easily form. If one wants objects or plates made of two or more by the known method Produce layers in particular with different properties, so a Layer should always be poured on after the one underneath has hardened is.

This makes the process time-consuming and complicates manufacture in large numbers. Furthermore, are manufactured according to this known method Blocks the individual layers visible. Also is with the known Process a deformation or processing of the material after the casting process and not possible before hardening.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned at the beginning To improve the type in such a way that large or two- resp.

multi-layer items in a simple way, quickly and error-free can be produced. Alternatively, the object of the invention is to create a method through which an intermediate product is created that can be processed further can be.

These objects are achieved according to the invention in that acrylic glass or polyester in pearl, grain or broken form into an acrylic acid ester or methacrylic acid ester or is stirred into styrene in such an amount that after the mixture was poured into the desired shape, an elastic, gelatinous mass arises and that this mass then polymerizes.

The inventive method is a first pourable and then created elastic, gelatinous intermediate or preliminary product on which can easily be acted upon and that in its gelatinous state for objects is stable, so that objects can be placed without them being essential penetrate into the gelatinous mass.

The gelatinous mass can also be easily cut and shaped and can be in several layers, especially layers with different properties, are placed on top of each other, the surfaces of layers placed on top of each other react during the curing with each other chemically, so that an inseparable, invisible Connection is established. Leave it thus flexible as an intermediate product Create layers and bodies that remain chemically reactive until hardened.

The result is a gel-like mass that is particularly easy to process when 45-75, especially 50-70 g acrylic glass or

Polyester are stirred into 100 g of mixture each time. The acrylic glass or the polyester should have a grain size of about 50 to 500> y, in particular 90-250 show.

If objects of optically perfect quality are to be created, So it is proposed that the pearl, granular or perforated acrylic glass and the polymerized Methacrylic acid esters have the same refractive index. To ensure good adhesion of the to achieve gelatinous mass on the surfaces of other objects suggested that adhesion promoters be stirred in, the chemical adhesion of the gelatinous mass on surfaces of other materials, especially metal surfaces, to enhance. These adhesion promoters remain reactive in the gelatinous mass.

It is preferably proposed that under pressure and supply of Heat polymerizes the gelatinous mass. To create a surface deformation of the objects or plates, the mixture receiving form can be at least one have correspondingly deformed surface. For the production of two or more layers Sheets can be mixed in layers, in particular with different properties are poured, which are placed on top of each other after they have reached their gelatinous state and polymerize. For enclosing or encapsulating those to be protected Parts, these can be placed between at least two gelatinous layers, which then polymerize. It is preferably proposed that the parts to be protected are photovoltaic solar cells.

Two- or multi-layer panels can be quickly and easily made and continuously produce by applying a first gelatinous layer A conveyor is placed and then one or more successively on this one gelatinous layers are laid. Should be protected between layers Parts such as photovoltaic solar cells are inserted, so they can be used for easier placement and for exact alignment and fixation on a film or Foil strips be attached, which are introduced between the layers with or after Application of the parts can be peeled off or applied by a suction device will.

To increase the mechanical strength of the layers, between these fiberglass mats are placed. To form the layers, the pearl, grain or broken acrylic glass or polyester and methacrylic acid ester or acrylic acid ester having mixture of the conveying device continuously fed by stirrers will. The thickness of the gelatinous layers can be determined in that the mass is guided between two superimposed conveyor belts. Furthermore can the gelatinous layers are fed to a press that creates the layers compresses and heats and thereby polymerizes and opacities and air bubbles removed.

The press can also cut the gelatinous layers and / or shape.

A continuous and fast production is guaranteed, that the press revolving at the speed of the conveyor, heated Has stamp. The stamps can have a hollow shape that is open at the bottom, whose Cut through the edges of the gelatinous layers.

On the underside of the layers there are preferably sub-shapes or Arranged press tables that rotate synchronously with the punches.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. They show: FIG. 1 a part of a section through a multilayer acrylic glass surrounding solar cell; and FIG. 2 is a schematic representation, gathered in length a device for the continuous production of such solar cells.

For the production of plates, foils or objects of all kinds Acrylic glass or polyester becomes pearl, granular or broken acrylic glass or polyester (a polymer) with a grain size of 90 to 250 into a methacrylic acid ester (a pure monomer) or stirred into styrene, the polymer in a concentration of 50-70 g per 100 g mixture is present.

