JP2009048179A - Manufacturing method of polarizer, the polarizer, polarizing plate, optical film and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a broad polarizer by controlling the contraction in a drying process. <P>SOLUTION: In the manufacturing method of the polarizer, a polyvinyl alcohol film is subjected to at least a dyeing process, a cross-linking process and a stretching process and then to a drying process. In the drying process, the film subjected to the prescribed processes and having water content of 40 weight% or higher is dried by being brought into contact with several continuous hot rolls so as to have water content of 20 weight% or lower. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a polarizer and a polarizer obtained by the production method. The present invention also relates to a polarizing plate and an optical film using the polarizer, and further to an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device and a PDP using the polarizer, the polarizing plate and the optical film.

  Liquid crystal display devices are used in personal computers, TVs, monitors, mobile phones, PDAs and the like. Conventionally, as a polarizer used for a liquid crystal display device or the like, a dyed polyvinyl alcohol film has been used because it has both high transmittance and high degree of polarization. The polarizer is produced by subjecting a polyvinyl alcohol film to various treatments such as swelling, dyeing, cross-linking, and stretching in a bath, followed by washing treatment and drying. Moreover, the said polarizer is normally used as a polarizing plate by which protective films, such as a triacetyl cellulose, were bonded on the single side | surface or both surfaces using the adhesive agent.

  In recent years, liquid crystal display devices have been improved in performance, and liquid crystal panels have been required to improve contrast in order to obtain high visibility. That is, it is desired that black is black and white is whiter and brighter, and accordingly, further improvement in the polarization performance of the polarizer is required. Therefore, it is very important for the polarization performance to have a high transmittance while having a high degree of polarization.

  Many methods have been proposed so far to obtain such a polarizer. For example, as a method for producing a polarizer, after subjecting a polyvinyl alcohol film to various treatments such as swelling, dyeing, cross-linking, stretching, etc., after performing iodine ion treatment as a washing treatment, further subjecting it to an alcohol liquid immersion treatment It has been proposed (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, the moisture content can be reduced without heating the polarizer, and the drying process can be performed without impairing the optical characteristics of the polarizer.

  Further, the polarizer is required to be thin as the liquid crystal display device is thin, and the polarizer is required to be wide as the screen size is increased. However, since the polyvinyl alcohol film used for the polarizer has been subjected to stretching treatment, when moisture is removed by drying treatment, the film shrinks in the width direction, while in the thickness direction. The thickness tends to increase due to the shrinkage in the width direction, and the above requirement cannot be satisfied.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-270440

  An object of this invention is to provide the method of manufacturing a wide polarizer by controlling the shrinkage | contraction in a drying process.

  Moreover, this invention aims at providing the polarizer obtained by the said manufacturing method, the polarizing plate using the said polarizer, and an optical film. Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide the image display apparatus using the said polarizer, a polarizing plate, and an optical film.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that the object can be achieved by a method for producing a polarizer shown below, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides a method for producing a polarizer in which a polyvinyl alcohol film is subjected to a drying step after at least a dyeing step, a crosslinking step and a stretching step.
In the drying process,
The film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more subjected to the above steps,
The film is dried by contacting with a plurality of continuous heat rolls,
The present invention relates to a method for producing a polarizer, wherein the moisture content of the film is 20% by weight or less.

In the manufacturing method of the polarizer, it is preferable that the rotation speed of the downstream heat roll and the rotation speed of the upstream heat roll are different between at least one set of the plurality of continuous rolls. Moreover, the rotation speed of the downstream heat roll and the rotation speed of the upstream heat roll are the speed ratio represented by the following formula:
Speed ratio = (Rotational speed of downstream thermal roll / Rotational speed of upstream thermal roll) × 100 (%),
However, it is preferable to satisfy 95% or more and less than 100%, or more than 100% and 130% or less.

  As for the manufacturing method of the said polarizer, it is preferable that the temperature of a heat roll is 30-100 degreeC.

  Moreover, this invention relates to the polarizer obtained by the said manufacturing method.

  Moreover, this invention relates to the polarizing plate which provided the transparent protective film in the at least single side | surface of the said polarizer.

  The present invention also relates to an optical film in which at least one of the polarizer or the polarizing plate is laminated.

  The present invention also relates to an image display device using at least one of the polarizer, the polarizing plate or the optical film.

  In the manufacturing method of the polarizer of the present invention, a wide polarizer can be obtained by controlling the conditions of the drying process of the film obtained by subjecting the polyvinyl alcohol film to the dyeing process, the crosslinking process and the stretching process. . In the method for producing a polarizer, the film subjected to the above-described steps is usually obtained as a film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more. However, in order to use the film as a polarizer, the moisture content is usually 30. Dry to less than wt%. In particular, when a low moisture permeability material is used as the transparent protective film to be bonded to the polarizer, drying is performed so that the moisture content of the polarizer is a low moisture content of 20% by weight or less.

The inventors focused on the water diffusion coefficient D (cm ² / sec) in the film in the drying step, and the water diffusion coefficient D in the film is that the moisture content of the film is about 20% by weight. It was found to be substantially constant but rapidly decreased at 20% by weight or less. From this matter, if the film can be kept wide until the moisture content of the film reaches 20% by weight, even if the water diffusion coefficient D within the film is drastically decreased at a moisture content of 20% by weight or less, the film I thought that it could be secured widely.

  Therefore, in the present invention, drying is performed by bringing the film into contact with a plurality of hot rolls continuous with the film until the moisture content of the film reaches 20% by weight or less. Also in the drying step, by bringing a plurality of continuous rolls into contact with the film, it becomes easier to maintain the original width against the shrinkage of the film, and the film is dried by contacting with a hot roll. This makes it easier to maintain the original width of the film. In particular, by controlling the roll speed so that the rotation speed of the downstream heat roll and the rotation speed of the upstream heat roll are different between at least one set of continuous rolls among the plurality of rolls, the tension of the film is increased. As a result, the original width can be maintained against the shrinkage of the film. By drying by such a method, a wide polarizer (film) can be obtained while maintaining the original width.

  As the polyvinyl alcohol film applied to the polarizer of the present invention, a film having translucency in the visible light region and capable of dispersing and adsorbing dichroic substances such as iodine and dichroic dyes can be used without any particular limitation. . Usually, a polyvinyl alcohol film having a thickness of about 10 to 300 μm is used as a raw material. Preferably it is 20-100 micrometers. The width | variety of the polyvinyl alcohol-type film used as a raw fabric is about 100-5000 mm normally. Especially this invention is suitable when the width | variety of a film is wide, and is suitable in the case of 200-5000 mm, and also in the case of 400-5000 mm.

  As a polyvinyl alcohol-type film, the polyvinyl alcohol-type film conventionally used for the polarizer is used suitably, for example. Examples of the material for the polyvinyl alcohol film include polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives thereof. Derivatives of polyvinyl alcohol include polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl acetal and the like, olefins such as ethylene and propylene, unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and crotonic acid, alkyl esters thereof, acrylamide and the like. can give. The degree of polymerization of polyvinyl alcohol is preferably about 100 to 10,000, and more preferably 1,000 to 10,000. A saponification degree of about 80 to 100 mol% is generally used.

  In addition to the above, polyvinyl alcohol films include hydrophilic polymer films such as partially saponified ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, polyene-based oriented films such as dehydrated polyvinyl alcohol and dehydrochlorinated polyvinyl chloride. Etc.

  The polyvinyl alcohol film may contain additives such as a plasticizer and a surfactant. Examples of the plasticizer include polyols and condensates thereof, and examples thereof include glycerin, diglycerin, triglycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol. The amount of the plasticizer used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20% by weight or less in the polyvinyl alcohol film.

  In the present invention, the polyvinyl alcohol film is subjected to a dyeing process, a crosslinking process, and a stretching process.

