Polystyrene clarified blend and method for making same

Abstract

A polystyrene copolymer blend product achieving an optimal combination of haze/clarity, strength, toughness/snap, and organoleptic properties is provided. The polystyrene copolymer blend product includes a first layer forming about 2 to about 6 weight percent of the total weight percent of the product. The first layer includes from about 95 to about 100 weight percent of GPPS or HIPS, based on the weight of the layer. The polystyrene copolymer blend product includes a second (and optional third and fourth) layer(s) that firm about 98 to about 94 weight percent of the product. The second (and optional third and fourth) layer(s) include about 23 to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from either about 35 to about 70 weight percent, such as from about 50 to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 to about 17 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

Claims

1. A polystyrene copolymer blend product, comprising: a first layer comprising about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of a total weight of the product; and a second, along with an optional third and optional fourth layer, comprising about 98 weight percent to about 94 weight percent of the total weight of the product, wherein the first layer comprises about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of GPPS or HIPS, based on the weight of the first layer, and the second, optional third layer, and optional fourth layer each independently comprise about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 to about 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein the GPP exhibits a melt flow from about 1.6 g/10 min to about 4.5 g/10 min at a load of 5.00 kg and a temperature of 200 C., per ASTM D 1238.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a thickness between about 0.020 inches and about 0.060 inches.

4. The product of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a thickness of less than about 0.020 inches.

5. The product of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a thickness of greater than about 0.060 inches.

6. The product of claim 1, wherein the product exhibits a sheet haze ranging from about 0 to 70 for product having a thickness of 0.020 inches, based on ASTM D 1746.

7. The product of claim 6, wherein the product has a sheet haze ranging from about 0 to about 30 for product having a thickness of 0.020 inches, based on ASTM D 1746.

8. The product of claim 1, wherein the second layer, the optional third layer and the optional fourth layer include from about 25 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

9. The product of claim 1, wherein the second layer, the optional third layer and the optional fourth layer includes about 33 weight percent of GPPS, about 60 weight percent of SBC, and about 7 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

10. The product of claim 1, wherein the copolymer blend for the second layer, the optional third layer and the optional fourth layer comprises about 30 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to 10 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

11. A food package comprising a polystyrene copolymer blend product as claimed in claim 1.

12. An appliance housing, a household accessory, or a medical device comprising a polystyrene copolymer blend as claimed in claim 1.

13. The product of claim 1, wherein the second layer, the optional third layer and the optional fourth layer comprise (a) from about 60 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, (b) from about 23 weight percent to about 33 weight percent of GPPS, and (c) from about 2 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

14. The product of claim 13, wherein the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer comprise about 60 weight percent of SBC, about 33 percent of GPPS, and about 7 weight percent of HIPS.

15. A process of manufacturing a polystyrene copolymer blend product comprising: overlaying a first layer with a second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer by applying a standard processing method for thermoplastics, wherein the overlaying comprises: extruding a first layer that comprises about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of a total weight of the product; and extruding a second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer that comprise about 98 weight percent to about 94 weight percent of the total weight of the product; wherein the first layer comprises about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of GPPS or HIPS, based on the weight of the layer, and the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer comprise about 23 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of GPPS, from about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to about 17 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the standard processing method for thermoplastics comprises one or more of: blown film extruding; extrusion blow molding; forming extrusion profiles, films and sheet; and injection molding.

17. The process of claim 15, wherein the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer include from about 25 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

18. The process of claim 15, wherein the copolymer blend for the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer comprises about 30 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to 10 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