The monomer dissolves the pearls, grains or fragments, which then swell and keep getting bigger. Through the growth of pearls, grains or fragments the viscosity of the mixture increases until it gels into a tough, elastic mass. This flexible, gelatinous, rubber-like mass is stable for objects, i. E. Objects can be placed on their upper surface without them being significantly penetrate the mass.

Before the mixture takes on its gelatinous state, it is pourable, so that it is previously poured into molds or into sheets or foils. The gelatinous flexible layers and bodies created by this are up to to polymerize them an intermediate product that is easily shaped, stamped, cut or can be pressed. The reactivity of this mass has been preserved, so that upon contact of a surface of this mass with an object, e.g. one Metal surface, or with the surface anchors or the same flexible mass creates a firm hold after polymerisation. Adhesion promoters contained in the mass react in the same way during the polymerization In the same way as with conventional methacrylic acid esters mixed with adhesion promoters or

Styrenes.

The subsequent polymerization of the gelatinous mass takes place in the usual way by adding heat or by hardening agents contained in the mass. Should there be a close contact between the mass in a single or multi-layer structure Layer surfaces are achieved, so is during the polymerization on the mass in particular, pressure of at least 3 to 4 atmospheres is exerted perpendicular to the surfaces. A pressure of at least approx. 3 to 4 atm also removes one contained in the mass milky cloudiness and air bubbles between the layers. During the Polymerization of the flexible mass can be reshaped by pressing or by pressing a metal plate resting against the ground, the surface of which is profiled or embossed is to be structured. As a result, e.g. the surface of such a manufactured Acrylic glass or polyester plates are given a geometry that has a collecting and / or Change of direction of the incoming or outgoing rays achieved. This is e.g. in the manufacture of lamp glasses, reflectors or photovoltaic Solar cells matter. A high optical quality becomes one of several layers Requires plate produced by the process according to the invention, so must pearl-shaped acrylic glass or the polyester and the polymerized methacrylic acid ester or the styrene have the same refractive index.

The inventive method is a multilayer plate P can be produced in which, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, a photovoltaic solar cell 3 is included. The solar cell 3 is surrounded by two acrylic glass layers 2, 4, which remain soft and elastic even after polymerization or hardening. In these layers 2, 4 is an adhesion promoter, e.g. silane (silicon hydrogen) Contain the adhesion of the layer surfaces to the solar cell surfaces elevated. The two soft acrylic glass layers are on the top and bottom each surrounded by a hard acrylic glass layer 1, 5, each made of an insert Fiberglass included. On top of the plate P is a lacquer coating 6 based on silicon oxide attached, which is very hard and therefore scratch-resistant. With this structure it is possible to create a plate with a large number of solar cells (photovoltaic Solar cell module), which with a high mechanical strength the different Expansion coefficient between the solar cell and the plastic compensates and which is also W-resistant, weather-resistant and scratch-resistant.

For mass production of such a plate with several or one A device can use a large number of solar cells as a result of the method according to the invention can be used, as shown schematically in FIG. In a stirrer 16 acrylic glass or polyester in pearl form (or in grain or broken form) and methacrylic acid ester or styrene mixed in the above concentration and over a sheet 7 on a lower conveyor belt 8 is given, above which a shorter, upper conveyor belt 9 is arranged is, between which the flowable mixture to form a band-shaped layer 1a and in the strength is determined. The layer 1a is transported on by the lower conveyor belt 8 and becomes gelatinous in the meantime, so that it is stable for further layers will. As soon as it has become stable, sections of fiberglass mat are placed on top of it 1b laid at certain intervals, which run off a roll 10 and through a cutting device 11 are separated. A gel-like layer is applied to the mats 1b or the lower layer 1a flexible mass 1c laid, which has been produced like the layer 1a and the Contains the same constituents, so that after the subsequent polymerization the layer la, 1b and 1c combine to form the layer 1 made of hard acrylic glass or polyester (Fig. 1).

A layer 2 of gelatinous mass is placed on top of these layers laid, which as well as the later layers 4, 5a and 5c in the above described Way was made from a mixture and additionally contains an adhesion promoter. Solar cells 3 are placed on this layer, either for simple attachment and exact alignment are attached to strips of plastic film or by suction grippers are placed. Then one of the layer 2 is corresponding Layer 4 is applied, layers 2 and 4 being soft after polymerization elastic acrylic glass or

Form polyester. To form the top layer 5, one after the other Layers 5a, 5b and 5c applied, which correspond to layers 1a, 1b and 1c, so that again a glass fiber sections producing cutting device 13 and a Supply roll 12 are provided.

