WO2013081957A1

WO2013081957A1 - Coated transparent polymeric materials, coating compositions for transparent polymeric materials, and methods for manufacturing coated transparent polymeric materials using such coating compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2013081957A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/066506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaorong You; Philip M. Johnson
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-26
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-30

Abstract

Coating compositions, coated transparent polymeric materials, and methods for manufacturing coated transparent polymeric materials are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a coating composition for a transparent polymeric material comprises a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof, a solvent, a fluorinated material, and a conductive material. The conductive material does not cause a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition to less hydrophobicity than a thermally cured coating resulting from a comparable coating composition without the conductive material. A thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition exhibits a water contact angle of greater than 90° as measured by a goniometer when applied in a single coat on the transparent polymeric material.

Description

COATED TRANSPARENT POLYMERIC MATERIALS, COATING COMPOSITIONS

FOR TRANSPARENT POLYMERIC MATERIALS, AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING COATED TRANSPARENT POLYMERIC MATERIALS USING

SUCH COATING COMPOSITIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to coated transparent polymeric material, coating compositions for transparent polymeric material, and methods for coating transparent polymeric material, and more particularly relates to coated transparent polymeric material with abrasion resistance, hydrophobic properties, and antistatic properties, coating compositions that impart abrasion resistance, hydrophobic properties, and antistatic properties to transparent polymeric material, and methods for manufacturing coated transparent polymeric material using such coating compositions.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Transparent polymeric materials are used for a variety of products through which light is transmitted for viewing an image. The transparent polymeric material typically has a first surface and a second surface. One surface can be curved relative to the other to change the direction of light to the eye, such as in an ophthalmic lens of eyeglasses, or, alternatively, the surfaces can be parallel, such as in a television screen or a face shield of a protective helmet. Common lens-forming materials include CR-39 (diethyleneglycol bisallyl carbonate), bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC), and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). Despite the above noted benefits to transparent polymeric materials, one serious drawback has been their susceptibility to scratching, particularly compared to traditional glass.

[0004] Consequently, such transparent polymer surfaces have required treatment to provide a scratch- and/or abrasion-resistant layer on the surface to increase the field durability of the polymer material and retard the development of haze. Further, additional coating layers and steps may be required in connection with the scratch resistant coating. Both front and back coatings can be applied in different ways such as dip coating or spin coating. Multiple coatings may also be necessary to obtain other desirable properties such as a mirror coating, and stain and smudge resistance.

[0005] In this regard, much research has been devoted to providing coatings for transparent polymeric materials to improve their abrasion resistance. In one coating method, coatings are applied sequentially in a multi-step process with a finish hard coat layer. As with many of the other coating processes, conventionally cured hard coat finishes also have several drawbacks. In general, some of the coating materials require that a primer be applied separately. While thermally cured hard coatings provide superior scratch resistance, they also require long cure times and high energy consumption for solvent evaporation. UV hard coatings provide fast cure, huge energy savings and high throughput production. However, the scratch resistance is generally poorer than that with thermally cured hard coatings.

[0006] In addition, all of the above noted coatings are susceptible to dirt collection and smudging. The surface can be cleaned by wiping with a surfactant-treated cloth or paper tissue, but the cleaning is temporary and the surface will become smudged in a short period of time, requiring repeated cleaning. Until recently, there are primarily two general methods of providing anti-fouling, anti-fingerprint, and easy cleaning features. One type is a surface treatment in the form of an over coating via a two-step process. The other type is UV curable or UV/thermally curable coating via polyfunctional acrylates. The disadvantage of the two-step surface treatment is that it is expensive and is difficult to use for high volume production, especially, for disposable protective articles. The shortcoming of a UV curable or UV/thermally curable coating via polyfunctional acrylates is that it results in relatively poor abrasion resistance as compared to the superior thermally curable polysiloxane/polyurethane based coating.