19. The process of claim 15, wherein the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer comprises (a) from about 60 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, (b) from about 23 weight percent to about 33 weight percent of GPPS, and (c) from about 2 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein the second layer, optional third layer and optional fourth layer comprises 60 weight percent of SBC, about 33 percent of GPPS, and about 7 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an example of a polystyrene copolymer structure, according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows another example of a polystyrene copolymer structure, according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an example of a 3 layer polystyrene copolymer structure, according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of a 4 layer polystyrene copolymer structure, according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary schematic of a process for creating a polystyrene copolymer structure, according to the principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ADVANTAGEOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an example of a polystyrene copolymer structure according to the present disclosure. The structure includes at least one top layer, also referred to herein as the A-layer, and at least one bottom layer, also referred to herein as the B-layer. The top layer may also be referred to as a first layer and the bottom layer may also be referred to as a second layer (with optional additional bottom layer(s) being referred to as third and fourth layer(s), respectively). The top layer forms about 4 percentabout 2 percent of the structure, based on weight, and is comprised of from about 95 to about 100 weight percent general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). The bottom layer forms about 96 percentabout 2 percent of the structure, based on weight, and comprises a polystyrene (PS) blend. The combined thickness of the top and bottom layers may be between about 0.020 inches and about 0.060 inches. Alternatively, the combined thickness may be greater than 0.060 inches, or less than 0.020 inches, as well.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows another example of a polystyrene copolymer structure according to the present disclosure. The structure includes at least one top layer, also referred to herein as the A-layer, and at least one bottom layer, also referred to herein as the B-layer. The top layer forms about 4 percentabout 2 percent of the structure, based on weight, and is comprised of high impact polystyrene (HIPS). The bottom layer forms about 96 percentabout 2 percent of the structure, based on weight, and comprises a polystyrene (PS) blend. The combined thickness of the top and bottom layers may be between about 0.020 inches and about 0.060 inches. Alternatively, the combined thickness may be greater than 0.060 inches, or less than 0.020 inches, as well.

[0035] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show examples of the two polystyrene copolymer blend structures according to the present disclosure. As shown, the first layer in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the layer. The second, third and fourth layer each independently include about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from either about 35 to 60 weight percent of SBC or about 50 to 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 7 weight percent to about 17 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the respective layer.

[0036] Suitable GPPS for incorporation into the inventive products, layer(s) and polystyrene copolymer blends include any general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) known in the extrusion, molding and/or thermoforming arts. Consequently, the GPPS may be any standard grade, such as, e.g., PS 1200/1201, PS 1290/1291, PS 1300/1301, PS 2600/2601, and PS 2610 GPPS, all from INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH; PS 3100; PSC 529, PSC 525 and PSC 500, all from Total Petrochemicals, Inc, and so on. General purpose polystyrene, well known in the art as a hard, transparent material with a high gloss, is also referred to in the art as standard polystyrene, normal polystyrene, clear polystyrene, or styrene homopolymer. As known in the art, GPPS has a density of about 1.04 g/cc. Suitable GPPS grades generally range in melt flow from about 1.6 g/10 min to about 4.5 g/10 min at a load of 5.00 kg and a temperature of 200 C., per ASTM D 1238.

[0037] The inventive polystyrene copolymer blends further include styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), which may include any standard grade suitable for extrusion and/or thermoforming and the like. Exemplary SBCs include STYROLUX 684D SBC, STYROLUX 3G55 SBC, STYROLUX 3G46 SBC, STYROFLEX 2G66 SBC, all from INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH, and so on. SBC is well known in the art as a thermoplastic resin that is transparent and impact-resistant. It is used to provide a high optical appearance. As known in the art, SBC has a density of about 1.0 to 1.02 g/cc. Suitable SBC grades generally range in melt flow from about 11 g/10 min to about 15 g/10 min at a load of 5.00 kg and a temperature of 200 C. per ASTM D 1238.