  The dyeing step is performed by adsorbing and orienting iodine or a dichroic dye on the polyvinyl alcohol film. The dyeing process can be performed together with the stretching process. Dyeing is generally performed by immersing the film in a dyeing solution. As the staining solution, an iodine solution is generally used. As the iodine aqueous solution used as the iodine solution, an aqueous solution containing iodine ions with iodine and an iodide compound which is a dissolution aid is used. Examples of the iodide compound include potassium iodide, lithium iodide, sodium iodide, zinc iodide, aluminum iodide, lead iodide, copper iodide, barium iodide, calcium iodide, tin iodide, and titanium iodide. Etc. are used. As the iodide compound, potassium iodide is preferred. The iodide compound used in the present invention is the same as described above when used in other steps.

  The iodine concentration in the iodine solution is about 0.01 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.02 to 0.5% by weight. The iodide compound concentration is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 8% by weight. In iodine staining, the temperature of the iodine solution is usually about 20 to 50 ° C., preferably 25 to 40 ° C. The immersion time is usually about 10 to 300 seconds, preferably 20 to 240 seconds.

  The crosslinking step is usually performed using a boron compound as a crosslinking agent. The order of the crosslinking steps is not particularly limited. The crosslinking step can be performed together with the stretching step. The crosslinking step can be performed multiple times. Examples of the boron compound include boric acid and borax. The boron compound is generally used in the form of an aqueous solution or a water-organic solvent mixed solution. Usually, an aqueous boric acid solution is used. The boric acid concentration of the boric acid aqueous solution is about 2 to 15% by weight, preferably 3 to 13% by weight. In order to impart heat resistance depending on the degree of crosslinking, the boric acid concentration is preferably used. The boric acid aqueous solution or the like can contain an iodide compound such as potassium iodide. When the iodide compound is contained in the boric acid aqueous solution, the iodide compound concentration is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight.

  The crosslinking step can be performed by immersing the polyvinyl alcohol film in a boric acid aqueous solution or the like. In addition, a boron compound or the like can be applied to the polyvinyl alcohol film by a coating method, a spraying method, or the like. The processing temperature in a bridge | crosslinking process is 25 degreeC or more normally, Preferably it is 30-85 degreeC, Furthermore, it is the range of 30-60 degreeC. The treatment time is usually about 5 to 800 seconds, preferably about 8 to 500 seconds.

  The stretching step is usually performed by performing uniaxial stretching. This stretching method can be applied together with the dyeing process and the crosslinking process. As the stretching method, either a wet stretching method or a dry stretching method can be employed. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a wet stretching method. As the wet stretching method, for example, it is common to perform stretching after performing a dyeing process. Moreover, it can extend | stretch with a bridge | crosslinking process. On the other hand, in the case of dry stretching, examples of the stretching means include an inter-roll stretching method, a heated roll stretching method, and a compression stretching method. In the stretching means, the unstretched film is usually heated. The stretching process can be performed in multiple stages.

  An iodide compound can be contained in the treatment liquid used in the wet stretching method. When the treatment solution contains an iodide compound, the iodide compound concentration is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight. The treatment temperature in the wet stretching method is usually 25 ° C. or higher, preferably 30 to 85 ° C., more preferably 30 to 60 ° C. The immersion time is usually about 10 to 800 seconds, preferably about 30 to 500 seconds.

  In the stretching step, the total stretching ratio is set such that the total stretching ratio is in the range of 3 to 17 times the original length of the polyvinyl alcohol film. Preferably it is 4-10 times, More preferably, it is 4-8 times. That is, the total draw ratio refers to a cumulative draw ratio including stretching in those steps when stretching is involved in a swelling process described later other than the stretching process. The total draw ratio is appropriately determined in consideration of the draw ratio in the swelling process and the like. When the total draw ratio is low, the orientation is insufficient and it is difficult to obtain a polarizer having high optical properties (polarization degree). On the other hand, if the total draw ratio is too high, stretch breakage is likely to occur, and the polarizer becomes too thin, which may reduce the workability in the subsequent process.

  In the method for producing a polarizer of the present invention, at least the dyeing step, the crosslinking step, and the stretching step are performed, but a swelling step can be performed before the dyeing step. In addition to washing the surface of the polyvinyl alcohol film and the anti-blocking agent by the swelling step, there is also an effect of preventing unevenness such as uneven dyeing by swelling the polyvinyl alcohol film.

  As the treatment liquid used in the swelling process, water, distilled water, or pure water is usually used. If the main component is water, the treatment solution may contain a small amount of an iodide compound, an additive such as a surfactant, alcohol, or the like. Further, when an iodide compound is contained in the treatment liquid, the iodide compound concentration is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight.

  The treatment temperature in the swelling step is usually preferably adjusted to about 20 to 45 ° C. Furthermore, it is preferable that it is 25-40 degreeC. In addition, if there is swelling unevenness, the portion becomes uneven coloring in the dyeing process, so that swelling unevenness is not generated. The immersion time is usually about 10 to 300 seconds, preferably 20 to 240 seconds.

  In the swelling step, stretching can be appropriately performed. The draw ratio is usually 6.5 times or less with respect to the original length of the polyvinyl alcohol film. Preferably, from the viewpoint of optical properties, the draw ratio is preferably 1.2 to 6.5 times, more preferably 2 to 4 times, and even more preferably 2 to 3 times. By performing stretching in the swelling process, stretching in the stretching process performed after the swelling process can be controlled to be small, and the film can be controlled so as not to be stretched and broken. On the other hand, if the stretching ratio in the swelling process is increased, the stretching ratio in the stretching process becomes too small. In particular, when the stretching process is performed after the crosslinking process, it is not preferable in terms of optical properties.

  In the method for producing a polarizer of the present invention, at least the dyeing step, the crosslinking step, and the stretching step are performed. In addition to these steps, metal ion treatment can be performed. The metal ion treatment is performed by immersing a polyvinyl alcohol film in an aqueous solution containing a metal salt. Various metal ions can be contained in the polyvinyl alcohol film by the metal ion treatment.

  As metal ions, metal ions of transition metals such as cobalt, nickel, zinc, chromium, aluminum, copper, manganese, and iron are particularly preferably used in terms of color tone adjustment and durability. Among these metal ions, zinc ions are preferable from the viewpoints of color tone adjustment and heat resistance. Examples of the zinc salt include zinc halides such as zinc chloride and zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, and zinc acetate.

  A metal salt solution is used for the metal ion treatment. Hereinafter, zinc impregnation treatment will be described as a representative example of the case of using a zinc salt aqueous solution among metal ion treatments.

  The concentration of zinc ions in the zinc salt aqueous solution is about 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 7% by weight. The zinc salt solution is preferably an aqueous solution containing potassium ions and iodine ions with potassium iodide or the like because it is easy to impregnate zinc ions. The potassium iodide concentration in the zinc salt solution is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight.

  In the zinc impregnation treatment, the temperature of the zinc salt solution is usually about 15 to 85 ° C, preferably 25 to 70 ° C. The immersion time is usually about 1 to 120 seconds, preferably 3 to 90 seconds. In the zinc impregnation treatment, the zinc content in the polyvinyl alcohol film is adjusted to the above range by adjusting the conditions such as the concentration of the zinc salt solution, the immersion temperature of the polyvinyl alcohol film in the zinc salt solution, and the immersion time. adjust. The stage of the zinc impregnation treatment is not particularly limited. Further, it may be carried out simultaneously with the dyeing step, the crosslinking step and the stretching step by allowing a zinc salt to coexist in the dyeing bath, the crosslinking bath and the stretching bath.

  In the method for producing a polarizer of the present invention, as described above, the washing step can be performed after at least the dyeing step, the crosslinking step, and the stretching step.