[0007] Still further, polymer materials are good insulators and as such can support the buildup of high static charges. Static electricity is produced by charge separation caused by the movement of one material over another, for instance, by the passage of film over rollers, by high velocity cooling air passing over surfaces, or by incidental contact between polymer parts during transport or storage. The build-up of static charge can result in increased handling problems during transport, storage, and packing, dust contamination affecting both the appearance and performance of end products, the risk of electrical shock to instrument operators, and risk of electrical discharge causing fire or explosion. [0008] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide transparent polymer materials that offer easy cleaning features, that have superior abrasion resistance, and that have antistatic features. In addition, it is desirable to provide transparent polymeric material coating compositions that impart to transparent polymeric materials resistance to dirt collection, smudging, and abrasion, antistatic features, cost effectiveness, long lives and suitableness for high volume production. It is also desirable to provide a method for manufacturing coated transparent polymeric materials that have abrasion resistance, hydrophobic qualities, and antistatic properties, the method being a one-step application process that thermally cures the overlying coating composition. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0008] Coating compositions, coated transparent polymeric materials, and methods for manufacturing coated transparent polymeric materials are provided herein. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition for a transparent polymeric material comprises a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof, a solvent, a fluorinated material, and a conductive material. The conductive material does not cause a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition to less hydrophobicity than a thermally cured coating resulting from a comparable coating composition without the conductive material. A thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition exhibits a water contact angle of greater than 90° as measured by a goniometer when applied in a single coat on the transparent polymeric material.

[0009] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a method for forming a coated transparent polymeric material comprises providing a transparent polymeric material and preparing a coating composition. The coating composition comprises a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof, a solvent, a fluorinated material, and a conductive material that does not cause a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition to exhibit less hydrophobicity than a thermally cured coating resulting from a comparable coating composition without the conductive material. The coating composition is applied to the transparent polymeric material and the solvent is evaporated. The transparent polymeric material is subjected to a thermal treatment after evaporating the solvent to cure the polysiloxane, the polyurethane, the oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, the polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or the combination thereof.

[0010] In a further exemplary embodiment, a coated transparent polymeric material comprises a transparent polymeric material having a first surface and a coating overlying the first surface. The coating comprises a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof, a fluorinated material that imparts an overall hydrophobic quality to the coating, and a conductive material that does not cause the coating to have an overall hydrophobic quality less than an overall hydrophobic quality of the coating if the conductive material was not present in the coating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0011] The various exemplary embodiments contemplated herein are directed to coated transparent polymeric materials, coating compositions for transparent polymeric materials, and methods for manufacturing such coated transparent polymeric materials. The coating compositions include a thermally-curable polysiloxane(s) or polyurethane(s), or a combination thereof, and a fluorinated material and conductive material incorporated therein. Compared to conventional coating compositions, the coating compositions contemplated herein can be applied in a single application and thermally cured, thus decreasing the cost and time of manufacturing and increasing production. The fluorinated material causes the thermally-cured coatings to exhibit hydrophobicity without altering the curing properties or the optical or mechanical performance of the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane components. The hydrophobic surface of the transparent polymeric material exhibits scratch and abrasion resistance. Further, the conductive material is chosen such that it imparts antistatic qualities to the thermally-cured coating without adversely affecting the hydrophobic surface properties resulting from the fluorinated material. Thus, the resulting coated transparent polymeric materials are resistant to abrasion, scratching, stains, and markings, dissipates static charge, and can easily be cleaned by wiping with a clean cloth, tissue paper, or the like.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the coated transparent polymeric material contemplated herein comprises a transparent polymeric material. Examples of transparent polymeric materials suitable for use include, but are not limited to, allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39 or ADC), bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC), and poly(methylmethacrylate)(PMMA). The material can have any size and shape as is suitable for a desired application but generally has a first surface through which light enters and a second surface through which the light departs. The first surface may be curved relative to the second surface or the second surface may be curved relative to the first surface and thus may distort light transmitting through the polymeric material, as in the cases of lenses. Alternatively, the first and second surfaces may be parallel, thus distorting relatively no light transmitting therethrough, and may both be flat or may both be curved, for example, as in display screens for LED devices, television or computer screens or the like, or as in face shields for protective helmets, respectively. The transparent polymeric material may be clear, having no color, or may have color.

