Method for preparing microstructured laminating adhesive articles

Abstract

A method of making a microstructured adhesive article that includes (a) providing an article comprising a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on a backing; and (b) embossing the surface of the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer to form a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer having a microstructured adhesive surface.

1 . A method of making a microstructured adhesive article comprising:
 (a) providing an article comprising a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on a backing, wherein the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness of from about 10 micrometers to about 1500 micrometers, wherein the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive does not interfere with light transmission of light in the visible region, having a luminous transmittance of 95-99.9% and a haze of less than 2% as measured according to ASTM D 1003-95 after dry lamination; and   (b) embossing the surface of the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer with a microstructured liner or a molding tool to form a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer having a microstructured adhesive surface structure, wherein the structure consists of V-grooves or channels and wherein the surface structure is unstable when not in contact with the microstructured liner or molding tool, and the adhesive layer is able to wet out a substrate surface by flattening of the microstructured surface structures and displays complete wet out to a glass substrate after 48 hours.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a haze value after lamination, measured according to ASTM D 1003-95, of less than about 50% of the haze value of the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer prior to lamination. 
     
     
         3 . A method for making a laminate comprising:
 (a) providing a microstructured adhesive article comprising a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer having a microstructured adhesive surface disposed on a backing prepared according to a method comprising:   (i) providing an article comprising a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed   on a backing, wherein the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness of   from about 10 micrometers to about 1500 micrometers, wherein the crosslinked pressure   sensitive adhesive does not interfere with light transmission of light in the visible region,   having a luminous transmittance of at least 95% and a haze of less than 5% as measured   according to ASTM D 1003-95 after dry lamination; and   (ii) embossing the surface of the crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive layer with a   microstructured liner or a molding tool to form a crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive   layer having a microstructured adhesive surface structure, wherein the structure consists of   V-grooves or channels and wherein the surface structure is unstable when not in contact   with the microstructured liner or molding tool, and the adhesive layer is able to wet out a   substrate surface by flattening of the microstructured surface structures and displays complete wet out to a glass substrate after 48 hours; and   (b) dry laminating the microstructured adhesive surface of the article to a first substrate to form a laminate.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the first substrate comprises a substantially specular substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the first substrate comprises an optical device. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the optical device comprises an optical display. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the first substrate comprises a rigid substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the first substrate comprises a rigid substrate with a painted surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the rigid substrate comprises a glass substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the rigid substrate comprises a vehicle windshield. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the rigid substrate comprises a window. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the backing on which the adhesive is disposed is removable, the method further comprising removing the backing from the adhesive layer to expose an adhesive surface, and laminating the exposed adhesive surface to a second substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second substrate comprises a rigid substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second substrates comprise rigid substrates.