  The washing step can be performed with a potassium iodide solution. The potassium iodide concentration in the potassium iodide solution is usually in the range of about 0.5 to 10% by weight, further 0.5 to 8% by weight, and further 1 to 6% by weight.

  In the washing step with the potassium iodide solution, the treatment temperature is usually about 15 to 60 ° C., preferably 25 to 40 ° C. The immersion time is usually about 1 to 120 seconds, preferably 3 to 90 seconds. The stage of the washing process with the potassium iodide solution is not particularly limited as long as it is before the drying process.

  Moreover, a water washing process can be given as a washing process. The water washing step is usually performed by immersing a polyvinyl alcohol film in pure water such as ion exchange water or distilled water. The water washing temperature is usually in the range of 5 to 50 ° C, preferably 10 to 45 ° C, more preferably 15 to 40 ° C. The immersion time is usually about 10 to 300 seconds, preferably about 20 to 240 seconds.

  The water washing step may be a combination of a washing step with a potassium iodide solution and a water washing step, and a solution appropriately mixed with a liquid alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, or propanol can also be used.

  After performing each said process, a drying process is finally given and a polarizer is manufactured. The polarizer subjected to the drying step has a moisture content of 40% by weight or more. The moisture content can be adjusted to 40% by weight or more by controlling the immersion time in the treatment bath (water bath) and the like in each of the above steps. The moisture content of the film subjected to the drying step is preferably 70% by weight or less from the viewpoint of drying efficiency. The moisture content is preferably 40 to 60% by weight, more preferably 40 to 50% by weight.

  In the drying step of the present invention, the film is dried by bringing the film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more into contact with a plurality of continuous hot rolls. Since the said process is normally performed in a series of continuous processes, the said drying process can also be performed as a continuous process following the said each process. The moisture content of the film subjected to the drying step (the resulting polarizer) is 20% by weight or less. The moisture content of the film is usually 7% by weight or more from the viewpoint of film strength and transportability. The moisture content is preferably 8 to 20% by weight, more preferably 9 to 15% by weight.

  In addition, the moisture content of the film of the present invention is a value measured as follows. That is, the film was cut into a size of 100 × 100 mm, and the initial weight of this sample was measured. Subsequently, this sample was dried at 120 ° C. for 2 hours, the dry weight was measured, and the moisture content was measured by the following formula. Moisture content (% by weight) = {(initial weight−dry weight) / initial weight} × 100. The weight is measured three times, and the average value is obtained.

  The drying process of the present invention is shown, for example, in FIG. In FIG. 1, heat rolls R1 to R6 are continuously provided. A guide roll G1 is provided in front of the upstream heating roll R1, and a guide roll G2 is provided in the downstream of the heating roll R6. In FIG. 1, six heating rolls are provided, but there is no particular limitation as long as there are a plurality of heating rolls. Usually, the number of heating rolls is preferably about 2 to 40, and more preferably 4 to 30. The number of heating rolls is preferably an even number so that both surfaces of the film can be evenly dried. The heating roll can be provided in a heating furnace such as an oven. In FIG. 1, continuously provided hot rolls R1 to R6 are installed in the oven A, and hot air is directed toward the surface of the film F passing through each heating roll on the inner wall (upper and lower) of the oven A. A plurality of hot air vents B can be provided. In FIG. 1, an upstream film F1 is a film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more subjected to the above steps, and the film F1 is dried by passing through heat rolls R1 to R6. The film F2 that has passed through the hot roll R6 has been subjected to a drying process so that the moisture content is 20% by weight or less.

  The plurality of heat rolls can be set so that the rotation speed of the downstream heat roll and the rotation speed of the upstream heat roll are different between at least one set of continuous rolls. Two continuous rolls installed so as to have different rotational speeds may be controlled at any location of the continuous rolls, but it is preferable to provide two continuous rolls having different rotational speeds on the upstream side. In FIG. 1, it is preferable to set so that the rotational speeds of the heat roll R1 and the heat roll R2 are different. When one set of two continuous rolls having different rotational speeds is provided, the rotational speed of the downstream thermal rolls in the two rolls and the rotational speed of the further downstream thermal rolls are set to be the same. The rotation speed of the upstream heat roll in the roll and the rotation speed of the further upstream heat roll are set to be the same. In FIG. 1, when setting so that the rotational speed of the thermal roll R1 and the thermal roll R2 is different, the rotational speed of the thermal roll R2 and the rotational speed of the thermal rolls R3 to R6 are set to be the same. The same setting is performed when two sets of two continuous rolls having different rotation speeds are provided.

Moreover, when setting so that the rotation speed of a downstream heat roll and the rotation speed of an upstream heat roll may differ between at least 1 set of continuous rolls of a some heat roll, it represents with a following formula. Speed ratio:
Speed ratio = (Rotational speed of downstream thermal roll / Rotational speed of upstream thermal roll) × 100 (%),
However, it is preferable to set it to be 95% or more and less than 100%, or more than 100% and 130% or less. When the speed ratio is within the above range, the shrinkage of the film width can be further suppressed. Since the film has already been stretched, the film can be conveyed without loosening even at a speed ratio of 95% or more and less than 100%. If it is less than 95%, the film to be conveyed is liable to be loosened, which causes a conveyance failure. The speed ratio when the rotation speed of the upstream heat roll is larger than the rotation speed of the downstream heat roll is preferably 96 to 99.9%, more preferably 98 to 99.8%. On the other hand, the speed ratio when the speed ratio is set to be more than 100% and 130% or less is 100.1 to 110%, further 100.1 to 105%, more preferably 100.2 to 103%. Is preferred. If the speed ratio exceeds 130%, the film may be broken, which is not preferable.

  The temperature of the hot roll is not particularly limited as long as the moisture content of the film can be controlled within the above range, but is usually 30 to 110 ° C, preferably 30 to 100 ° C, more preferably 35 to 80. It is 40 degreeC, More preferably, it is 40-70 degreeC. In addition, the temperature measurement of a hot roll is the value measured with the contact-type thermometer. Moreover, although the contact time (total contact time) of the film to the hot roll can be controlled by the hot roll diameter, the peripheral speed of the roll, etc., it is usually 20 to 120 seconds, preferably 25 to 90 seconds, more preferably. 30 to 40 seconds. The hot roll diameter is usually 200 to 2000 mm. In addition, it is preferable to set normally the rotational speed of a hot roll in the range of 10-100 m / min.

  As described above, the drying step of the present invention brings the film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more into contact with a plurality of continuous heat rolls, thereby reducing the moisture content of the film to 20% by weight or less. However, when the film is dried by the heat roll, a blowing means can be provided together with the heat roll. In FIG. 1, in the oven A, air is blown by the hot air vent B toward the surface of the film F that passes through the hot rolls R1 to R6. The wind speed of the blowing means is not particularly limited, but the wind speed is preferably 0.5 to 30 m / s, and more preferably 1 to 20 m / s. The blowing temperature is preferably adjusted in the same range as the temperature range of the hot roll. One place may be sufficient as an air blow means, and two or more places may be sufficient as it.

  As the blowing means, for example, a counter flow method can be adopted. The distance between the film and the blowing means is about 10 to 100 cm, preferably 10 to 50 cm. In addition, the said wind speed is a wind speed in a drying furnace, and can be measured with a minivan type digital anemometer.

  In the present invention, the moisture content of the resulting film is reduced to 20% by weight or less by applying the drying step, but the moisture content can be further reduced thereafter. In order to further reduce the moisture content, a drying step similar to that of the present invention can be performed, and drying can be performed by ordinary drying means (hot air drying, natural drying, air drying, heat drying, etc.).