[0013] The coated transparent polymeric material contemplated herein further comprises a thermally-cured coating overlying the first surface and, optionally, the second surface of the polymeric material. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof. Examples of polysiloxanes suitable for use in the coating contemplated herein include, but are not limited to aminosilanes, epoxysilanes, linear siloxanes, cyclic siloxanes, and the like. Examples of polyurethanes suitable for use in the coating contemplated herein are based on polyisocyanates that include, but are not limited to, Witcobond® W-290H and Witcobond® A- 100 available from Chemtura Corporation of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bayhydur® 302, Bayhydur® XP-7165, and Desmodur® DA-L available from Bayer Material Science of Germany, and Easaqua XD 401 and Easaqua XM 501 available from Perstorp Group of Sweden. These polysiloxanes and polyurethanes are thermally curable and, thus, provide abrasion resistance superior to oligomers and polymers that are ultravioletly curable.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating further comprises a fluorinated material. The fluorinated material is incorporated into the coating to impart an overall hydrophobic quality to the coating without altering the curing properties or the optical or mechanical performance of the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane component. As used herein, the term "overall hydrophobic quality" means that, on a macroscopic level, the coating exhibits hydrophobicity. As discussed in more detail below, the coating, as fabricated, is solvent-based. Accordingly, in one embodiment, to facilitate compatibility between the polar fluorinated material and the solvent-based polysiloxane and/or polyurethane component, the fluorinated material comprises a fluorosurfactant polyol. Fluorosurfactant polyols also improve the compatibility between polar solvents, to be discussed below, and the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane. Examples of fluorosurfactant polyols suitable for use in the coatings contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, PolyFox® PF-636, PF-656, PF-6320 and PF-6520 available from Omnova Solutions of Akron, Ohio, FSDS fluorosurfactant diol for solvent systems from PCI Group, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona, and alkyl alcohols such as Zonyl® BA (1, 1,2,2,-tetrahydroperfluoro-l- alkanols (C₆-C₁₈)), Zonyl® FTS (2-(perfluoroalkyl)ethyl stearate), Zonyl® TBC (triperfluoroalkyl citrate) and Zonyl® BA-L (2-(perfluoroalkyl)ethanol) available from I.E. DuPont de Nemours of Wilmington, Delaware. In another embodiment, the fluorinated material is a fluorinated hydrocarbon silane. Examples of fluorinated hydrocarbon silanes suitable for use in the contemplated coating include, but are not limited to, nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane, nonafluorohexyltriethoxysilane, and (tridecafluoro- l, l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane. In yet another embodiment, the fluorinated material is a fluorinated solvent. Fluorinated solvents also enhance the miscibility of fluorinated hydrocarbon silanes in the coating. Examples of fluorinated solvents suitable for use in the contemplated coating include, but are not limited to, methoxy-nonafluorobutane, 1, 1,2,2,3, 3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane, perfluorohexane, and 1, 1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5- decafluropentane. It will be appreciated that the fluorinated materials may also comprise any combination of a fluorinated diol, a fluorinated hydrocarbon silane, and/or a fluorinated solvent. With the addition of the fluorinated material, the thermally-cured coating exhibits a water contact angle of greater than 90° as measured using a goniometer. [0015] The coating composition further comprises a conductive material. While antistatic agents used to reduce or eliminate buildup of static electricity are known, common antistatic agents are based on long-chain aliphatic amines (optionally ethoxylated), amides, quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., behentrimonium chloride or cocamidopropyl betaine), esters of phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol esters, or polyols. Most of these common antistatic molecules are either cationic or anionic, of high viscosity, or contain a hydrophilic portion. These molecules are not preferred because they will either interfere with the curing of the coating composition, will exhibit too high of a viscosity for the coating composition, or will reduce the hydrophobic characteristics and, thus, easy cleaning properties, imparted by the fluorinated material of the coating composition. Further, many antistatic agents cannot melt in a thermal curing process.

