JP2007138024A - Thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light-diffusing property and light-diffusing plate comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoplastic resin composition which is suitably used for general uses needing light-diffusing properties without causing the color tone yellowing and defective appearance of the thermoplastic resin, has a highly bright optical property reduced in yellowing, and has an excellent light-diffusing property, and to provide a light-diffusing plate comprising the same. <P>SOLUTION: This thermoplastic resin composition having an excellent light-diffusing property is characterized by comprising (A) 100 pts.wt. of a thermoplastic resin, (B) 0.1 to 10 pts.wt. of a light-diffusing agent, (C) 0.01 to 1 pt.wt. of a cyclic phosphite-based antioxidant, and (D) 0 to 0.1 pt.wt. of a fluorescent brightening agent, and the light-diffusing plate molded from the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, light diffusibility and brightness are improved by blending a composition comprising a transparent thermoplastic resin and a light diffusing agent with a cyclic phosphite antioxidant and optionally a fluorescent brightening agent. The present invention relates to a light diffusing resin composition and a light diffusing plate comprising the same. Specifically, for members that cover the light source, for example, light diffusing plates of direct-type backlight units and edge light type units of liquid crystal televisions, glove boxes of lighting fixtures, switches of various devices, and general applications that require light diffusibility A thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light diffusibility and a light diffusing plate formed by molding the same are provided.

  Transparent thermoplastic resins are widely used in the fields of electricity, electronics, OA, automobiles, etc. because of their light transmission properties. In each field, resins that satisfy the required performance are selected and used separately. ing. In particular, in applications such as liquid crystal television direct type and edge light type units, lighting fixture covers, and switches of various devices, if a transparent thermoplastic resin is used, the light source can be seen through because it transmits light, There is a demand for a material imparted with light diffusibility without recognizing the shape of the light source (lamp) behind the resin molded product and without impairing the luminance of the light source as much as possible.

For the purpose of imparting light diffusibility to a transparent thermoplastic resin, in the prior art, there is a method in which a polymer phase or inorganic particle having a different refractive index is blended as a dispersed phase with a thermoplastic resin that forms a continuous phase. It has been adopted. In addition, a method for expressing desired light diffusibility by adjusting the range of the difference in refractive index between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase and the size of the particles in the dispersed phase has been proposed.
JP-A-60-184559 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-143950

  However, there is a demand for imparting a high level of light diffusibility and brightness over the prior art, and various improvements have been studied in terms of the composition, refractive index, particle shape, particle diameter, etc. of the light diffusing agent. However, the optical performance to be expressed is determined by the light diffusing agent to be blended, and it is difficult to achieve the optical performance required by the modification of the light diffusing agent.

  As a result of intensive studies in view of such problems, the present inventors have found that a composition comprising a transparent thermoplastic resin and a light diffusing agent is provided with a cyclic phosphite-based antioxidant, and optionally a fluorescent brightening agent. By blending, a thermoplastic resin composition capable of suppressing discoloration during molding and obtaining a light diffusing plate having higher brightness was found, and the present invention was completed.

  That is, the present invention is based on 100 parts by weight of the transparent thermoplastic resin (A), 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of the light diffusing agent (B), 0.01% of the cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C). Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light diffusibility, characterized by comprising 1 part by weight and 0 to 0.1 part by weight of a brightening agent (D), and a light diffusion plate formed by molding the same. Is.

  The light diffusing plate obtained by molding the thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light diffusibility of the present invention is used in all applications that require light diffusivity without causing yellowing of the hue of the thermoplastic resin and poor appearance. It is suitably used and has optical performance with less yolk and high brightness.

Examples of the transparent thermoplastic resin (A) used in the present invention include polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile / styrene copolymer, methacrylate / styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer, and the like. Examples thereof include styrene-based copolymers, polyesters, polyetherimides, polyimides, polyamides, modified polyphenylene ethers, polyarylate, cycloolefin polymers, and polymer alloys obtained by blending polycarbonate and polyester. In particular, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate / styrene copolymer, polyarylate, styrene copolymer resin, or cycloolefin polymer is preferably used.
The degree of transparency of the thermoplastic resin (A) is such that the observer recognizes the object when light is transmitted and the molded article of the resin is interposed between the observer and the object such as a light source. The performance that can be done.