  The obtained polarizer can be made into the polarizing plate which provided the transparent protective film in the at least single side | surface according to the conventional method. As a material constituting the transparent protective film, for example, a thermoplastic resin excellent in transparency, mechanical strength, thermal stability, moisture barrier property, isotropy and the like is used. Specific examples of such thermoplastic resins include cellulose resins such as triacetyl cellulose, polyester resins, polyethersulfone resins, polysulfone resins, polycarbonate resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, polyolefin resins, (meth) acrylic resins, cyclic Examples thereof include polyolefin resins (norbornene resins), polyarylate resins, polystyrene resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, and mixtures thereof. A transparent protective film is bonded to one side of the polarizer by an adhesive layer. On the other side, as a transparent protective film, (meth) acrylic, urethane-based, acrylurethane-based, epoxy-based, silicone A thermosetting resin such as a system or an ultraviolet curable resin can be used. One or more kinds of arbitrary appropriate additives may be contained in the transparent protective film. Examples of the additive include an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, a lubricant, a plasticizer, a mold release agent, an anti-coloring agent, a flame retardant, a nucleating agent, an antistatic agent, a pigment, and a coloring agent. The content of the thermoplastic resin in the transparent protective film is preferably 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably 50 to 99% by weight, still more preferably 60 to 98% by weight, and particularly preferably 70 to 97% by weight. . When content of the said thermoplastic resin in a transparent protective film is 50 weight% or less, there exists a possibility that the high transparency etc. which a thermoplastic resin originally has cannot fully be expressed.

  Moreover, as a transparent protective film, the polymer film as described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-343529 (WO01 / 37007), for example, (A) thermoplastic resin which has a substituted and / or unsubstituted imide group in a side chain, ( B) Resin compositions containing thermoplastic resins having substituted and / or unsubstituted phenyl and nitrile groups in the side chains. A specific example is a film of a resin composition containing an alternating copolymer composed of isobutylene and N-methylmaleimide and an acrylonitrile / styrene copolymer. As the film, a film made of a mixed extruded product of the resin composition or the like can be used. Since these films have a small phase difference and a small photoelastic coefficient, problems such as unevenness due to the distortion of the polarizing plate can be eliminated, and since the moisture permeability is small, the humidification durability is excellent.

  Although the thickness of a transparent protective film can be determined suitably, generally it is about 1-500 micrometers from points, such as workability | operativity, such as intensity | strength and handleability, and thin layer property. 1-300 micrometers is especially preferable, and 5-200 micrometers is more preferable. The transparent protective film is particularly suitable when the thickness is 5 to 150 μm.

  In addition, when providing a transparent protective film on both sides of a polarizer, the protective film which consists of the same polymer material may be used by the front and back, and the protective film which consists of a different polymer material etc. may be used.

  As the transparent protective film of the present invention, it is preferable to use at least one selected from cellulose resin, polycarbonate resin, cyclic polyolefin resin, and (meth) acrylic resin.

  Cellulose resin is an ester of cellulose and fatty acid. Specific examples of such cellulose ester resins include triacetyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, tripropionyl cellulose, dipropionyl cellulose and the like. Among these, triacetyl cellulose is particularly preferable. Many products of triacetylcellulose are commercially available, which is advantageous in terms of availability and cost. Examples of commercially available products of triacetyl cellulose include trade names “UV-50”, “UV-80”, “SH-80”, “TD-80U”, “TD-TAC”, and “UZ” manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation. -TAC "and" KC series "manufactured by Konica. In general, these triacetyl celluloses have an in-plane retardation (Re) of almost zero, but a thickness direction retardation (Rth) of about 60 nm.

  In addition, the cellulose resin film with a small thickness direction phase difference is obtained by processing the said cellulose resin, for example. For example, a base film such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and stainless steel coated with a solvent such as cyclopentanone and methyl ethyl ketone is bonded to a general cellulose film and dried by heating (for example, at 80 to 150 ° C. for about 3 to 10 minutes). ) And then peeling the base film; a solution obtained by dissolving norbornene resin, (meth) acrylic resin, etc. in a solvent such as cyclopentanone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc. is applied to a general cellulose resin film and dried by heating ( For example, a method of peeling the coated film after 80 to 150 ° C. for about 3 to 10 minutes is mentioned.

  Moreover, as a cellulose resin film with a small thickness direction retardation, the fatty acid cellulose resin film which controlled the fat substitution degree can be used. Generally used triacetyl cellulose has an acetic acid substitution degree of about 2.8. Preferably, the Rth can be reduced by controlling the acetic acid substitution degree to 1.8 to 2.7. Rth can be controlled to be small by adding a plasticizer such as dibutyl phthalate, p-toluenesulfonanilide, acetyltriethyl citrate to the fatty acid-substituted cellulose resin. The addition amount of the plasticizer is preferably 40 parts by weight or less, more preferably 1 to 20 parts by weight, and still more preferably 1 to 15 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the fatty acid cellulose resin.

  A specific example of the cyclic polyolefin resin is preferably a norbornene resin. The cyclic olefin-based resin is a general term for resins that are polymerized using a cyclic olefin as a polymerization unit, and is described in, for example, JP-A-1-240517, JP-A-3-14882, JP-A-3-122137, and the like. Resin. Specific examples include ring-opening (co) polymers of cyclic olefins, addition polymers of cyclic olefins, cyclic olefins and α-olefins such as ethylene and propylene (typically random copolymers), And graft polymers obtained by modifying them with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, and hydrides thereof. Specific examples of the cyclic olefin include norbornene monomers.

  Various products are commercially available as the cyclic polyolefin resin. As specific examples, trade names “ZEONEX” and “ZEONOR” manufactured by ZEON CORPORATION, product names “ARTON” manufactured by JSR Corporation, “TOPAS” manufactured by TICONA, and product names manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. “APEL”.

  The (meth) acrylic resin preferably has a Tg (glass transition temperature) of 115 ° C. or higher, more preferably 120 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 125 ° C. or higher, and particularly preferably 130 ° C. or higher. When Tg is 115 ° C. or higher, the polarizing plate can be excellent in durability. Although the upper limit of Tg of the (meth) acrylic resin is not particularly limited, it is preferably 170 ° C. or lower from the viewpoint of moldability and the like. From (meth) acrylic resin, a film having in-plane retardation (Re) and thickness direction retardation (Rth) of almost zero can be obtained.

  As the (meth) acrylic resin, any appropriate (meth) acrylic resin can be adopted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. For example, poly (meth) acrylic acid ester such as polymethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, methyl methacrylate- (meth) acrylic acid ester copolymer, methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid ester- (Meth) acrylic acid copolymer, (meth) methyl acrylate-styrene copolymer (MS resin, etc.), polymer having an alicyclic hydrocarbon group (for example, methyl methacrylate-cyclohexyl methacrylate copolymer, Methyl methacrylate- (meth) acrylate norbornyl copolymer, etc.). Preferably, poly (meth) acrylate C1-6 alkyl such as poly (meth) acrylate methyl is used. More preferred is a methyl methacrylate resin containing methyl methacrylate as a main component (50 to 100% by weight, preferably 70 to 100% by weight).

  Specific examples of (meth) acrylic resins include (meth) acrylic resins having a ring structure in the molecule described in, for example, Acrypet VH and Acrypet VRL20A manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., and JP-A-2004-70296. And a high Tg (meth) acrylic resin system obtained by intramolecular crosslinking or intramolecular cyclization reaction.

  As the (meth) acrylic resin, a (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure can also be used. It is because it has high mechanical strength by high heat resistance, high transparency, and biaxial stretching.

  Examples of the (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure include JP 2000-230016, JP 2001-151814, JP 2002-120326, JP 2002-254544, and JP 2005. Examples thereof include (meth) acrylic resins having a lactone ring structure described in Japanese Patent No. 146084.

  The (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure preferably has a ring pseudo structure represented by the following general formula (Formula 1).

