MXPA00001699A - System of cladding in the form of islands hardened by radiac - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing a surface roughness of a polycrystalline or single crystal thin film produced by the sequential lateral solidification process are disclosed. In one arrangement, the system includes an excimer laser (110) for generating a plurality of excimer laser pulses of a predetermined fluence, an energy density modulator (120) for controllably modulating the fluence of the excimer laser pulses such that the fluence is below that which is required to completely melt the thin film, a beam homoginizer (144) for homoginizing modulated laser pulses in a predetermined plane, a sample stage (170) for receiving homoginized laser pulses to effect melting of portions of the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film corresponding to the laser pulses, translating means for controllably translating a relative position of the sample stage (170) with respect to the laser pulses, and a computer (110) for coordinating the excimer pulse generation and fluence modulation with the relative positions of the sample stage (170) to thereby process the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film by sequential translation of the sample stage (170) relative to the laser pulses.

Description

RADIATION HARDENED ISLAND FORMED COATING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention pertains to vacuum deposition of amphoteric materials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vacuum metallization of plastic dielectric substrates and the like is described in various forms including U.S. Patents: 2,992,125 Fustier 2. 993.806 Fisher 3.118.781 Downing 3.914.472 Nakanishi 4.101.698 Dunning 4.131.530 Blum 4.211.822 Kurfman 4.215.170 Oliva In addition, two reference books are: Thin Film Phenomena, Kasturi L. Chopra, Robert Kreiger Publishing Company, Huntington, NY, 1979, pages 163-189. Handbook of Thin Film Technology, Leon I. Maissel and Reinhard Glang, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, N.Y., 1970, pages 8-32 to 8-43. U.S. Patents Nos. 4,407. 871, 4,431,711 and 4,713,143, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, refer to metallization of plastic articles and more particularly to the structure and spacing of discrete metal islands used to metallize instead of a film metallic continuous. The metallization is carried out using the coating system in the form of islands as detailed in the patents mentioned above. The system generally includes sequentially depositing a primer coating layer, a base coat layer, a metallization layer and a top coat layer. As described in the patents referenced above, the coating layers contain non-volatile film forming polymers, generally in the range of 10-30%, which require flashing time of 20 minutes at room temperature and hardening times of about 30 minutes at 260 ° F between layers. In addition to the proper deposition of the coating layers, the appearance and performance of the commercial product, the conductivity of the metallic layer, the corrosion resistance of the metallic layer and / or the adhesion of the upper layer refer to the structure and spacing of the islands. The patents referenced above provide additional teachings regarding the nucleation and growth of the film up to the desired structure and spacing of the islands that achieve these ends. In U.S. Patent 5,290,625, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, the above process is applied to aluminum parts. In a co-pending application of the United States Serial No. 08 / 248,957, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, the coating layers are modified to form a combined primer / base layer. The underlying combination primer / base layer may include a pigment to provide a colored metallic appearance as described in U.S. Patent 5,320. 869, published June 14, 1994 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. In another co-pending application, of the United States Serial Number 08 / 248,649, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, the technology for the deposition of coating layers is improved to allow film formations of 1.5 to 2.0 thousandths, eliminating significant irregularities of the coating. The present island coating system deposits the polymeric constituents of the primer layer, the basecoat layer and the topcoat layer in vehicles of organic solvents such as glycol ethers, glycol ether acetates, aromatic hydrocarbons by spraying. and dibasic esters. These solvent vehicles pose a problem of waste disposal that increases the cost of production significantly, the risk of flammability, as well as require significant flashing and hardening times. If the organic solvents could be eliminated, while still maintaining the aesthetic properties of the metallized appearance, significant time savings could be achieved and, therefore, increased production, improved safety, as well as ease of disposal of waste. Additionally, with the elimination of organic solvents, the range of metallizable substrates could be increased. In general, the spray deposition step is performed in batch processing, while the parts are rotated as described in U.S. Patent 5,284,679 published February 8, 1994 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated here by reference. However, the use of rotation is not practical when dealing with substrates that are thin sheets such as fine extruded polymers, cellulose based materials and textiles. These sheets or fine-sized sheet materials require different handling and for high-speed production it would be useful to be able to have continuous line processing. Apparatus designers would find it advantageous to have a metallized sheet material made of various materials such as polymers, vinyls, cellulose-based materials and textiles, which are flexible, washable, formable, and die-cut. The metal decorations currently available are either not generally of a truly metallic appearance, or after washing and moistening they lose metallic luster or can not be washed at all. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have materials with a metallized appearance that could be "ironed", that is, a thermal bonding adhesive, in addition to "sewing". As an example, manufacturers of sneakers have a perceived need to individualize their products with unique identifiable characteristics, such as lights that are present in a brand of sneakers. The metallic ornament would be useful to create such identifiable characteristics. It would be useful to have metal finishing products by thin polymer extrusion, which can be cut into die sheets with high speed electrical resistance without arcing. In addition, it would be useful to be able to use such materials as exterior decoration without corrosion and that can be used for mold decoration and have the appropriate reflexivity or depth of image. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES In accordance with the present invention, a process for manufacturing a metallized substrate using an island-shaped coating system includes depositing a first coating layer containing a radiation-curable non-volatile film former. The coated substrate is then vacuum metallized to form the metallic islands of the present invention and a clear resinous protective dielectric topcoat layer containing a non-volatile radiation hardening film former is deposited to completely cover the metallic island layer, while maintaining the aesthetic properties of the coating system in the form of metalization islands at a reduced cost and with minimal variability. The substrate may be formed of parts of various polymers or metals or the substrate may be a sheet material made from materials such as a fine-sized extruded polymer, vinyl, textile or cellulose-based material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF REALIZATION PREFERRED The present invention provides a manufacturing process of substrates / parts, and the same manufactured parts / substrates, which have a metallized appearance, which reduces the amount of organic waste and the production time as well as allows continuous line processing of material of sheet metal using the coating system in the form of islands. The part can be manufactured from a substrate material selected from the group comprising crystalline and / or amorphous thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic urethanes, thermoplastic urethane alloys, polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys and metals such as like aluminum, magnesium and steel. Additionally, the substrate material may be in a sheet form of fine size, i.e. sheet material. The sheet material has a thickness range from 0.002 inches to 2 inches, with the preferred range being 0.002 to 0.5 inches. The sheet material may also include textiles such as, but not limited to, cotton, denim, canvas as well as vinyl and cellulose-based materials including rayon. Online processing refers to a process in which the material being treated is moved from a retention medium and is received by another and while it is being moved it is treated by the process. For example, reel-to-reel processing would be an online processing medium. The island coating system is then applied as taught in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,407,871, 4,431,711, 4,713,143, 5,290,625 with the improvements described in the present invention. The island-shaped coating system generally includes as a first coating layer either a combined primer / base coat layer, or separately applied primer and base coat layers, a metallization layer and a top coating layer of encapsulation. The prior art teaches that each coating layer contains film forming polymers as described in the patents and patent applications referenced above. The coatings of the present invention contain oligomers that can be classified as polymers or film-forming resins in standard coating technology. The oligomers are mixed with monomers that are of low viscosity and are considered reactive diluents that provide viscosity reduction to the coating and react with oligomers when exposed to UV light. A photoinitiator is also required. Two publications that provide general prior information on radiation hardening are: Cationic Radiation Curing, J. Koleske, Federation on Coatings Technology, Federation of Societies for Coating Technology, June 1991; and Radiation Cured Coatings, J. Costanza et al., Federation Series on Coatings Technology, Federation of Societies for Coating Technology, June 1986. In the coatings of the present invention, the film-forming polymers are radiation-hardenable film formers. The non-volatile radiation-hardenable film former is selected from the group consisting of melamine acrylate, urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate, acrylic acrylate and polyester acrylate. With the use of radiation-hardenable film formers, organic solvents are not required in the present invention. Flammability risks as well as waste are eliminated. The present invention prevents radiation exposure from occurring outside the coating room, therefore excess coating fluid can be collected and recycled for reuse. Therefore, the formulation of each coating layer is: Primer layer: 0-5% pigment 30-90% radiation-hardening film former 1-5% photoinitiator 2-70% monomers Base layer: 30-90% radiation-hardening film former 1- 5% photoinitiator 2-70% monomers Primer layer / basecoat combined: 0-5% pigment 30-90% film hardening agent radiation-hardened 1-5% photoinitiator 2-70% monomers Topcoat : 0-3% UV absorber 30-90% radiation-hardening film former 1-5% photoinitiator 2-70% monomers The photoinitiator is selected from the group consisting of phenylketones, benzophenone, diazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, benzoin ethers, thioxanthones and oxime esters. The pigment can be black or other colors such as red, green, yellow or purple. In the preferred embodiment, a black pigment is used. In the practice of the improvements of the present invention, the primer layers (or coatings), the base layer and the top layer can be applied using spray technology, generally high volume, low pressure spray equipment, to atomize the coatings. The coatings can be heated (100 ° -120 ° F) to help the coating circulate. Coatings are applied while the parts are at room temperature or elevated (20 ° -150 ° F). If preformed parts are to be coated, the parts may be manufactured in "batches" and in the preferred embodiment, while the parts are rotating. If the substrate is a sheet material, in-line processing can be used for high volume processing using the present invention. For this process, the coatings can be applied with spraying technology, but roller or knife deposition can also be used, as is known in the art. D. Satas, Web Processing & Converting Technology & Equipment, VanNostrand, Reinhold NY, 1984; Kallendorf, C.F., ed. Radiation Curing Primer I: Inks, Coatings & Adhesives, Rad Tech International Park America, 60 Revere Drive, Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062, 1990. For low volume applications, individual sheets can be processed using either current metallization methods or the present invention. Generally only one side of the sheet material is metallized, but both sides can be metallized. A metallized side may be on the first surface, for example the surface of the substrate facing in the direction of the light incident on the substrate carrying the discontinuous layer of metal. In this case, the light incident on the surface of the substrate passes through the discontinuous layer of metal, part of the light being reflected back from the metal islands and without reaching the surface. Alternatively, the metallization can be done on the surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. In this case, the opposite surface, or second surface, has the discontinuous layer of metal formed thereon and the light passes through the substrate (or transparent or translucent material) before it is reflected back through the substrate from the substrate. discontinuous layer of metal. The coatings in the present invention do not require a flash time, since there are no solvents that must evaporate. The coatings are hardened by ultraviolet radiation from an appropriate source, such as an ultraviolet lamp for less than five minutes. The coating thicknesses are between 0.5 and 2.0 thousandths for each coating as indicated in the prior art, the coating thickness being 1.5 mils. Due to the elimination of the flash stage and the significant reduction of the hardening time compared to the prior art islands-like coating system, the time to produce metallized parts is reduced. The efficiency of the production line that manufactures metallized parts increases by at least 60% and the continuous line processing of sheet material can be undertaken. In a second embodiment, liquid inorganic carriers such as C02 can be replaced by the organic solvent carriers marketed by Union Carbide in their UNICARB (R) system. The applicant has utilized this system and in the practice of the present invention some organic solvents are necessary to maintain the proper flow rate and consistency. In a further embodiment, a hard coating layer is applied over the top coating layer. The hard coating layer can be applied to improve the scratch resistance. This hard coating layer can be applied to improve scratch resistance, where flexibility is not required. This hard coating layer can be selected from the group consisting of thermally hardened silicone coatings and UV hardened acrylate and methacrylate coatings. The present invention provides thin-extruded polymer sheet material with a metallic finish. These fine extrusion polymers have wide application in exterior and interior trim, particularly in the automotive industry. In the sheet material of the prior art with a metallized layer, not in the form of an island, continuous, if it were cut into die sheets with high speed electrical resistance, an arc would be formed. However, the metallized sheet material prepared with the island-shaped coating system can be die cut, since no arc can be formed because the metallic layer is not conductive. In general, for these applications, the sheet material is selected from crystalline and / or amorphous thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic urethanes, thermoplastic urethane alloys, polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys as well as vinyls, textiles and materials. cellulose base. The present invention provides metallized fine extruded elastomeric plastic sheets, 0.002 to 0.010 inches thick, which can be effectively used in non-creased appliqué applications. Due to the flexible nature of the island-like coating, these sheets can be stretched over complex geometric shapes as well as "molded" into complex shaped products to eliminate the need for an adhesive. In second surface applications, the image depth (DOI) provides an exact image like a chrome without the chrome acting problems. The present invention also provides a metallized substrate which is flexible, washable, and which can either be fixed with adhesive or sewn to an appropriate object and in particular to clothing. The metallization can be performed either as taught by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,407,871, 4,431,711 and 4,713,143, or with the improvements of the present invention. The object can be clothing, shoes or the like. These improvements allow the substrate to be materials that should not be exposed to organic solvents such as textiles and continuous line processing, i.e., metallization can be used to fabricate the substrate. The substrate for use in clothing and ornaments is generally selected from the group consisting of polymers, generally a thermoplastic urethane (TPU), vinyls, cellulose-derived materials such as paper, wood and rayon, and textiles such as cotton, wool and silk. The substrate may be in any form, but in the preferred embodiment, it is in the form of a sheet, so that it can be die-cut in the proper manner to be applied to the clothing. In addition, in another preferred embodiment, the substrate can be washed and ironed using standard procedures and can be passed through the drying cycle of a dryer. Polyester elastomer substrates, such as Hytrel ™ and polyurethane elastomer substrates such as Rynite ™ as well as material have been used in the present invention. of thermoplastic polyester sheet, such as Estañe ™. The substrate can be transformed into garments or the garment itself can be processed with the present invention. Additional articles of clothing themselves, such as shoes, can also be metallized with the present invention. Further modifications of the appearance can be achieved by mechanically abrading the metal layer in random or structured patterns prior to the application of the top layer. "Splashing" the metallic layer with nitric acid, sulfuric or 1% hydrochloric before application of the top layer provides a mottled visual effect. The present invention also provides the advantages that different pigments can be added to the base layers or dyes can be added to the top layer to produce different colored appearances. Alternatively, the substrate itself may have color as indicated in the '869 patent. In addition, secondary accents can be achieved by painting directly on the top layer. Additionally, ink transfers can also be applied in a variety of patterns to produce a variety of appearances, such as snake skin and geometric patterns. The process provides metallized sheet material that can be transformed into ornaments that are metallic in appearance and are flexible, washable and transformable into sheets for die cutting. The process also foresees the application of the coating system in the form of islands on materials derived from cellulose and textiles. The invention will now be described by means of the following examples, with the understanding that other advantages and a more complete understanding of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Four preformed parts for automobiles were metallized using the coating system in the form of islands as in the present invention. The combination of primer layer / radiation hardening base layer was spray coated and then hardened by exposure for 1 minute to a UV lamp. The parts were rotated during the exhibition. The parts were then metallized under vacuum with indium and the clear topcoat hardened by radiation was then applied by spraying on the part. The hardening was by exposure for 1 minute to a UV lamp. The parts were rotated during the exhibition.

