Patent Application
20120145306
The present disclosure relates to processes of forming members for structures, and more particularly to, processes of forming members for structures, wherein the members include solar control layers.
Buildings are susceptible to heating due to radiation emitted from the sun. Some building materials may reflect little near-infrared (“NIR”) radiation and consequently absorb substantial solar heat. This absorption of solar heat typically results in elevated temperatures in the environment surrounding the exposed building material.
In an attempt to address heating caused by NIR radiation, incorporation or application of white- or light-colored pigments or coatings onto building materials have been used. However, such a limited selection of colors may not be desired. In another attempt to address heating caused by NIR radiation, metal sheets or metal flakes, such as aluminum flakes, may be used. However, metal sheets or metal flakes may not be desired by some consumers. Other colored pigments may be relatively high in cost, provide a limited solar reflectance, and are not available in all colors.
The building codes of some cities require low-emissivity glass to be used for all new construction and replacement transparent glass windows. A low-emissivity transparent glass window includes a coating, often based on a thin layer of metal, applied to one or more surfaces of the transparent glass, where the coating reflects at least some of the NIR radiation.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the accompanying figures.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.
The following description in combination with the figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainly be used in this application.
Before addressing details of the embodiments described below, some terms are defined or clarified. The term “elemental metal” is intended to mean a metal that consists essentially of a single atomic element, regardless of crystallinity or a lack thereof. Compare Ti, TiW, and TiN. Ti (not part of an alloy or compound) is an elemental metal. TiW is an alloy having dissimilar atomic elements, TiN is a compound having dissimilar atomic elements, and therefore, TiW and TiN are not elemental metals.
The term “film” is intended to mean a discrete constituent of a layer, as recited below.
The term “layer” is intended to mean a functional unit including a single film or a plurality of films. For example, an insulating layer may have a function of providing electrical insulation between two locations along opposite sides of the insulating layer. The insulating layer can include a single film of an oxide, a nitride, or an oxynitride, or the insulating layer can include a combination of any two or more of oxide, nitride, or oxynitride films. For the latter example, an oxide film, a nitride film, or an oxynitride film would be a discrete film within the plurality of films that make up the insulating layer.
The term “near infrared radiation” (also, “NIR radiation”) is intended to mean a radiation spectrum having wavelengths corresponding to 700 nm to about 2500 nm.
The term “polymer” is intended to refer to a homopolymer, a copolymer, or any combination thereof.
The term “visible light” is intended to mean a radiation spectrum having wavelengths corresponding to 400 nm to 700 nm.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Also, the use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise. For example, when a single item is described herein, more than one item may be used in place of a single item. Similarly, where more than one item is described herein, a single item may be substituted for that more than one item.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. To the extent not described herein, many details regarding specific materials and processing acts are conventional and may be found in reference books and other sources within the structural arts and corresponding manufacturing arts.
A member for a structure includes a substrate and a solar control layer. The member can be configured so that visible light can be transmitted to and from an underlying substrate while reflecting a significant amount of NIR radiation and without significantly altering the appearance of the underlying substrate when the solar control layer is present. The underlying substrate can include a variety of building materials that can be used for a structure. A novel processing technique allows a much greater variety of materials to be used for a solar control layer that would otherwise be difficult or substantially impossible to deposit directly on structural materials commonly used. The figures and description below provide some exemplary applications and processes to form members for a structure. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that other applications and processes can be used without departing from the concepts described herein.
Any of the foregoing members of the structure 10 can include a substrate and a solar control layer. The member may be part of or form part of an exterior surface of the structure 10. The substrate of the member can include a pair of opposing surfaces that include an interior-facing surface and an outer visible surface. Other than the windows 144 and 162, the substrates for the other members of the structure 10 may be substantially opaque to visible light. The substrate can have an appearance that is the desired appearance for that particular part of the structure 10. For example, the substrate of the siding 12 has an outer visible surface that may have a particular color, wood grain, masonry surface, or other appearance that the owner desires to be seen.
The solar control layer can reflect a significant amount of NIR radiation away from the structure 10, and therefore, can help to reduce the amount of solar heating of the structure 10. Similarly, the same or a different solar control layer may be used for roofing articles, the door, frame, and other exposed portions of the structure 10. The solar control layer can be capable of transmitting at least 5% of radiation having a wavelength within the visible light spectrum. In another embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least 50% of radiation having a wavelength within the visible light spectrum, and in a particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least 70% of radiation having a wavelength within the visible light spectrum. The solar control layer can be capable of reflecting at least 1% of radiation having a wavelength within the NIR spectrum. In another embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least 30% of radiation having a wavelength within the NIR spectrum, and in a particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least 60% of radiation having a wavelength within the NIR spectrum.