[0038] The inventive polystyrene copolymer blends may further include high impact polystyrene (HIPS). HIPS is well known in the art as a two phase system having a polystyrene matrix with polybutadiene disperse phase, and also referred to as toughened polystyrene or rubber-modified polystyrene. Suitable HIPS grades include any standard grade suitable in the extrusion, molding and/or thermoforming arts. Exemplary HIPS grades include PS 5300, PS 5310, PS 5400/5401, PS 5410, PS 6200/6201, PS 6210/6211, PS 6220, PS 7120, and PS7800, all from INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH: 844E, 845E, 935E, 940E, 975E, 825E, 945E, and 960E, all from Total Petrochemcials, Inc.; and EB/EC6400, EB/EC6600, STYRON 421, and STYRO 484, all from Americas Styrenics LLC, and so on. HIPS is well known in the art as a thermoplastic resin that has elevated toughness and impact-resistance, but low transparency due to light scattering induced by the disperse phase. As known in the art, HIPS has a density of about 1.04 g/cc. Suitable HIPS grades generally range in melt flow from about 2.0 g/10 min to about 14.5 g 10 min at a load of 5.00 kg and a temperature of 200 C. per ASTM D 1238.

[0039] FIG. 5 discloses an example of a process 400 for manufacturing a polystyrene copolymer blend product in accordance with the present disclosure. At S410, the process includes extruding (or carrying out an extrusion process on) a first layer that comprises about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the layer may include about 100 percent (+/5 percent) of a standard grade general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). Alternatively, the first layer may include about 100 percent (+/5 percent) of standard grade high impact polystyrene (HIPS). At S420, the process includes extruding (or carrying out the extrusion process on) a second (and optionally a third and fourth) layer that forms about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the second (and optionally a third and fourth) layer may include a polystyrene blend.

[0040] At S420, the process of extruding (or carrying out the extrusion process on) the second (and optional third and fourth) layer(s) may include providing about 55 weight percent to about 70 weight percent (preferably between about 60 weight percent and about 65 percent) of styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), about 25 weight percent to about 40 weight percent (preferably between 28 and 35 percent) of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS), and about 0 weight percent to about 15 weight percent (preferably between about 5 and 10 percent) of high impact polystyrene (HIPS), all based upon the weight of the respective layer. Alternatively, if the first layer includes about 100 weight percent of HIPS, the second (and optional third and fourth) layer may include providing about 60 weight percent to about 70 weight percent (preferably about 65 percent) of SBC, about 23 weight percent to about 33 weight percent (preferably about 28 percent) of GPPS, and about 2 weight percent to about 12 weight percent (preferably about 7 percent) of HIPS, all based upon the weight of the respective layer.

[0041] The process 400 may include any standard extrusion processing method for processing thermoplastics, including, blown film; extrusion blow moulding; extrusion profiles, film and sheet; injection molding, including gas assisted, and so on.

[0042] The process 400 may further include forming a further subsequent end-product or part from the first and second (and optional, third and fourth) layers, such as a yogurt cup or the like, where the product has a predetermined thickness. The predetermined thickness of the copolymer blend products and end-products therefrom may be between about 0.020 inches and about 0.060 inches. Alternatively, the predetermined thickness of the copolymer blend products and end-products therefrom may be less than about 0.020 inches. The predetermined thickness of the copolymer blend products and end-products therefrom may likewise be greater than about 0.060 inches. The predetermined thickness of the copolymer blend products may vary based on one or more of a sheet thickness, a final part design, an end product requirement, and the like.

[0043] The polystyrene copolymer blends products of the present disclosure have low haze/high transparency with high strength/high stiffness compared to conventional polystyrene blends. The blends and blend products also do not have a noticeable odor, which is an important organoleptic characteristic that is often missing in other polystyrene blends. The copolymer blend products may be suitable in applications that require clear and tough parts, such as, e.g., manufacture of appliance housings, household accessories, medical parts, food containers, and so on.