  Among the transparent thermoplastic resins (A) used in the present invention, the polycarbonate resin is a phosgene method in which various dihydroxydiaryl compounds and phosgene are reacted, or a dihydroxydiaryl compound and a carbonate such as diphenyl carbonate are reacted. A typical example of the polymer obtained by the transesterification method is a polycarbonate resin produced from 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (bisphenol A).

  Examples of the dihydroxydiaryl compound include bisphenol 4-, bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) butane, 2, 2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) octane, bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) phenylmethane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl-3-methylphenyl) propane, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxy-3) -Tert-butylphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxy-3-bromophenyl) propane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromophenyl) propane, 2,2-bis ( Bis (hydroxyaryl) alkanes such as 4-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl) propane, 1,1- (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclopentane, bis (hydroxyaryl) cycloalkanes such as 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl ether, 4,4'-dihydroxy-3 Dihydroxy diaryl ethers such as 3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl ether, dihydroxy diaryl sulfides such as 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfoxide, 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3 ' -Dihydroxy diaryl sulfoxides such as dimethyldiphenyl sulfoxide, dihydroxy diary such as 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl sulfone Sulfone, and the like. These are used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types. In addition to these, piperazine, dipiperidyl hydroquinone, resorcin, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl, and the like may be mixed and used.

  Furthermore, the above dihydroxyaryl compound and a trivalent or higher phenol compound as shown below may be used in combination. Trihydric or higher phenols include phloroglucin, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -heptene, 2,4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri- (4 -Hydroxyphenyl) -heptane, 1,3,5-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -benzol, 1,1,1-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -ethane and 2,2-bis- [4 4- (4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl) -cyclohexyl] -propane and the like.

  The viscosity average molecular weight of the polycarbonate resin is usually 10,000 to 100,000, preferably 15,000 to 35,000, and more preferably 17,000 to 28,000. In producing such a polycarbonate resin, a molecular weight regulator, a catalyst and the like can be used as necessary.

  The light diffusing agent (B) used in the present invention is not particularly limited in terms of chemical composition such as polymer and inorganic, but the light diffusing agent (B) is added to the resin component (A) of the present invention. When dispersed by a known method such as melt mixing using an extruder, it is necessary that it is not compatible with the matrix phase or is present as particles that are hardly compatible.

Specific examples of the light diffusing agent (B) include calcium carbonate, silica, silicone, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, titanium phosphate, magnesium titanate, magnesium titanate, mica, glass filler, barium sulfate, clay, Inorganic diffusing agents such as talc, silicone rubber elastic, polymethylsilsesoxane, acrylic, styrene, polyester, polyolefin, urethane, nylon, methacrylate-styrene, fluorine, norbornene, etc. And organic diffusing agents.

  Furthermore, the particle size of the light diffusing agent (B) is not particularly limited as long as the desired light diffusibility can be obtained by adding the diffusing agent, but the average particle size is about 1 to 30 μm. Can be preferably used. If the thickness is less than 1 μm, only light is transmitted, and it may be difficult to obtain a light diffusion effect. On the other hand, if it exceeds 30 μm, a sufficient light diffusion effect cannot be obtained and visibility may be inferior. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as particle size distribution, However, It is about 0.1-100 micrometers, Furthermore, it can use more suitably in the range of 1.5-25 micrometers. Further, two or more kinds of light diffusing agents having different average particle sizes, particle size distributions, and types may be used in combination, and the particle size distribution is not uniform, and those having two or more particle size distributions are used alone or It can also be used in combination.

  The compounding amount of the light diffusing agent (B) is 0.1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the transparent thermoplastic resin (A). If the blending amount is less than 0.1 parts by weight, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient light diffusion effect, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the light transmission property is impaired, and sufficient light diffusion performance cannot be obtained. More preferably, it is the range of 0.2-6 weight part.

  Examples of the cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C) used in the present invention include those produced by reacting phenols or bisphenols, phosphorus trihalide and amine compounds. As a reaction method, a two-step reaction method is generally employed in which phenols or bisphenols and phosphorus trihalide are first reacted to form an intermediate, and then an amine compound is reacted. The reaction is usually performed in an organic solvent in an environment of 0 to 200 ° C. Among the cyclic phosphite antioxidants (C), 2,4,8,10-tetra-t-butyl-6- [3- (3-methyl-4hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) is particularly preferred. Propoxy] dibenzo [d, f] [1,3,2] dioxaphosphine is suitable, and is available as a commercial product, and Sumitomo GP manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. may be mentioned.