The solar control layer can allow visible light to be transmitted to the outer visible surface of the substrate, and other visible light reflected by the outer visible surface to be transmitted away from the structure 10. For example, in the absence of the solar control layer, the outer visible surface of the substrate may reflect a color that would be seen by an observer. When the solar control layer is present, the combination of the substrate and solar control layer may reflect a color that is similar or substantially the same as the color reflected by the outer visible surface of the substrate. In this specification, color is specified in terms of 1976 CIE (Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage) color space coordinates of L*, a*, and b*, wherein L* represents lightness of the color (L*=0 is black, and L*=100 indicates diffuse white; specular white may be higher), a* represents a position between red/magenta and green (a*, negative values indicate green while positive values indicate magenta), and b* represents a position between yellow and blue (b*, negative values indicate blue and positive values indicate yellow). In an embodiment, a set of L*, a*, b* coordinates for the outer visible surface of the substrate with and without the solar control layer are within approximately 5 units of each other, and in another embodiment, the set of L*, a*, b* coordinates are within approximately 10 units of each other. In a particular embodiment, the set of L*, a*, b* coordinates are within approximately 4 units of each other.
More details regarding the properties and compositions of the members for the structure 10 are described in more detail with processing details later in this specification.
The solar control layer can be deposited using a plasma-assisted technique of a physical vapor deposition (“PVD”) or chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”). Many structural members may not be well suited for such plasma-assisted techniques due to material compatibility or size or handling constraints. Some materials, such as wood, stains, or other coatings may degrade or have other issues when subjected to a plasma. Some substrates may be compatible with a plasma-assisted technique; however, the substrate may be relatively large (for example, metal benches for bleachers, a playground slide, large panes of glass for window, etc.) or may be fragile or brittle (for example, relatively thin glass, a sapphire plate, etc.). The techniques as described herein allow composition and thickness control seen with plasma-assisted PVD and CVD techniques without requiring the substrate to be exposed to a plasma within a limited space within a PVD or CVD chamber.
The exposed surface of the substrate 50 can include a halogenated compound, such as a fluorinated compound, a chlorinated compound, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the fluorinated compound can include a fluorinated polymer or a fluorinated silicone rubber. The fluoropolymer can be a homopolymer of fluorine-substituted monomers or a copolymer including at least one fluorine-substituted monomer. Exemplary fluorine substituted monomers include vinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), vinylidene fluoride (VF2), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), perfluoroethylvinyl ether (PEVE), perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE), and perfluoropropylvinyl ether (PPVE). Examples of fluorinated polymers include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkylvinyl ether (PFA), fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), TFE copolymers with VF2 or HFP, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), a copolymer of ethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene (EFEP), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride (THVF), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and ethylene (HTE), or any combination thereof. In particular, the fluoropolymer is melt processable. For example, the fluoropolymer can be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP), a copolymer of ethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene (EFEP), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride (THV), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and ethylene (HTE), or any combination thereof. For example, the fluoropolymer can be a fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP). In another example, the fluoropolymer can be a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE).
In an embodiment, the chlorinated compound can include a chlorinated polymer. In addition to the chloropolymers previously described with respect to the fluoropolymers, the chloropolymer can be a homopolymer of chlorine-substituted monomers or a copolymer including at least one chlorine-substituted monomer. Exemplary chlorine substituted monomers include vinyl chloride, tetrachloroethylene (TCE), vinylidene chloride (VC2), hexachloropropylene (HCP), chlorotrichloroethylene (CTCE), perchloroethylvinyl ether (PEVE), perchloromethylvinyl ether (PMVE), and perchloropropylvinyl ether (PPVE). Examples of chlorinated polymers include polytetrachloroethylene (PTCE), perchloroalkylvinyl ether (PCA), chlorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (CEP), ethylene tetrachloroethylene copolymer (ETCE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), TCE copolymers with VC2 or HCP, a copolymer of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene propylene (ECEP), a terpolymer of tetrachloroethylene, hexachloropropylene, and vinylidene chloride (THVC), a terpolymer of tetrachloroethylene, hexachloropropylene, and ethylene (HTE), or any combination thereof. In particular, the chloropolymer is melt processable. For example, the chloropolymer can be polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), ethylene tetrachloroethylene copolymer (ETCE), chlorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (CEP), a copolymer of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene propylene (ECEP), a terpolymer of tetrachloroethylene, hexachloropropylene, and vinylidene chloride (THV), a terpolymer of tetrachloroethylene, hexachloropropylene, and ethylene (HTE), or any combination thereof. For example, the chloropolymer can be a chlorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (CEP). In another example, the chloropolymer can be a copolymer of ethylene and tetrachloroethylene (ETCE).