Example 1

[0044] A non-limiting example of a polystyrene copolymer blend product that is created according to the principles of the disclosure is shown in Table 1. This blend product includes (1) at least one top layer comprising about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the blend product, wherein the top layer includes about 100 weight percent (+/about 5 percent) of standard grades of GPPS based on the weight of the top layer and (2) at least one bottom layer comprising about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the blend product, wherein the bottom layer may include (a) from either about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC or from about 35 weight percent to 60) weight percent SBC, (b) from about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, and (c) from about 0 weight percent to about 17 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 percent percent percent percent (wt.) (wt.) bottom percent (wt.) (wt.) SBC top layer in layer in (wt.) GPPS in in percent (wt.) copolymer copolymer GPPS in bottom bottom HIPS in FORMULATION product product top layer layer layer bottom layer Preferred 4 96 100 30 60 10 Blend Specific 2-6 94-98 95-100 25-35 50-65 5-17 Range Broad 2-6 94-98 95-100 23-43 50-70 0-17 Range

[0045] As shown in Table 1 above, the preferred copolymer structure for the blend product includes about 4 weight percent for the top layer and about 96 weight percent for the bottom layer, based on the weight of the blend product. The broad range for the top layer of the copolymer blend is about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the total weight of the blend product. The broad range for the bottom layer of the copolymer blend product is about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the total weight of the blend product.

[0046] The preferred copolymer blend product may include about 100 weight percent of GPPS in the top layer. The broad range for the top layer of the copolymer blend product may include about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of GPPS, based on the weight of the top layer.

[0047] For the bottom layer, the preferred copolymer blend may include about 30 weight percent of GPPS, about 60 weight percent of SBC, and about 10 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0048] The broad range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include from about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to about 17 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0049] The specific range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include from about 25 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0050] This copolymer blend results in improved haze/clarity properties with enhanced toughness and stiffness. The haze values from the Example 1 of the present disclosure are listed in Table 2 below. The minimum target may be 0 and the maximum target may vary as a function of thickness. The values are listed based on thickness of 0.020 and 0.051. Sheet haze was determined within each of the examples below in accordance with ASTM D 1746.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Property Value Sheet haze, 0.020 56.2 Minimum sheet haze, 0.020 0.0 Maximum sheet haze, 0.020 70.0 Sheet haze, 0.051 74.2 Minimum sheet haze, 0.051 0.0 Maximum sheet haze, 0.051 80.0

Example 2

[0051] Another non-limiting example of a polystyrene copolymer blend product that is created according to the principles of the disclosure is shown in Table 3. This blend product includes (1) a top layer forming about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the top layer may include about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent (preferably about 100 percent) of standard grades of GPPS, based on the weight of the layer and (2) a bottom layer forming about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the bottom layer includes (a) from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent (preferably 60 percent) of SBC, (b) from about 30 weight percent to about 40 weight percent (preferably about 35 percent) of GPPS, and (c) from about 0 weight percent to about 10 weight percent (preferably about 5 percent) of HIPS, based on the weight of the layer.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 percent percent percent percent (wt.) percent (wt.) (wt.) (wt.) percent (wt.) GPPS (wt.) GPPS SBC in HIPS in top layer in bottom layer in top in bottom bottom bottom FORMULATION copolymer in copolymer layer layer(s) layer(s) layer(s) Preferred 4 96 100 35 60 5 Blend Specific 2-6 94-98 100 30-40 55-65 0-10 Range Broad 2-6 94-98 95-100 23-43 50-70 0-17 Range

[0052] As shown in Table 3 above, the preferred copolymer blend product includes about 4 weight percent of a the total weight percent of the blend product for the top layer and about 96 weight percent of the total weight percent of the blend product for the bottom layer. The broad range for the top layer of the copolymer blend product includes about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the total weight of the blend product. The broad range for the bottom layer of the copolymer blend product includes about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the total weight of the blend product.

[0053] The preferred copolymer blend may include about 100 weight percent of GPPS in the top layer. The broad range of the copolymer blend for the top layer may include from about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of GPPS, based on the weight of the layer. For the bottom layer, the preferred copolymer blend may include about 35 weight percent of GPPS, about 60 weight percent of SBC, and about 5 weight percent of HIPS based on the weight of the bottom layer. The broad range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include from about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 to 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0054] The specific range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include about 30 to about 40 weight percent of GPPS, from about 55 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to 10 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0055] This copolymer blend results in improved haze/clarity properties with enhanced toughness and stiffness. The haze values from the example 2 of the present disclosure are listed in Table 5 below, based on ASTM D 1746. The minimum target may be 0 and the maximum target may vary as a function of thickness. The values are listed based on thicknesses of 0.020 and 0.051.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Property Value Sheet haze, 0.020 27.9 Minimum sheet haze, 0.020 0.0 Maximum sheet haze, 0.020 40.0 Sheet haze, 0.051 40.0 Minimum sheet haze, 0.051 0.0 Maximum sheet haze, 0.051 50.0