  The amount of the cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C) is 0.01 to 1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of the transparent thermoplastic resin (A). If the blending amount is less than 0.01 parts by weight, the luminance is greatly lowered after the retention, and if it exceeds 1 part by weight, the deterioration of the resin is promoted, which is not preferable.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, in order to make the color tone vivid, the fluorescent brightening agent (D) may be added up to 0.1 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the resin component (A). When the addition amount exceeds 0.1 parts by weight, the thermal stability is deteriorated, which is not preferable. More preferably, it is up to 0.03 parts by weight. Depending on the type of thermoplastic resin, it has the property of absorbing some of the blue light and has a slightly yellowish color. Therefore, a compound (fluorescent whitening agent) that emits blue or purple fluorescence corresponding to this yellow complementary color is used. When added, the fluorescence cancels the yellowish color and a vivid color tone can be obtained. A fluorescent whitening agent absorbs energy in the ultraviolet region and emits a wavelength range from blue to violet in the visible region. By using this in combination, a brighter color tone can be achieved while maintaining light diffusion performance. Obtainable.

  In the thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light diffusibility of the present invention, various known additives, polymers, and the like can be added as necessary depending on the performance required in addition to the light diffusibility. For example, in order to suppress discoloration of resin molded products when exposed to light for a long period of time, a hindered amine light-resistant stabilizer, benzotriazole-based, benzophenone-based, triazine-based and malonate-based UV absorbers and combinations thereof are used. May be added.

When flame retardancy is required, various known flame retardants, for example, brominated flame retardants such as tetrabromobisphenol A oligomers, monophosphate esters such as triphenyl phosphate and tricresyl phosphate, bisphenol A diesters, etc. In order to further enhance the flame retardancy, phosphorous flame retardants such as phosphate type, resorcin diphosphate, tetraxylenyl resorcin diphosphate, oligomer type condensed phosphates, ammonium polyphosphate and red phosphorus, various silicone flame retardants And metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acid and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid, preferably 4-methyl-N- (4-methylphenyl) sulfonyl-benzenesulfonamide potassium salt, diphenylsulfone- 3- potassium sulfonate, Potassium phenyl sulfonic -3-3'- disulfonic acid, sodium para-toluene sulfonic acid, also organic metal salts such as potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate and the like may be added. Among these flame retardants, phosphorus-based flame retardants can be suitably used because they can improve not only flame retardancy but also fluidity.

In the thermoplastic resin composition excellent in light diffusibility of the present invention, known additives other than those described above, such as phenol-based or phosphorus-based heat stabilizer [2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2- (1-methylcyclohexyl) -4,6-dimethylphenol, 4,4'-thiobis- (6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 2,2-methylenebis- (4-ethyl-6-t) -Methylphenol), n-octadecyl-3- (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, 4,4'- Biphenylene diphosphinic acid tetrakis- (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl), etc.], lubricant [paraffin wax, n-butyl stearate, synthetic beeswax, natural beeswax, glycerin monoes , Montanic acid wax, polyethylene wax, pentaerythritol tetrastearate, etc.], colorant [eg titanium oxide, carbon black, dye], filler [calcium carbonate, clay, silica, glass fiber, glass sphere, glass flake, carbon Fiber, talc, mica, various whiskers, etc.], fluidity improver, spreading agent [epoxidized soybean oil, liquid paraffin, etc.], and other thermoplastic resins and various impact modifiers (polybutadiene, polyacrylic acid) A rubber-reinforced resin obtained by graft polymerization of a compound such as methacrylic acid ester, styrene, acrylonitrile, etc. to a rubber such as an ester or ethylene / propylene rubber may be added as necessary.