It is made from six layers of flexible plastic and two layers of fiberglass and solar cells existing tape is conveyed to a press that has a larger one Number of circumferential stamps 14a, 14b arranged at the top, which on their underside are in the form of a downwardly open box. The stamps are running in the direction of the tape with the tape at the same speed and cut with the lower bands of their vertical side walls a rectangular one plate from the tape, the punches exerting a pressure of 3 to 4 atmospheres on the tape and through a built-in heat source that located in the case of the stamp Heat the plate in such a way that the gelatinous mass of all plastic layers polymerized. Since the solar cells 3 only cover the width of the fiberglass sections 1b and 5b are arranged and the side walls of the stamp overlap this area, a photovoltaic solar cell module is produced by each stamp 14a, 14b. Press tables 15a, 15b run synchronously on the underside of the plastic belt, who ensure the necessary conditions. Upper and lower tools 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b are preferably attached to chains for their transport. The one on top Areas of the stamps 14a, 14b that act on the solar cell modules can be pronounced exhibit certain regular deformations of the surface of the solar cell modules to reach. After the pressing and cutting process, the solar cell modules are included provided with a scratch-resistant lacquer coating 6.

L e r s e i t e

Claims (21)

Claims i3 method for the production of objects, in particular Sheets or foils made of acrylic glass or polyester, d a d u r c h e k e n n z e i c h n e t that acrylic glass or polyester in pearl, grain or broken form in one Acrylic acid esters or methacrylic acid esters or in styrene in such an amount is stirred in, that after the mixture has been poured into the desired shape, an elastic, gelatinous mass is created and this mass then polymerizes. 2. The method according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that 45 to 75, in particular 50 to 70 g of acrylic glass or polyester in each 100 g of mixture are stirred in. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h n e t that the acrylic glass or the polyester has a grain size of about 50 up to 500 #, in particular 90 to 250 each. 4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, d a d u r c h g e -k e n It is not noted that the pearl, granular or broken acrylic glass or polyester and the polymerized methacrylic acid ester and styrene, respectively, have the same refractive index exhibit. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, d a d u r c h g e k It is noted that adhesion promoters are stirred in, which the chemical Adhesion of the gelatinous mass to surfaces of other materials, in particular on metal surfaces. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, d a d u r c h g e k It is noted that under pressure and the application of heat the gelatinous The mass polymerizes. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, d a d u r c h g e k It is noted that the creation of a surface deformation of the objects or plates, the shape receiving the mixture at least one correspondingly deformed Has surface. 8, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, d a d u r c h g e k It is noted that the mixture is in layers (1a, 1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c) in particular different properties are poured, which after obtaining their gelatinous State are placed on top of each other and polymerize. 9. The method according to claim 8, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that for the inclusion or for the encapsulation of parts to be protected these between at least two gelatinous layers are placed and these layers afterwards polymerize. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h e t that the parts to be protected are photovoltaic solar cells (3). 11. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, d u r g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that for continuous production of two-layer or multi-layer panels (P) or objects a conveyor (8) is provided on which a first gelatinous layer (la) is placed and then one or more gelatinous layers (1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c). 12. The apparatus of claim 11, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h n e t that for the introduction of the parts to be protected between the layers the parts are attached to a film that is inserted between the layers will. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h n e t that the parts to be protected are applied by a suction device will. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, 12 or 13, d a d u r c h g e k It is noted that at least one additional device (10, 11, 12, 13) are placed between the layers of glass fiber mats (1b, 5b). 15. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, d a -d u r c h it is noted that for the formation of the layers (1a, 1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c) the pearl, granular or broken acrylic glass or polyester and methacrylic acid ester or mixture of the conveying device of stirrers (16) containing acrylic acid esters is fed continuously. 16, device according to one of claims 11 to 15, d a -d u notices that the thickness of the gelatinous layer is determined by the distance between two superimposed treadmills (8, 9). 17. Device according to one of claims 11 to 16, d a -d u r c h it is not noted that the gelatinous layers (1a, 1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c) are fed to a press which presses the layers together and heats them. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h n e t that the press additionally cuts the gelatinous layers and / or forms. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, d a d u r c h g e k e n Note that the press is moving at the speed of the conveyor (8) has circumferential, heated stamp (14a, 14b). 20. The apparatus of claim 19, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n z e i c h n e t that the punches (14a, 14b) have a hollow shape that is open at the bottom, the edges of which cut through the gelatinous layers (1a, 1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c). 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that on the underside of the layers (1a, 1c, 2, 4, 5a, 5c) sub-forms or press tables (15a, 15b) rotate synchronously with the punches (14a, 14b).