[0016] While a variety of conductive materials are known, those that can be used in the coating compositions herein fall into a distinct category. Conductive materials suitable for use in the coating compositions contemplated herein include those conductive elements, compounds, agents, polymers, copolymers, crosspolymers, and other substances that do not cause the coating composition, when thermally cured, to exhibit less hydrophobicity than a comparable coating composition, when thermally cured, if the conductive material was not present in the comparable coating composition. As used herein, the term "comparable coating composition" means a coating composition prepared with the same ingredients and in the same manner as the coating composition contemplated herein but without the conductive material. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material also can be melted in a thermal curing process, that is, at the same temperatures that the polysiloxane, the polyurethane, the oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, the polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or the combination thereof described above. Further, the conductive materials for use in the coating compositions contemplated herein do not significantly change the curing properties or the optical or mechanical properties of the coatings resulting from the coating compositions when thermally cured. In other words, there is no discernable difference when in use between the curing, optical, or mechanical properties of the coatings resulting from the thermally-cured coating compositions with the conductive materials and the coatings resulting from the thermally-cured coating compositions without the conductive materials. If in solid form, the conductive material has an average particle dimension (e.g., diameter, length, width, or the like) that is half of the wavelength of visible light (i.e., no greater than about 50 to about 100 nanometers (nm)) so as not to scatter light. If in solution form, the conductive material is soluble in a solvent used to make the coating composition, as described in more detail below. In another exemplary embodiment, the conductive material is effective to impart antistatic properties at concentrations of no greater than about 10 wt.% of the total coating composition, such as no greater than about 5 wt.% of the total coating composition. Examples of conductive materials suitable for use in the coating compositions contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles and poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate), such as that sold under the trademark CLEVIOS PH 1000 by Heraeus Clevios GmbH of Germany, and combinations thereof.

[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a coated transparent polymeric material that is abrasion resistant and exhibits hydrophobic and antistatic properties includes providing a transparent polymeric material. Any of the transparent polymeric materials described above may be utilized. Before or after providing the transparent polymeric materials, a coating composition is prepared. The coating composition is prepared by combining one or more liquid polysiloxane and/or one or more polyurethane in a solvent. Any of the above described polysiloxanes and/or polyurethanes can be used. It may be necessary to heat the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane before combining it with the solvent to convert the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane to a liquid state. Any organic solvent may be used to solubilize the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane. Water can also be used at relatively small amounts such as about 5 to about 10 wt. %. Suitable organic solvents include mono- and polyalcohols such as ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, methoxymethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monoacetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol methylethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethylether, diethylene glycol acetate, triethylglycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycolmonobutyl ether, 1- butoxyethoxypropanol, dipropylglycol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, polypropylene glycols, trimethylene glycol, butanedial, 1,5-pentanedial, hexylene glycol, oxylene glycol, oxylene glycol, glycerine, glyceryl acetate, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, trimethylolpropyne, 1,2,6- hexanetrial or derivatives thereof. Hydrophilic ethers (dioxane, trioxane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, methylal), diethylacetal, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diethyl ketone, acetonylacetone, diacetone alcohol or hydrophilic esters (methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate) may furthermore be used as solvents. The solvent and the polysiloxane and/or the polyurethane are mixed using any suitable mixing or stirring process that forms a mixture. For example, a reflux condenser, a low speed sonicator or a high shear mixing apparatus, such as a homogenizer, a microfluidizer, a cowls blade high shear mixer, an automated media mill, or a ball mill, may be used for several seconds to an hour or more to form the coating base. Alternatively, a commercially available polysiloxane and/or polyurethane in solvent, such as NTPC-e available from Essilor of America, Inc. of Dallas, Texas, can be used. It will be appreciated that, upon mixing with the solvent, the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane may not remain as the polysiloxane or the polyurethane but, rather, may be consumed or transformed to an oligomer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane or a polymer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the fluorinated material (or materials) is added to the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane and solvent combination. It may be necessary to heat the fluorinated material to melting before adding it to the combination. The conductive material (or materials) is also added to the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane and solvent combination. The conductive material can be added before or after the fluorinated material is added to the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane and solvent combination. The components are mixed together using any of the above-described methods of mixing until a homogenous coating composition is achieved. It will be appreciated that, while the preferred method of manufacturing the coating composition includes mixing the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane and solvent first, followed by the addition of the fluorinated material and the conductive material, the fluorinated material and/or conductive material can be mixed with the solvent first, followed by the addition of the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane. Once the components are combined to form the coating composition, the fluorinated material(s) comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of the coating composition, the conductive material(s) comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of the coating composition, and the polysiloxane(s), the polyurethane(s), an oligomer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane, and/or a polymer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane (the "poly component") and the solvent(s) comprise the remaining 80-99.8 wt.% in a ratio of 30:70 poly component: solvent(s). It will be appreciated that further beneficial additives may be added to the coating composition.