  There is no restriction | limiting in the embodiment and order in this invention. For example, a transparent thermoplastic resin (A), a light diffusing agent (B), a cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C) and optionally a fluorescent brightening agent (D) are weighed in an arbitrary amount, A method of batch-mixing with a tumbler, riboblender, high-speed mixer, etc., then melt-kneading the mixture using a normal single-screw or twin-screw extruder, and pelletizing, or measuring each or part of each component separately In addition, a method of introducing into a extruder from a plurality of supply devices and melt-mixing, and further, a light diffusing agent (B) and / or a cyclic phosphite-based antioxidant for the transparent thermoplastic resin (A) Mixing agent (C) and / or fluorescent brightening agent (D) in high concentration, once melt-mixed and pelletized to make a masterbatch, then the desired masterbatch and transparent thermoplastic resin (A) Ratio of It can be mixed with. Then, when these components are melt-mixed, arbitrary conditions such as the position at which the extruder is introduced, the extrusion temperature, the screw rotation speed, the supply amount, and the like can be selected and pelletized. Furthermore, the masterbatch and the transparent thermoplastic resin (A) can be directly mixed into an injection molding apparatus or a sheet extruder apparatus after dry mixing at a desired ratio to obtain a molded product.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention, this invention is not limited to these Examples. Unless otherwise specified, “%” and “part” in the examples are based on weight standards.

The raw materials used are as follows.
Polycarbonate resin:
Sumitomo Dow Caliber 200-30
(Viscosity average molecular weight: 17200, hereinafter abbreviated as PC-1)
Caliber 200-3 manufactured by Sumitomo Dow
(Viscosity average molecular weight: 28000, hereinafter abbreviated as PC-2)
Light diffusing agent:
MSP-S020 made by Nikko Rica
(Polymethylsilsesoxane-based diffusing agent, hereinafter abbreviated as LD-1)
GM-0449S manufactured by Gantz Kasei
(Acrylic diffusing agent, hereinafter abbreviated as LD-2)
Antioxidant:
Sumitomo Chemical Sumitizer GP
(Cyclic phosphite-based antioxidant, hereinafter abbreviated as AO-1)
Sand stub P-EPQ made by Clariant Japan
(Phosphorus antioxidant hereinafter abbreviated as AO-2)
Optical brightener:
HOSTARUX KSN made by Clariant Japan

Various evaluation items and the measurement method in the present invention will be described.
1. Evaluation of thermal stability When making a flat plate test piece using an injection molding machine, the resin is allowed to stay in the cylinder for 15 minutes, and then normal injection molding is performed and optical measurement of the third shot flat plate test piece is performed. The thermal stability was evaluated.

2. Measurement of shielding factor The shielding factor in the present invention represents the amount of light that does not transmit in the visible light wavelength region, 380 to 720 nm, is calculated by the following general formula, and is an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (V-manufactured by JASCO Corporation). 570).
Shielding rate (%) = {1− (transmitted light amount / 34,000)} × 100
When the shielding rate calculated by the measurement method was in the range of 60 to 85%, it was determined to be acceptable (◯), and other cases were determined to be unacceptable (x). Outside this range, the lamp-to-lamp brightness decreases, and a sufficient brightness cannot be obtained.

3. Measurement of Luminance Two cold cathode tubes were placed on the back side of a flat test piece (90 mm × 50 mm × 2 mm thickness), and the luminance on the surface of the test piece in the vertical direction between the lamps was measured. The luminance means the ratio of the luminous intensity directed in a certain direction per unit area in a plane perpendicular to the direction, and generally represents the degree of brightness of the light emitting surface [unit: (cd / m ² ). ].
The criteria for evaluation of the initial injection molded specimens, passes the test measurements of the ramp between the luminance is 2500 cd / ^{m 2} or more (○), was judged as unsatisfactory those which are less than 2500cd / ^{m 2} (×) .
As a standard for evaluation of the test piece after staying, the same luminance measurement as that of the initial injection-molded test piece is performed, and the amount of decrease is less than 50 Cd / m 2 is acceptable (◯), and is 50 Cd / m 2 or more. Things were rejected (x).

4). Measurement of bluishness b * was measured with a spectrophotometer CMS-35SP manufactured by Murakami Color Research Co., Ltd. using a flat plate test piece prepared by injection molding. b * represents the degree from yellow to blue, and the smaller b *, the less yellow and the stronger blue.

5. Comprehensive judgment In the evaluation of the shielding rate, luminance, and moldability, a sample satisfying all of the criteria was accepted (◯), and a sample not satisfying it was rejected (x).