^Wherein, R 1, ^{R 2} and ^{R 3} each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an organic residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The organic residue may contain an oxygen atom.

  The content ratio of the lactone ring structure represented by the general formula (Formula 1) in the structure of the (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure is preferably 5 to 90% by weight, more preferably 10 to 70% by weight, More preferably, it is 10 to 60% by weight, and particularly preferably 10 to 50% by weight. When the content of the lactone ring structure represented by the general formula (Chemical Formula 1) in the structure of the (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure is less than 5% by weight, the heat resistance, solvent resistance, and surface hardness are low. May be insufficient. If the content of the lactone ring structure represented by the general formula (Chemical Formula 1) in the structure of the (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure is more than 90% by weight, molding processability may be poor.

  The (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure has a mass average molecular weight (sometimes referred to as a weight average molecular weight) of preferably 1,000 to 2,000,000, more preferably 5,000 to 1,000,000, still more preferably 10,000 to 500,000, and particularly preferably. Is 50,000 to 500,000. If the mass average molecular weight is out of the above range, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of moldability.

  The (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure preferably has a Tg of 115 ° C. or higher, more preferably 120 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 125 ° C. or higher, and particularly preferably 130 ° C. or higher. Since Tg is 115 ° C. or higher, for example, when it is incorporated in a polarizing plate as a transparent protective film, it has excellent durability. Although the upper limit of Tg of the (meth) acrylic resin having the lactone ring structure is not particularly limited, it is preferably 170 ° C. or less from the viewpoint of moldability and the like.

  The (meth) acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure is preferably as the total light transmittance of a molded product obtained by injection molding measured by a method according to ASTM-D-1003 is higher, preferably 85. % Or more, more preferably 88% or more, and still more preferably 90% or more. The total light transmittance is a measure of transparency. If the total light transmittance is less than 85%, the transparency may be lowered.

  As the transparent protective film, one having a front phase difference of less than 40 nm and a thickness direction retardation of less than 80 nm is usually used. The front phase difference Re is represented by Re = (nx−ny) × d. The thickness direction retardation Rth is represented by Rth = (nx−nz) × d. The Nz coefficient is represented by Nz = (nx−nz) / (nx−ny). [However, the refractive indexes in the slow axis direction, the fast axis direction, and the thickness direction of the film are nx, ny, and nz, respectively, and d (nm) is the thickness of the film. The slow axis direction is the direction that maximizes the refractive index in the film plane. ]. In addition, it is preferable that a transparent protective film has as little color as possible. A protective film having a thickness direction retardation value of −90 nm to +75 nm is preferably used. By using a film having a thickness direction retardation value (Rth) of −90 nm to +75 nm, the coloring (optical coloring) of the polarizing plate caused by the transparent protective film can be almost eliminated. The thickness direction retardation value (Rth) is more preferably −80 nm to +60 nm, and particularly preferably −70 nm to +45 nm.

  On the other hand, as the transparent protective film, a phase difference plate having a phase difference with a front phase difference of 40 nm or more and / or a thickness direction retardation of 80 nm or more can be used. The front phase difference is usually controlled in the range of 40 to 200 nm, and the thickness direction phase difference is usually controlled in the range of 80 to 300 nm. When a retardation plate is used as the transparent protective film, the retardation plate functions also as a transparent protective film, so that the thickness can be reduced.

  Examples of the retardation plate include a birefringent film obtained by uniaxially or biaxially stretching a polymer material, a liquid crystal polymer alignment film, and a liquid crystal polymer alignment layer supported by a film. The thickness of the retardation plate is not particularly limited, but is generally about 20 to 150 μm.

  Examples of the polymer material include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polymethyl vinyl ether, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyether sulfone, Polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene oxide, polyallylsulfone, polyamide, polyimide, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose resin, cyclic polyolefin resin (norbornene resin), or any of these binary, ternary copolymers, graft copolymers Examples thereof include polymers and blends. These polymer materials become an oriented product (stretched film) by stretching or the like.

  Examples of the liquid crystal polymer include various main chain types and side chain types in which a conjugated linear atomic group (mesogen) imparting liquid crystal alignment is introduced into the main chain or side chain of the polymer. . Specific examples of the main chain type liquid crystal polymer include a nematic alignment polyester liquid crystal polymer, a discotic polymer, and a cholesteric polymer having a structure in which a mesogen group is bonded at a spacer portion that imparts flexibility. Specific examples of the side chain type liquid crystal polymer include polysiloxane, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, or polymalonate as a main chain skeleton, and a nematic alignment-providing para-substitution through a spacer portion composed of a conjugated atomic group as a side chain. Examples thereof include those having a mesogenic part composed of a cyclic compound unit. These liquid crystal polymers can be prepared by, for example, applying a solution of a liquid crystalline polymer on an alignment surface such as a surface of a thin film such as polyimide or polyvinyl alcohol formed on a glass plate, or an oblique deposition of silicon oxide. This is done by developing and heat treatment.

  The retardation plate may have an appropriate retardation according to the purpose of use, such as those for the purpose of compensating for various wavelength plates or birefringence of liquid crystal layers and compensation of viewing angle, etc. It may be one in which retardation plates are stacked and optical characteristics such as retardation are controlled.

  The retardation plate has a relationship of nx = ny> nz, nx> ny> nz, nx> ny = nz, nx> nz> ny, nz = nx> ny, nz> nx> ny, nz> nx = ny. What is satisfactory is selected and used according to various applications. Note that ny = nz includes not only the case where ny and nz are completely the same, but also the case where ny and nz are substantially the same.

  For example, in a phase difference plate that satisfies nx> ny> nz, a surface plate having a front phase difference of 40 to 100 nm, a thickness direction phase difference of 100 to 320 nm, and an Nz coefficient of 1.8 to 4.5 is used. Is preferred. For example, in a retardation plate (positive A plate) that satisfies nx> ny = nz, it is preferable to use a retardation plate that satisfies a front phase difference of 100 to 200 nm. For example, for a retardation plate (negative A plate) that satisfies nz = nx> ny, it is preferable to use a retardation plate that satisfies a front phase difference of 100 to 200 nm. For example, in a retardation plate satisfying nx> nz> ny, it is preferable to use a retardation plate having a front phase difference of 150 to 300 nm and an Nz coefficient exceeding 0 to 0.7. As described above, for example, a material satisfying nx = ny> nz, nz> nx> ny, or nz> nx = ny can be used.

  The transparent protective film can be appropriately selected according to the applied liquid crystal display device. For example, in the case of VA (including Vertical Alignment, MVA, and PVA), it is desirable that at least one of the polarizing plates (cell side) has a retardation. As specific phase differences, it is desirable that Re = 0 to 240 nm and Rth = 0 to 500 nm. In terms of the three-dimensional refractive index, nx> ny = nz, nx> ny> nz, nx> nz> ny, nx = ny> nz (positive A plate, biaxial, negative C plate) are desirable. In the VA type, it is preferable to use a combination of a positive A plate and a negative C plate, or one biaxial film. When polarizing plates are used above and below the liquid crystal cell, both the upper and lower sides of the liquid crystal cell may have a phase difference, or any one of the upper and lower transparent protective films may have a phase difference.

  For example, in the case of IPS (including In-Plane Switching, FFS), both cases where the transparent protective film on one side of the polarizing plate has a phase difference or not can be used. For example, when there is no phase difference, it is desirable that the liquid crystal cell does not have a phase difference both above and below (cell side). In the case where the liquid crystal cell has a phase difference, it is desirable that the liquid crystal cell has a phase difference in the upper and lower sides, or the upper and lower sides have a phase difference (for example, nx> nz> ny on the upper side). Biaxial film satisfying the relationship, when there is no retardation on the lower side, positive A plate on the upper side, and positive C plate on the lower side). When it has a phase difference, it is desirable that Re = −500 to 500 nm and Rth = −500 to 500 nm. In terms of the three-dimensional refractive index, nx> ny = nz, nx> nz> ny, nz> nx = ny, nz> nx> ny (positive A plate, biaxial, positive C plate) are desirable.

