Paint Film Appliques with Reduced Defects, Articles, and Methods

Abstract

In-situ polymerized polymer film facilitates improved paint film appliques with reduced defects. The paint film appliques comprise the in-situ polymerized polymer film as a carrier layer and at least one color layer assembled as a laminate, optionally further comprising at least one topcoat layer on one major surface of the laminate and an adhesive layer on the other major surface of the laminate.

1 . A paint film applique comprising:
 optionally, a topcoat layer;   an in-situ polymerized carrier layer;   a color layer; and   optionally, an adhesive layer.   
     
     
         2 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the paint film applique is opaque. 
     
     
         3 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the color layer comprises pigment. 
     
     
         4 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the color layer is in-situ polymerized. 
     
     
         5 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier layer is defect-free. 
     
     
         6 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier layer is polyurethane-based. 
     
     
         7 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the in-situ polymerized carrier layer is essentially free of unreacted solvent. 
     
     
         8 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the paint film applique comprises the topcoat layer, the in-situ polymerized carrier layer, the color layer, and the adhesive layer in sequence. 
     
     
         9 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the paint film applique comprises the topcoat layer, the color layer, the in-situ polymerized carrier layer, and the adhesive layer in sequence. 
     
     
         10 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the in-situ polymerized carrier layer is, like the color layer, also colored. 
     
     
         11 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , comprising the topcoat layer. 
     
     
         12 . The paint film applique of  claim 11 , wherein the topcoat layer is polyurethane-based. 
     
     
         13 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the in-situ polymerized carrier layer has a peak loss factor of at least about 0.5 when tested as a standalone film according to the Loss Factor Test Method described herein. 
     
     
         14 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the in-situ polymerized carrier layer has a peak loss factor that occurs at about a temperature of at least about 35° C. when tested as a standalone film according to the Loss Factor Test Method described herein. 
     
     
         15 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein half-height loss factors of the in-situ polymerized carrier layer occur across a temperature span of less than about 40° C. when tested as a standalone film according to the Loss Factor Test Method described herein. 
     
     
         16 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is present and comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The paint film applique of  claim 16 , further comprising a release film on an exterior surface of the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         18 . The paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein overall thickness of the paint film applique is less than about 130 microns thick. 
     
     
         19 . An article comprising at least one surface having on at least a portion thereof the paint film applique of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein the article comprises a motorized vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . A method of using the paint film applique of  claim 1  to paint a surface on a motorized vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing the paint film applique of  claim 1 ; and 
 applying the sheet to the surface of the motorized vehicle. 
 
     
     
         22 . A method of forming the paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein at least the in-situ polymerized carrier layer and color layer are formed by co-extrusion of polymerizable compositions that are in-situ polymerized to simultaneously form the at least two layers. 
     
     
         23 . A method of forming the paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the color layer is solution-cast. 
     
     
         24 . A method of forming the paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the color layer is cast from an organic solvent solution. 
     
     
         25 . A method of forming the paint film applique of  claim 1 , wherein the color layer is cast from an aqueous solution.