In another embodiment, the exposed surface of the surface 50 may not include a halogenated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface can include a polycarbonate, a polyolefin (polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like), a polyacrylate, a polyester, a cellulose acetate film, another suitable polymer, or any combination thereof.
The exposed surface of the surface 50 can also include a polymer coated with a siloxane varnish or with an acrylate varnish formulated in a way that the solar control layer does not adhere too strongly on the coated polymer. In one embodiment, the substrate 50 can consist essentially of any of the foregoing materials, and in another embodiment, the substrate 50 can include a base layer that is covered by a release coating or other layer of any of the foregoing materials. In a particular embodiment, the release coating can include silicone or a cross-linked polymer, such as a melamine-formaldehyde resin. The base layer, the release coating or other layer may be translucent or substantially opaque to visible light.
The thickness of the solar control layer 62 has no known upper theoretical limit; however, as the thickness of the solar control layer 62 increases, the transmission of visible light decreases. The solar control layer 62 may be substantially transparent to all wavelengths within the visible light spectrum or may reflect a color that is close to the color of the visible outer surface of the substrate of the member for the structure. In an embodiment, the solar control layer 62 has a thickness no greater than 5 μm, and in another embodiment, the solar control layer 62 has a thickness no greater than 500 μm. Similar to the solar control layer 62, each film within the solar control layer has no known theoretical upper limit. In an embodiment, each film has a thickness no greater than 200 and in another embodiment, each film has a thickness no greater than 90 μm. Each film within the solar control layer 62 can have a transmission of visible light or a reflection of a color that varies with the thickness of the film.
When the solar control layer includes a plurality of films, modeling or empirical testing can be performed to achieve a desired transmission of visible light, a reflection of a color, or a combination thereof. For example, if the visible outer surface of the substrate of the member for the structure has a particular light blue color, the solar control layer 62 may be configured to be substantially transmissive over substantially all of the visible light spectrum or, within the visible light spectrum, only reflect a color close to the particular light blue color, such that the visible appearance is substantially the same regardless of whether the solar control layer 62 would be used with the substrate of the member for the structure. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will be able to determine the particular composition and thickness of the solar control layer 62, including the number of films and the corresponding composition and thickness for a particular application.
Deposition of the solar control layer can be performed using a plasma-assisted technique, such as a plasma-assisted PVD or CVD process. The PVD process can be performed by sputtering the layer. The sputtering can be performed as radio-frequency (“RF”) sputtering, magnetron sputtering, bias sputtering, or the like using a corresponding sputtering apparatus. The sputtering target can have substantially the same composition as the film being deposited. In another embodiment, a reactive sputtering technique may be used. Sputtering can be performed while a chuck or other substrate holder is at approximately room temperature (for example approximately 20° C. to approximately 25° C. In another embodiment, the chuck or other substrate holder may be maintained at a temperature above room temperature. For a CVD process, an organometallic precursor, a metal halide, or a metal hydride may be used. The temperature to deposit the film may be reduced when using a plasma, and therefore, the deposition temperature can be lower than approximately 250° C., and may be lower than approximately 200° C. or even lower than approximately 150° C. By selecting the materials as described with respect to the substrate 50, the solar control layer 62 can be deposited without substantially destroying the substrate 50. The substrate 50 may only be used one time or may be used for a plurality of times in depositing solar control layers before the substrate 50 is no longer used.
Similar to the substrate 70, the intermediate layer 82 may not be well suited for exposure during a plasma-assisted process, such as the one previously described with respect to the deposition of solar control layer 62. For example, the substrate 70, the intermediate layer 82, or both may be susceptible to significant degradation if exposed during a plasma deposition. The intermediate layer 82 can include a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone, a polyimide, a polyamide, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the substrate 70 may have a rough or irregular surface (for example, a roofing shingle, a masonry facade, or the like). The intermediate layer 82 can include a pressure-sensitive adhesive compound, such as any described within U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,278, which is incorporated herein for its teachings of pressure-sensitive adhesive compounds.