(Example 1 to Example 6)
According to the blending ratio shown in Table 1, the polycarbonate resin (PC-1), the light diffusing agent (LD-1) and the cyclic phosphate ester antioxidant (AO-1) were dry-mixed by a super floater (manufactured by Kawata). . Subsequently, the mixture was melt-kneaded under a temperature condition of 250 to 290 ° C. by a twin screw extruder (KTX-37 manufactured by Kobe Steel) (shaft diameter = 37 mmφ, L / D = 30). Using an injection molding machine (J100E2P manufactured by Nippon Steel Co., Ltd.), flat plate test pieces having a length of 90 mm, a width of 50 mm, and a thickness of 2 mm were prepared under the conditions of a cylinder set temperature of 300 ° C. The same injection molding was used for the thermal stability test. The sample was retained in the cylinder for 15 minutes at a temperature of 320 ° C. using a machine, and then optical measurement was performed on a test piece for the third shot under normal injection molding conditions.
Regarding the optical performance, the shielding rate and the luminance between the lamps were good, and the decrease in luminance after residence was very small. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 7)
Except changing the kind of polycarbonate resin to PC-2, operation similar to Example 2 was performed and the flat test piece was created. Regarding the optical performance, the shielding rate and the luminance between the lamps were good, and the luminance after dwelling was also good. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 8 to Example 9)
The same operation as in Example 2 was performed except that the type of light diffusing agent was changed to LD-2, and the addition amount thereof was changed to 1.5 parts in Example 8 and 6 parts in Example 9. A test piece was prepared. Regarding the optical performance, the shielding rate and the luminance between the lamps were good, and the luminance after dwelling was also good. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 10)
A plate test piece was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except that 0.01 part of the optical brightener was added to Example 2. The shielding rate and inter-lamp brightness were also good results. In addition, the color tone showed a decrease in b * in comparison with Example 2, and also exhibited a vivid blue tint visually. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Comparative Examples 1 to 3)
In Comparative Example 1, LD-1 is 0.03 part as a light diffusing agent, in Comparative Example 2, LD-1 is 0.05 part as a light diffusing agent, and in Comparative Example 3, LD-2 is 15 parts as a light diffusing agent. Except changing, the same operation as Example 2 was performed and the flat test piece was created. The evaluation results are shown in Table 4.
Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 are examples where the blending amount of the light diffusing agent is less than the constituent requirements of the present invention, and Comparative Example 4 is an example where the blending amount of the light diffusing agent is greater than the constituent requirements of the present invention. However, the luminance between the lamps was inferior in all the test pieces and was rejected.

(Comparative Examples 4 to 8)
About Comparative Examples 4-8, it is the same composition as Examples 1-5, but performs the same operation as Example 2 as a composition which does not add cyclic phosphite-type antioxidant, and produces a flat test piece did. The evaluation results are shown in Table 5.
In Comparative Examples 4 to 6, since the cyclic phosphite-based antioxidant as a constituent element of the present invention was not added, the decrease in luminance after staying exceeded the specified range and failed.
Moreover, about Comparative Examples 7-8, it is the case where the cyclic phosphite antioxidant (AO-1) is changed to a general phosphorus antioxidant (AO-2) with the same composition as in Examples 4-5. Yes, the same operation as in Example 2 was performed to prepare a flat plate test piece. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
Since Comparative Examples 7-8 differed in the kind of antioxidant of structural requirements, the fall of the brightness | luminance after a residence exceeded a regulation range, and was disqualified.

It is a figure which shows the measuring method of the brightness | luminance between lamps of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A: Luminance meter B: Light beam C: Light diffusion plate D: Lamp (cold cathode tube)

Claims (6)

  0.1 to 10 parts by weight of light diffusing agent (B), 0.01 to 1 part by weight of cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C) and fluorescence with respect to 100 parts by weight of transparent thermoplastic resin (A) A thermoplastic resin composition having light diffusibility, comprising 0 to 0.1 parts by weight of a brightener (D).   Cyclic phosphite antioxidant (C) is 2,4,8,10-tetra-t-butyl-6- [3- (3-methyl-4hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) propoxy] 2. The thermoplastic resin composition having excellent light diffusibility according to claim 1, which is dibenzo [d, f] [1,3,2] dioxaphosphine.   The transparent thermoplastic resin (A) is one or more selected from polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate / styrene copolymer, polyarylate, styrene copolymer resin, and cycloolefin polymer. 3. The thermoplastic resin composition having excellent light diffusibility according to claim 1 or 2.   The light diffusing plate formed from the thermoplastic resin composition excellent in the light diffusibility as described in any one of Claims 1-3.   The light diffusing plate according to claim 4, which is used for a liquid crystal display. The light diffusing plate according to claim 4, which is used for a direct type backlight of a liquid crystal display.

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