Example 3

[0056] Another non-limiting example of a polystyrene copolymer blend product that is created according to the principles of the disclosure is shown in Table 5. This blend product includes (1) a top layer including about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the top layer may include about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent (preferably about 100 percent) of standard grades of HIPS, based on the weight of the top layer and (2) a bottom layer comprising about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer blend product, wherein the bottom layer includes (a) from about 60 weight percent to about 70 weight percent (preferably 65 percent) of SBC, (b) from about 23 weight percent to about 33 weight percent (preferably about 28 percent) of GPPS, and (c) from about 2 weight percent to about 12 weight percent (preferably about 7 percent) of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 percent percent percent percent (wt.) percent (wt.) (wt.) (wt.) percent (wt.) bottom (wt.) HIPS GPPS in SBC in HIPS in top layer in layer in in top bottom bottom bottom FORMULATION copolymer copolymer layer layer(s) layer(s) layer(s) Preferred Blend 4 96 100 28 65 7 Specific Range 2-6 94-98 100 23-33 60-70 2-12 Broad Range 2-6 94-98 95-100 23-40 55-70 0-15

[0057] As shown in Table 5 above, the preferred copolymer structure for the copolymer blend product includes about 4 weight percent of the total weight of the product for the top layer and about 96 weight percent of the total weight of the product for the bottom layer. The broad range for the top layer of the copolymer blend product is about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent of the copolymer blend product. The broad range for the bottom layer of the copolymer blend product is about 94 weight percent to about 98 weight percent of the copolymer blend product.

[0058] The preferred copolymer blend product may include about 100 weight percent of HIPS in the top layer, based on the weight of the top layer. The broad range of the copolymer blend for the top layer of the copolymer blend product may include from about 95 weight percent to about 100 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the opt layer. For the bottom layer, the preferred copolymer blend may include about 28 weight percent of GPPS, about 65 weight percent of SBC, and about 7 weight percent of HIPS. The broad range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include from about 23 weight percent to about 43 weight percent of GPPS, from about 50 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 0 weight percent to 15 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0059] The specific range of the copolymer blend for the bottom layer may include about 23 weight percent to about 33 weight percent of GPPS, from about 60 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of SBC, and from about 2 weight percent to 12 weight percent of HIPS, based on the weight of the bottom layer.

[0060] This copolymer blend results in improved haze/clarity properties with enhanced toughness and stiffness. The haze values from the example 3 of the present disclosure are listed in Table 6 below, based upon ASTM D 1746. The minimum haze target may be 0 and the maximum haze target may vary as a function of thickness. The values are listed based on thickness of 0.020 and 0.051.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Property Value Measured Sheet haze, 0.020 16.4 Minimum Sheet haze, 0.020 0.0 Maximum Sheet haze, 0.020 30 Measured Sheet haze, 0.051 NIA Minimum Sheet haze, 0.051 NIA Maximum Sheet haze, 0.051 NIA

[0061] The terms including, comprising and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean including, but not limited to, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0062] The terms a, an, and the, as used in this disclosure, means one or more, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0063] The term about, as used in this disclosure, means plus or minus ten percent range.

[0064] Although process steps, method steps, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0065] When a single layer or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one layer or article may be used in place of a single layer or article. The functionality or the features of a layer or article may be alternatively embodied by one or more other layers or articles which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features.

[0066] All ranges include each integer subsumed therein, to at least the hundredth place value.

[0067] Each element of the invention may be used interchangeably within any embodiment of the invention, unless noted to the contrary or its unsuitability is obvious from the context.