In another embodiment, the solar control layer 62 may sufficiently adhere to and not have a significant material incompatibility issue with the substrate 70. In such an embodiment, the intermediate layer 82 may not be present, and the solar control layer 62 may directly contact the substrate 70. In a further embodiment, a protective layer (not illustrated) may be needed or desired. The protective layer may protect the solar control layer 62 during shipping or handling or improve long-term reliability of the solar control layer 62. In a particular embodiment, the protective layer may be removed shortly before or shortly after the member is installed. In another particular embodiment, the protective layer may remain over the solar control layer 62 or may be installed over the solar control layer 62 after the member is installed.
In still another embodiment, the intermediate layer 82 may still be disposed adjacent to the substrate 50; however, it may be disposed between the substrate 50 and the solar control layer 62, rather than the solar control layer 62 being disposed between the substrate 50 and the intermediate layer 82. When the intermediate layer 82 is disposed between the substrate 50 and solar control layer 62, the intermediate layer 82 can help to protect the solar control layer 62 after the substrate 50 is removed. More particularly, when the substrate 50 is removed, the intermediate layer 82 remains in contact with the solar control layer 62 when the solar control layer 62 is transferred to the substrate 70. The intermediately layer 82 remain permanently (that is, not intended to be removed) to protect the solar control layer 62. Alternatively, the intermediate layer 82 may temporarily protect the solar control layer 62, such as during shipment of the combination of the substrate 70 and solar control layer 62. Just before, during, or just after the substrate 70 is installed, the intermediate layer 82 may be removed from the solar control layer 62. In a further embodiment, different intermediate layers may be used between the substrate 50 and the solar control layer 62 and between the solar control layer 62 and the substrate 70.
After reading this specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that many different arrangements of layers are possible. After determining which layers directly contact which other layers, and whether each layer is to remain permanently in place or removed, particular materials can be selected for each of the layers to ensure that the relative adhesive properties between the layers that are in direct contact with each other are consistent with the design. For example, the substrate 50 may in direct contact with the solar control layer 62 when the solar control layer 62 is deposited. The substrate 50 is selected such that the solar control layer 62 adheres to the substrate so that the solar control layer 62 may be handled. Because the solar control layer 62 will be in direct contact with the substrate 70 or the intermediate layer 82, the solar control layer 62, the material for the exposed surface of the substrate 70 or the intermediate layer 82 is selected so that the solar control layer 62 adheres more strongly to the exposed surface of the substrate 70 or the intermediate layer 82, as compared to the substrate 50. Other arrangements will have substantially the same issues with respect to relative adhesion.
Embodiments as described herein can be useful for forming members for structures that include a solar control layer. The processing techniques allow a solar control layer to be deposited using a plasma-assisted deposition technique without requiring a substrate or a member of a substrate to be subjected to the plasma. A wide variety of materials can be used with the solar control layer. Further, many of the plasma-assisted techniques allow for good thickness control and can be performed without incorporating particles or other matter that may adversely impact the optical properties of the solar control layer. The solar control layer can be transferred to nearly any substrate that is used along the exterior of a structure. The solar control layer can help to reduce heat within a building, as well as heat absorbed by the substrate, such as with metal bleachers, a playground slide, or the like.
The process described herein is well suited for materials that may degrade during a plasma-assisted deposition, for materials that will have additives that will evaporate in the vacuum during plasma-assisted deposition, where thermal expansion of the materials is too high or too low compared to the thermal expansion of the solar control layer, where the size of a substrate is too large for a deposition chamber, a substrate is relatively fragile or brittle, or unable to withstand the temperature reached during plasma-assisted deposition, or the like. Thus, the process can be adapted to a wide variety of applications.
Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and embodiments are described below. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that those aspects and embodiments are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention.
In a first aspect, a process of forming a member for a structure, wherein the method can include depositing a solar control layer over a first substrate, wherein depositing is performed using a plasma-assisted technique, and coupling the solar control layer and the first substrate to a second substrate. The method can also include removing the first substrate from the solar control layer while at least a portion of the solar control layer remains coupled to the second substrate.