  In addition, the film which has the said phase difference can be separately bonded to the transparent protective film which does not have a phase difference, and the said function can be provided.

  The transparent protective film may be subjected to a surface modification treatment before coating with an adhesive. Specific examples of the treatment include corona treatment, plasma treatment, primer treatment, and saponification treatment.

  The surface of the transparent protective film to which the polarizer is not adhered may be subjected to a hard coat layer, an antireflection treatment, an antisticking treatment, or a treatment for diffusion or antiglare.

  The hard coat treatment is applied for the purpose of preventing scratches on the surface of the polarizing plate. For example, a transparent protective film with a cured film excellent in hardness, sliding properties, etc. by an appropriate ultraviolet curable resin such as acrylic or silicone is used. It can be formed by a method of adding to the surface of the film. The antireflection treatment is performed for the purpose of preventing reflection of external light on the surface of the polarizing plate, and can be achieved by forming an antireflection film or the like according to the conventional art. In addition, the sticking prevention treatment is performed for the purpose of preventing adhesion with an adjacent layer (for example, a backlight-side diffusion plate).

  The anti-glare treatment is applied for the purpose of preventing the outside light from being reflected on the surface of the polarizing plate and obstructing the visibility of the light transmitted through the polarizing plate. For example, the surface is roughened by a sandblasting method or an embossing method. It can be formed by imparting a fine concavo-convex structure to the surface of the transparent protective film by an appropriate method such as a blending method of transparent fine particles. Examples of the fine particles to be included in the formation of the surface fine concavo-convex structure include conductive materials made of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, indium oxide, cadmium oxide, antimony oxide, and the like having an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 20 μm. In some cases, transparent fine particles such as inorganic fine particles, organic fine particles composed of a crosslinked or uncrosslinked polymer, and the like are used. When forming the surface fine uneven structure, the amount of fine particles used is generally about 2 to 70 parts by weight, preferably 5 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the transparent resin forming the surface fine uneven structure. The antiglare layer may also serve as a diffusion layer (viewing angle expanding function or the like) for diffusing the light transmitted through the polarizing plate to expand the viewing angle.

  The antireflection layer, antisticking layer, diffusion layer, antiglare layer, and the like can be provided on the transparent protective film itself, or can be provided separately from the transparent protective film as an optical layer.

  An adhesive is used for the adhesion treatment between the polarizer and the transparent protective film. Examples of the adhesive include isocyanate adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, gelatin adhesives, vinyl latexes, and water-based polyesters. The said adhesive agent is normally used as an adhesive agent which consists of aqueous solution, and contains 0.5 to 60 weight% of solid content normally. In addition to the above, examples of the adhesive between the polarizer and the transparent protective film include an ultraviolet curable adhesive and an electron beam curable adhesive. The electron beam curable polarizing plate adhesive exhibits suitable adhesion to the various transparent protective films. In particular, it exhibits good adhesion even with respect to acrylic resins for which it was difficult to satisfy the adhesion.

  The polarizing plate of the present invention is produced by bonding the transparent protective film and the polarizer using the adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to either the transparent protective film or the polarizer, or to both. After the bonding, a drying process is performed to form an adhesive layer composed of a coating dry layer. Bonding of a polarizer and a transparent protective film can be performed with a roll laminator or the like. The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is usually about 30 to 1000 nm.

  The polarizing plate of the present invention can be used as an optical film laminated with another optical layer in practical use. The optical layer is not particularly limited. For example, for forming a liquid crystal display device such as a reflection plate, a semi-transmission plate, a retardation plate (including wavelength plates such as 1/2 and 1/4), and a viewing angle compensation film. One or more optical layers that may be used can be used. In particular, a reflective polarizing plate or a semi-transmissive polarizing plate in which a polarizing plate or a semi-transmissive reflecting plate is further laminated on the polarizing plate of the present invention, an elliptical polarizing plate or a circularly polarizing plate in which a retardation plate is further laminated on the polarizing plate. A wide viewing angle polarizing plate obtained by further laminating a viewing angle compensation film on a plate or a polarizing plate, or a polarizing plate obtained by further laminating a brightness enhancement film on the polarizing plate is preferable.

  A reflective polarizing plate is a polarizing plate provided with a reflective layer, and is used to form a liquid crystal display device or the like that reflects incident light from the viewing side (display side). Such a light source can be omitted, and the liquid crystal display device can be easily thinned. The reflective polarizing plate can be formed by an appropriate method such as a method in which a reflective layer made of metal or the like is attached to one side of the polarizing plate via a transparent protective film or the like, if necessary.

  The semi-transmissive polarizing plate can be obtained by using a semi-transmissive reflective layer such as a half mirror that reflects and transmits light with the reflective layer. A transflective polarizing plate is usually provided on the back side of a liquid crystal cell, and displays an image by reflecting incident light from the viewing side (display side) when a liquid crystal display device is used in a relatively bright atmosphere. In a relatively dark atmosphere, a liquid crystal display device or the like that displays an image using a built-in light source such as a backlight built in the back side of the transflective polarizing plate can be formed.

  An elliptically polarizing plate or a circularly polarizing plate in which a retardation plate is further laminated on a polarizing plate will be described. A phase difference plate or the like is used when changing linearly polarized light to elliptically polarized light or circularly polarized light, changing elliptically polarized light or circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light, or changing the polarization direction of linearly polarized light. In particular, a so-called quarter-wave plate (also referred to as a λ / 4 plate) is used as a retardation plate that changes linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light or changes circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light. A half-wave plate (also referred to as a λ / 2 plate) is usually used when changing the polarization direction of linearly polarized light.

  The elliptically polarizing plate is effectively used for black and white display without the above color by compensating (preventing) the coloration (blue or yellow) generated by the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer of the super twist nematic (STN) type liquid crystal display device. It is done. Further, the one in which the three-dimensional refractive index is controlled is preferable because it can compensate (prevent) coloring that occurs when the screen of the liquid crystal display device is viewed from an oblique direction. The circularly polarizing plate is effectively used, for example, when adjusting the color tone of an image of a reflective liquid crystal display device in which an image is displayed in color, and also has an antireflection function. Specific examples of the retardation plate include a birefringent film obtained by stretching a film made of an appropriate polymer such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene, other polyolefins, polyarylate, and polyamide. And an alignment film of a liquid crystal polymer, and a liquid crystal polymer alignment layer supported by a film. The retardation plate may have an appropriate retardation according to the purpose of use, such as those for the purpose of compensating for various wavelength plates or birefringence of the liquid crystal layer, viewing angle, and the like. What laminated | stacked the phase difference plate and controlled optical characteristics, such as phase difference, etc. may be used.

  The elliptical polarizing plate and the reflective elliptical polarizing plate are obtained by laminating a polarizing plate or a reflective polarizing plate and a retardation plate in an appropriate combination. Such an elliptically polarizing plate or the like can also be formed by sequentially laminating them sequentially in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device so as to be a combination of a (reflection type) polarizing plate and a retardation plate. An optical film such as a polarizing plate has an advantage that it can improve the production efficiency of a liquid crystal display device and the like because of excellent quality stability and lamination workability.