Part Material Appearance Reflector - Acrylonitrile Reflective glossy headlight butadiene styrene uniform Nylon handle Reflective filler glossy glass uniform door Reflective aluminum wheel uniform bright Urethane grid Reflective glossy thermoplastic radiator uniform All parts had a metallic appearance that was within acceptable parameters. The diffuse reflectance was within 45-65 units, the image distinction (DOI) was > 90 units, the brightness was > 100 units and the clouding was < 23 units for each part.

EXAMPLE 2 Two molded shoe heel plates and two pieces of TPU sheet material were metallized. The samples were washed in a domestic washing machine and dried in a domestic dryer through ten cycles for a period of several days. Generally, the washing cycles included a hot wash and a cold rinse with a commercial laundry detergent and bleach without chlorine. The dryer was adjusted to an automatic cycle that lasted approximately 35-40 minutes. The samples were then evaluated and found to have no loss of flexibility, no color change or delamination of the coating. Through this application, it refers to several publications by appointment or number of patents. The descriptions of these publications are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference in this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be interpreted according to the nature of the words in the description rather than limitation. Of course many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. A metallized substrate, comprising: a substrate; a first coating layer, containing a non-volatile film former, radiation curable; a layer of metallic material to form a discontinuous film covering said first coating layer including a plurality of discrete islands of a metallic material that appears macroscopically as a continuous film of said metal, and having a plurality of macroscopically unobservable channels between the islands to maintain the film without electrical conductivity on said first coating layer; and a protective, resinous, transparent upper dielectric coating layer, containing a non-volatile film former, radiation curable, to completely cover said layer of corrosive metallic material, deposited under vacuum, and filling said channels to adhere said material metallic to said first coating layer throughout the bottom of the channels.

2. A metallized substrate, according to claim 1, wherein said first layer is one of: a combined primer / base layer, and primer and base layers applied separately.

3. A metallized substrate, according to claim 2, wherein said top, base, primer and combined primer / base coat layers have a thickness in the range of 0.5 thousandths to 2.5 thousandths, and may be the same or different.

4. A metallized substrate, according to claim 3, wherein said top coat layer has a thickness of 2.0 mils.

5. A metallized substrate according to claim 1, wherein said non-volatile, radiation hardenable film former is selected from the group consisting of melamine acrylate, urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate and polyester acrylate.

6. A metallized part, according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of crystalline and amorphous thermoplastic elastomers, polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys, polyester elastomers, polyesters thermoplastics of polyurethane elastomers, and metals.

7. A metallic substrate according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is a sheet material selected from the group consisting of elastomers crystalline and amorphous thermoplastic alloys, polyester, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys, polyester elastomers, thermoplastic polyesters polyurethane elastomers, metals, vinyls, textiles and cellulose-based materials.

8. A metallized substrate, according to claim 7, further characterized in that said sheet material has a thickness in the range of 0.002 to 2.0 inches.

9. A metallized substrate, according to claim 1, further characterized in that said metallic layer is worn in random or structured patterns.

10. A metallic substrate according to claim 1 which is further characterized in that said metal layer is sprinkled with an acid selected from the group consisting of 1% nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid.

11. A sheet material made of elastomeric plastic, thin, metallized, extruded, prepared with the coating system in the form of islands, which forms a continuous layer of metal on a first surface and second surface of said sheet material, by means of which said material The sheet can be flexed without causing folds or other distortions in the flexed material, while maintaining the aesthetic properties of said metal layer.

12. An elastomeric, thin, metallized, extruded plastic sheet material according to claim 11, further characterized by having a thickness range from 0.002 to 0.010 inches.

13. A sheet material of elastomeric plastic, thin, metallized, extruded, according to claim 11, further characterized in that said sheet material is transparent or translucent.

14. A sheet material of elastomeric plastic, thin, metallized, extruded, prepared with the coating system in the form of islands, which forms a discontinuous metal layer on both first and second surfaces of said sheet material.