In an embodiment of the first aspect, the member is part of an exterior surface of a building. In another embodiment, the member forms part of an exterior surface of a building. In still another embodiment, the member is a roofing article, siding, a door, a window, a door or window frame, fencing, decking, or a railing. In yet another embodiment, depositing the solar control layer is performed using a plasma-assisted technique. In a particular embodiment, depositing the solar control layer includes physical vapor depositing the solar control layer. In another particular embodiment, physical vapor depositing the solar control layer includes sputtering the solar control layer over the first substrate. In a more particular embodiment, sputtering the solar control layer includes using a magnetron sputtering apparatus. In a further embodiment, depositing the solar control layer includes chemical vapor depositing the solar control layer. In still a further embodiment, the solar control layer includes a metal-containing material. In a particular embodiment, the solar control layer consists essentially of a single film of an electrically conductive oxide. In yet a further embodiment, the solar control layer includes a plurality of films. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of films includes an electrically conductive film and a first dielectric film. In a more particular embodiment, the electrically conductive film is disposed between the second substrate and the first dielectric film, and wherein the electrically conductive film is protected from an outdoor environment by the first dielectric film. In an even more particular embodiment, the plurality of films further includes a second dielectric film, wherein the second dielectric film is disposed between the second substrate and the electrically conductive film.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first substrate includes a release coating. In a particular embodiment, the release coating includes a silicone or a cross-linked polymer. In still another embodiment, the first substrate has an exposed surface that includes a halogenated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a fluorinated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a fluoropolymer. In yet another embodiment, the exposed surface that includes a chlorinated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a chloropolymer. In a further embodiment, the first substrate has an exposed surface that includes a polycarbonate, a polyolefin, a polyacrylate, a polyester, an acetate, a siloxane or acrylate varnish. In still a further embodiment, the second substrate includes a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polyvinyl chloride, a polycarbonate, a polyacrylate, or any combination thereof.
In a particular embodiment, the second substrate includes a glass or ceramic material. In still a further embodiment, the second substrate includes a base layer that is substantially opaque to visible light. In a particular embodiment, the second substrate includes exterior siding for a building. In another particular embodiment, the second substrate includes a roofing article, siding, a door, a window, a door or window frame, fencing, decking, or a railing.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, coupling includes laminating the solar control layer to the second substrate. In a particular embodiment, laminating is performed at a temperature of at least approximately 50° C. and at a pressure greater than 200 kPa. In a more particular embodiment, laminating is performed at a temperature in a range of approximately 100° C. to approximately 150° C. In another more particular embodiment, laminating is performed at a pressure in a range of approximately 200 kPa to approximately 15000 kPa. In still another embodiment, removing the first substrate includes peeling the first substrate away from the solar control layer.
In yet another embodiment of the first aspect, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting approximately 5% to approximately 100% of a first radiation having a first wavelength within the visible light spectrum and reflecting approximately 1% to approximately 100% of a second radiation having a second wavelength in a range of 780 nm to 2500 nm. In a particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least approximately 50% of the first radiation having the first wavelength. In another particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least approximately 70% of the first radiation having the first wavelength. In still another particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least approximately 30% of the second radiation having the second wavelength. In yet another particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least approximately 60% of the second radiation having the second wavelength.
In a further embodiment of the first aspect, after removing the first substrate, the solar control layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a visible outer surface of the second substrate is disposed closer to the first surface than to the second surface. As seen at the second surface of the solar control layer, the solar control layer does not significantly alter the appearance of the visible outer surface of the member as compared to the member in an absence of the solar control layer. In still a further embodiment, the solar control layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a visible outer surface of the second substrate is disposed closer to the first surface than to the second surface. The visible outer surface of the second substrate is configured to reflect light at a first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates, and the solar control layer is configured to transmit light reflected from the visible outer surface such that, at the second surface, the reflected light has a second set of L*, a*, b* coordinates that are no more than approximately 10 units away from the coordinates of the first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates. In a particular embodiment, the coordinates of the second set of L*, a*, b* coordinates are no more than approximately 5 units away from the coordinates of the first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the process includes placing an intermediate layer between the solar control layer and the second substrate before coupling the solar control layer and the second substrate. In a particular embodiment, the intermediate layer includes a polymer other than a fluorine-containing polymer. In a more particular embodiment, the polymer comprises a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone, a polyimide, a polyamide, or any combination thereof. In a further particular embodiment, the intermediate layer includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive compound. In a more particular embodiment, the pressure-sensitive adhesive compound includes a silicone, an acrylic polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, or any combination thereof. In another particular embodiment, after removing the first substrate, the intermediate layer remains disposed between the solar control layer and the second substrate. In still another embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of scattering visible light.