  The viewing angle compensation film is a film for widening the viewing angle so that an image can be seen relatively clearly even when the screen of the liquid crystal display device is viewed from a slightly oblique direction rather than perpendicular to the screen. As such a viewing angle compensation phase difference plate, for example, a retardation film, an alignment film such as a liquid crystal polymer, or an alignment layer such as a liquid crystal polymer supported on a transparent substrate is used. A normal retardation plate uses a birefringent polymer film uniaxially stretched in the plane direction, whereas a retardation plate used as a viewing angle compensation film stretches biaxially in the plane direction. Birefringent polymer film, biaxially stretched film such as polymer with birefringence with a controlled refractive index in the thickness direction that is uniaxially stretched in the plane direction and stretched in the thickness direction, etc. Used. Examples of the inclined alignment film include a film obtained by bonding a heat shrink film to a polymer film and stretching or / and shrinking the polymer film under the action of the contraction force by heating, and a film obtained by obliquely aligning a liquid crystal polymer. Can be mentioned. The raw material polymer for the phase difference plate is the same as the polymer described in the previous phase difference plate, preventing coloration due to a change in the viewing angle based on the phase difference by the liquid crystal cell and expanding the viewing angle for good visual recognition. An appropriate one for the purpose can be used.

  Also, from the viewpoint of achieving a wide viewing angle with good visibility, an optically compensated phase difference in which a liquid crystal polymer alignment layer, in particular an optically anisotropic layer composed of a discotic liquid crystal polymer gradient alignment layer, is supported by a triacetylcellulose film. A plate can be preferably used.

  A polarizing plate obtained by bonding a polarizing plate and a brightness enhancement film is usually provided on the back side of a liquid crystal cell. The brightness enhancement film reflects a linearly polarized light with a predetermined polarization axis or a circularly polarized light in a predetermined direction when natural light is incident due to a backlight such as a liquid crystal display device or reflection from the back side, and transmits other light. In addition, a polarizing plate in which a brightness enhancement film is laminated with a polarizing plate allows light from a light source such as a backlight to enter to obtain transmitted light in a predetermined polarization state, and reflects light without transmitting the light other than the predetermined polarization state. The The light reflected on the surface of the brightness enhancement film is further inverted through a reflective layer or the like provided behind the brightness enhancement film and re-incident on the brightness enhancement film, and part or all of the light is transmitted as light having a predetermined polarization state. Luminance can be improved by increasing the amount of light transmitted through the enhancement film and increasing the amount of light that can be used for liquid crystal display image display or the like by supplying polarized light that is difficult to be absorbed by the polarizer.

  The brightness enhancement film has a characteristic of transmitting linearly polarized light having a predetermined polarization axis and reflecting other light, such as a multilayer thin film of dielectric material or a multilayer laminate of thin film films having different refractive index anisotropies. Such as an alignment film of a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer or an alignment liquid crystal layer supported on a film substrate, which reflects either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light and transmits other light. Appropriate things such as a thing can be used.

  Further, the polarizing plate may be formed by laminating a polarizing plate and two or three or more optical layers like the above-described polarization separation type polarizing plate. Therefore, a reflective elliptical polarizing plate or a semi-transmissive elliptical polarizing plate in which the above-mentioned reflective polarizing plate or transflective polarizing plate and a retardation plate are combined may be used.

  An optical film in which the optical layer is laminated on a polarizing plate can be formed by a method of sequentially laminating separately in the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display device or the like. There is an advantage that the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display device or the like can be improved because of excellent stability and assembly work. For the lamination, an appropriate adhesive means such as an adhesive layer can be used. When adhering the polarizing plate and other optical films, their optical axes can be set at an appropriate arrangement angle in accordance with the target retardation characteristics.

  An adhesive layer for adhering to other members such as a liquid crystal cell may be provided on the polarizing plate described above or an optical film in which at least one polarizing plate is laminated. The pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is not particularly limited. For example, an acrylic polymer, silicone-based polymer, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyether, fluorine-based or rubber-based polymer is appropriately selected. Can be used. In particular, those having excellent optical transparency such as an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, exhibiting appropriate wettability, cohesiveness, and adhesive pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, and being excellent in weather resistance, heat resistance and the like can be preferably used.

  In addition to the above, in terms of prevention of foaming and peeling phenomena due to moisture absorption, deterioration of optical properties and liquid crystal cell warpage due to differences in thermal expansion, etc., as well as formability of liquid crystal display devices with high quality and excellent durability An adhesive layer having a low moisture absorption rate and excellent heat resistance is preferred.

  The adhesive layer is, for example, natural or synthetic resins, in particular, tackifier resins, fillers or pigments made of glass fibers, glass beads, metal powders, other inorganic powders, colorants, antioxidants, etc. It may contain an additive to be added to the adhesive layer. Moreover, the adhesion layer etc. which contain microparticles | fine-particles and show light diffusibility may be sufficient.

  Attachment of the adhesive layer to one or both sides of the polarizing plate or the optical film can be performed by an appropriate method. For example, a pressure sensitive adhesive solution of about 10 to 40% by weight in which a base polymer or a composition thereof is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent composed of a suitable solvent alone or a mixture such as toluene and ethyl acetate is prepared. A method in which it is directly attached on a polarizing plate or an optical film by an appropriate development method such as a casting method or a coating method, or an adhesive layer is formed on a separator according to the above, and this is applied to a polarizing plate or an optical film. The method of moving up is mentioned.

  The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be provided on one side or both sides of a polarizing plate or an optical film as a superimposed layer of different compositions or types. Moreover, when providing in both surfaces, it can also be set as the adhesion layers of a different composition, a kind, thickness, etc. in the front and back of a polarizing plate or an optical film. The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be appropriately determined according to the purpose of use and adhesive force, and is generally 1 to 500 μm, preferably 5 to 200 μm, particularly preferably 10 to 100 μm.

  On the exposed surface of the adhesive layer, a separator is temporarily attached and covered for the purpose of preventing contamination until it is put to practical use. Thereby, it can prevent contacting an adhesion layer in the usual handling state. As the separator, except for the above thickness conditions, for example, a suitable thin leaf body such as a plastic film, rubber sheet, paper, cloth, non-woven fabric, net, foam sheet, metal foil, laminate thereof, and the like, silicone type or Appropriate conventional ones such as those coated with an appropriate release agent such as long-chain alkyl, fluorine-based, or molybdenum sulfide can be used.

  In the present invention, the polarizer, the transparent protective film, the optical film, and the like that form the polarizing plate described above, and each layer such as an adhesive layer include, for example, a salicylic acid ester compound, a benzophenol compound, a benzotriazole compound, and a cyanoacrylate. It may be a compound having an ultraviolet absorbing ability by a method such as a method of treating with an ultraviolet absorber such as a compound based on nickel or a nickel complex salt compound.

  The polarizing plate or the optical film of the present invention can be preferably used for forming various devices such as a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device can be formed according to the conventional method. That is, a liquid crystal display device is generally formed by appropriately assembling components such as a liquid crystal cell, a polarizing plate or an optical film, and an illumination system as necessary, and incorporating a drive circuit. There is no limitation in particular except the point which uses the polarizing plate or optical film by invention, and it can apply according to the former. As the liquid crystal cell, any type such as a TN type, an STN type, or a π type can be used.

  An appropriate liquid crystal display device such as a liquid crystal display device in which a polarizing plate or an optical film is disposed on one side or both sides of a liquid crystal cell, or a backlight or a reflector used in an illumination system can be formed. In that case, the polarizing plate or optical film by this invention can be installed in the one side or both sides of a liquid crystal cell. When providing a polarizing plate or an optical film on both sides, they may be the same or different. Further, when forming a liquid crystal display device, for example, a single layer or a suitable part such as a diffusing plate, an antiglare layer, an antireflection film, a protective plate, a prism array, a lens array sheet, a light diffusing plate, a backlight, etc. Two or more layers can be arranged.

  Next, an organic electroluminescence device (organic EL display device) will be described. Generally, in an organic EL display device, a transparent electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a metal electrode are sequentially laminated on a transparent substrate to form a light emitter (organic electroluminescent light emitter). Here, the organic light emitting layer is a laminate of various organic thin films, for example, a laminate of a hole injection layer made of a triphenylamine derivative and the like and a light emitting layer made of a fluorescent organic solid such as anthracene, Alternatively, a structure having various combinations such as a laminate of such a light emitting layer and an electron injection layer composed of a perylene derivative or the like, or a laminate of these hole injection layer, light emitting layer, and electron injection layer is known. It has been.

  In an organic EL display device comprising an organic electroluminescent light emitting device comprising a transparent electrode on the surface side of an organic light emitting layer that emits light upon application of a voltage and a metal electrode on the back side of the organic light emitting layer, the surface of the transparent electrode While providing a polarizing plate on the side, a retardation plate can be provided between the transparent electrode and the polarizing plate.

  Since the retardation plate and the polarizing plate have a function of polarizing light incident from the outside and reflected by the metal electrode, there is an effect that the mirror surface of the metal electrode is not visually recognized by the polarization action. In particular, the mirror surface of the metal electrode can be completely shielded by configuring the retardation plate with a quarter-wave plate and adjusting the angle formed by the polarization direction of the polarizing plate and the retardation plate to π / 4. .

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples, Comparative Examples and Reference Examples.

Example 1
A polyvinyl alcohol film (average polymerization degree 2400, saponification degree 99.9 mol%) having a thickness of 75 μm and a width of 400 mm was used as the raw film. The following steps were performed on the polyvinyl alcohol film in the following order.

(Swelling process)
Pure water was used as a treatment solution for the swelling bath. The polyvinyl alcohol film was conveyed to a swelling bath and immersed in pure water adjusted to 30 ° C. for 1 minute to swell.

(Dyeing process)
As a treatment solution for the dyeing bath, an iodine dyeing solution having a concentration of 3.2% by weight of iodine: potassium iodide (weight ratio = 1: 7) was used. The polyvinyl alcohol film subjected to the swelling treatment was conveyed to a dyeing bath and immersed in the iodine dyeing solution adjusted to 30 ° C. for 30 seconds, while being uniaxially stretched to a draw ratio of 3.4 times with respect to the original length, Stained.

(Crosslinking process)
As a treatment solution for the crosslinking bath, a boric acid aqueous solution containing 3% by weight of boric acid and 3% by weight of potassium iodide was used. The treated polyvinyl alcohol film was conveyed to a crosslinking bath and uniaxially stretched up to a total stretch ratio of 3.6 times the original length while being immersed in the boric acid aqueous solution adjusted to 30 ° C. for 10 seconds.

(Stretching process)
A boric acid aqueous solution containing 4% by weight of boric acid and 5% by weight of potassium iodide was used as a treatment solution for the stretching bath. The treated polyvinyl alcohol film was transported to a stretching bath and uniaxially stretched up to a total stretching ratio of 6 times the original length while being immersed in a boric acid aqueous solution adjusted to 60 ° C. for 60 seconds.

(Washing process)
An aqueous solution containing 3% by weight of potassium iodide was used as the treatment solution for the washing bath. The treated polyvinyl alcohol film was conveyed to a washing bath and immersed in the aqueous solution adjusted to 30 ° C. for 10 seconds. The moisture content of the film obtained after the washing step was 41.6% by weight. Moreover, the said film was 229 mm in width.

(Drying process)
Next, the treated polyvinyl alcohol film was dried using an apparatus (oven) as shown in FIG. Six hot rolls (roll diameter 500 mm, temperature 70 ° C.) are alternately arranged up and down as shown in FIG. 1, and the peripheral speed of the first hot roll (R1 in FIG. 1) from the upstream side is 15 m / min. The peripheral speed of the other five heat rolls (R2 to R6 in FIG. 1) was set to 14.925 m / min. At this time, the contact time between the film and the hot roll was 28.2 seconds in total. Moreover, it carried out as air blowing means, blowing air at a temperature of 70 ° C. and a wind speed of 15 m / s. The moisture content of the film (polarizer) obtained by the above drying was 11.7% by weight. The film was 195 mm wide.

Example 2
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed of the other five heat rolls in the drying step was changed to 13.5 m / min.

Example 3
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed of the other five hot rolls in the drying step was changed to 15.75 m / min.

Example 4
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed of the other five hot rolls in the drying step was changed to 19.5 m / min.

Example 5
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot roll temperature and the blowing temperature in the drying step were changed to 35 ° C.

Example 6
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot roll temperature and the blowing temperature in the drying step were changed to 95 ° C.

Example 7
In Example 1, a polarizer was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot roll temperature and the blowing temperature in the drying step were changed to 105 ° C.

Comparative Example 1
In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 2, except that the drying process was performed by the same oven apparatus (room temperature 70 ° C.) as in FIG. A polarizer was obtained in the same manner.

Reference example 1
In Example 1, a polarizer is produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed of the other five hot rolls in the drying process is changed to 12.75 m / min (roll speed ratio: 85%). However, the film to be conveyed was loosened and wrinkled.

Reference example 2
In Example 1, a polarizer is produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed of the other five hot rolls in the drying process is changed to 22.5 m / min (roll speed ratio: 150%). However, the film broke along the way.

  Table 1 shows the conditions of the drying process, the film width of the obtained polarizer, and the residual ratio in Examples and Comparative Examples.

  Moreover, the single-piece | unit transmittance | permeability, orthogonal transmittance | permeability, and the polarization degree were measured with the following method as an optical characteristic of the polarizer obtained by the Example and the comparative example.

(Measurement method of optical characteristics)
The optical properties of the polarizer were measured using a spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere (V7100 manufactured by JASCO Corporation).
Note that the degree of polarization is such that two identical polarizers are superposed so that their transmission axes are parallel (transparency: Tp) and superposed so that their transmission axes are orthogonal to each other. In this case, the transmittance (orthogonal transmittance: Tc) is determined by applying the transmittance to the following equation.
Polarization degree (%) = {(Tp−Tc) / (Tp + Tc)} ^1/2 × 100
Each transmittance is represented by a Y value obtained by correcting visibility with a two-degree field of view (C light source) of JIS Z8701, with 100% of the completely polarized light obtained through the Granteller prism polarizer. The measurement wavelength was 550 nm.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the drying process in the manufacturing method of the polarizer of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the drying process used by the comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

F film R1-6 Heat roll A Oven B Hot air outlet

Claims (8)

In the manufacturing method of the polarizer which gives a drying process after giving at least a dyeing process, a bridge construction process, and an extending process to a polyvinyl alcohol film,
In the drying process,
The film having a moisture content of 40% by weight or more subjected to the above steps,
The film is dried by contacting with a plurality of continuous heat rolls,
A method for producing a polarizer, wherein the moisture content of the film is 20% by weight or less.   2. The method of manufacturing a polarizer according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the downstream-side heat roll and the rotation speed of the upstream-side heat roll are different between at least one set of successive rolls of the plurality of heat rolls. . Speed ratio represented by the following formula:
Speed ratio = (Rotational speed of downstream thermal roll / Rotational speed of upstream thermal roll) × 100 (%),
The method for producing a polarizer according to claim 2, wherein the ratio is 95% or more and less than 100%, or more than 100% and 130% or less.   The temperature of a heat roll is 30-100 degreeC, The manufacturing method of the polarizer in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The polarizer obtained by the manufacturing method in any one of Claims 1-4.   A polarizing plate provided with a transparent protective film on at least one surface of the polarizer according to claim 5.   An optical film, wherein at least one of the polarizer according to claim 5 or the polarizing plate according to claim 6 is laminated. An image display device using at least one polarizer according to claim 5, a polarizing plate according to claim 6, or an optical film according to claim 7.