In a second aspect, a process of forming a member for a structure, wherein the method can include sputtering a solar control layer over a first substrate, placing an intermediate layer adjacent to the first substrate or a second substrate, and laminating the solar control layer, the intermediate layer, and the second substrate together. The method can further include peeling the first substrate from the solar control layer while at least a portion of the solar control layer, the intermediate layer, and the second substrate remain laminated together.
In an embodiment of the second aspect, the member is part of an exterior surface of a building. In another embodiment, the member forms part of an exterior surface of a building. In still another embodiment, the member is a roofing article, siding, a door, a window, a door or window frame, fencing, decking, or a railing. In yet another embodiment, the solar control layer includes a metal-containing material. In a further embodiment, the solar control layer includes a plurality of films. In still a further embodiment, the first substrate has an exposed surface that includes a fluorinated compound.
In still another embodiment of the second aspect, the first substrate has an exposed surface that includes a halogenated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a fluorinated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a fluoropolymer. In yet another embodiment, the exposed surface that includes a chlorinated compound. In a particular embodiment, the exposed surface includes a chloropolymer. In a further embodiment, the first substrate has an exposed surface that includes a polycarbonate, a polyolefin, a polyacrylate, a polyester, an acetate, a siloxane or acrylate varnish. In still a further embodiment, the second substrate includes a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polyvinyl chloride, a polycarbonate, a polyacrylate, or any combination thereof.
In another embodiment of the second aspect, the second substrate is substantially opaque to visible light. In a particular embodiment, the second substrate includes exterior siding for a building. In another particular embodiment, the second substrate includes a roofing article. In still another embodiment, laminating is performed at a temperature of at least approximately 50° C. and at a pressure greater than 200 kPa. In a particular embodiment, laminating is performed at a temperature in a range of approximately 100° C. to approximately 150° C. In another particular embodiment, laminating is performed at a pressure in a range of approximately 200 kPa to approximately 15000 kPa.
In a further embodiment of the second aspect, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting approximately 5% to approximately 100% of a first radiation having a first wavelength within the visible light spectrum and reflecting approximately 1% to approximately 100% of a second radiation having a second wavelength in a range of 780 nm to 2500 nm. In a particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least approximately 50% of the first radiation having the first wavelength. In another particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of transmitting at least approximately 70% of the first radiation having the first wavelength. In still another particular embodiment, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least approximately 30% of the second radiation having the second wavelength.
In a further particular embodiment of the second aspect, the solar control layer is capable of reflecting at least approximately 60% of the second radiation having the second wavelength. In still a further particular embodiment, the intermediate layer is capable of transmitting approximately 5% to approximately 100% of the first radiation having the first wavelength. In a more particular embodiment, after removing the first substrate, the solar control layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a visible outer surface of the second substrate is disposed closer to the first surface than to the second surface. As seen at the second surface of the solar control layer, a combination of the solar control and intermediate layers does not significantly alter the appearance of the visible outer surface of the member as compared to the member in an absence of the combination of the intermediate and solar control layers. In an even more particular embodiment, the visible outer surface of the second substrate is configured to reflect light at a first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates, and the solar control layer is configured to transmit light reflected from the visible outer surface such that, at the second surface, the reflected light has a second set of L*, a*, b* coordinates that are no more than approximately 10 units away from the coordinates of the first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates. In another embodiment, the coordinates of the second set of L*, a*, b* coordinates are no more than approximately 5 units away from the coordinates of the first set of L*, a*, b* coordinates.
In still another embodiment of the second aspect, the intermediate layer includes a polymer other than a fluorine-containing polymer. In a particular embodiment, the polymer comprises a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone, a polyimide, a polyamide, or any combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the intermediate layer includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive compound. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-sensitive adhesive compound includes a silicone, an acrylic polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, or any combination thereof. In a further embodiment, during laminating, the solar control layer is disposed between the first substrate and the intermediate layer. In still a further embodiment, during laminating, the intermediate layer is disposed between the first substrate and the solar control layer.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
Certain features, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent to skilled artisans only after reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such that a structural substitution, logical substitution, or another change may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