[0017] Upon manufacture of the coating composition, the coating composition is applied overlying the first surface of the transparent polymeric material and, optionally, overlying the second surface of the transparent polymeric material. As used herein, the term "overlying" encompasses the terms "on" and "over". Accordingly, the coating composition can be applied directly onto the transparent polymeric material or may be applied over the surface of the transparent polymeric material such that one or more other materials are interposed between the coating composition and the transparent polymeric material. Materials that may be interposed between the coating composition and the transparent polymeric material are those materials that do not hinder the adhesion of the resulting coating to the transparent polymeric material and that do not adversely affect the optical, mechanical, hydrophobic, or antistatic properties of the resulting coating. In an exemplary embodiment, the coating composition is applied to the transparent polymeric material by dip-coating the transparent polymeric material into the coating composition. In other embodiments, the coating composition is applied to the transparent polymeric material by painting, spraying, spin coating, rolling, or the like the coating composition overlying the transparent polymeric material. While it is preferable to apply the coating in a one-step process, such as in one coat, the coating composition can be applied in multiple coatings to achieve a desired thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, once the coating composition is applied to the first surface, and optionally the second surface, of the transparent polymeric material, the solvents are permitted to evaporate at room temperature (about 16°C to about 28°C) or may be heated to the boiling point of the solvents for a sufficient time to permit the solvents to evaporate. Once the solvents have dried to a desired extent, the coating composition is thermally cured at a temperature and time suitable for the polysiloxane(s), polyurethane(s), oligomer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane, and/or a polymer derived from the polysiloxane or the polyurethane in the coating composition to cure.

[0018] The following are examples of coating compositions and coated transparent polymeric materials as contemplated herein. The examples are provided for illustration purposes only and are not meant to limit the various embodiments of the present invention in any way. [0019] EXAMPLE 1

[0020] Approximately 0.2 grams of nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane and 2 grams of a 30% dispersion of indium tin oxide nanoparticles in isopropyl alcohol was combined with 97.8 grams of NTPC-e polysiloxane from Essilor of America of Dallas, Texas, and mixed to form a homogenous coating composition. The coating composition contained approximately 30 wt.% solids in an alcohol solvent mixture. A polycarbonate lens was dip- coated in the coating composition and subjected to heat at 90°C until dried. The lens was then cured at 125°C for 2 hours. The table below provides testing results comparing a lens with the coating composition and a reference lens with only NTPC-e coated thereon.

[0023] Thus, indium tin oxide provided the cured coating with antistatic properties without adversely affecting the hydrophobicity of the cured coating.

[0024] EXAMPLE 2

[0025] Approximately 0.2 grams of nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane was combined with 94.8 grams of NTPC-e polysiloxane from Essilor of America. The coating composition contained approximately 30 wt. % solids in an alcohol solvent mixture at this point. 5 grams of an antimony-doped tin oxide, sold under the trademark ZELEC™ ECP 3010XC available from Milliken & Company of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was dispersed in the mixture to form a homogenous coating composition. Ten polycarbonate lenses were dip-coated into the coating composition and subjected to heat at 90°C until the coating was dry. The coating was then cured at 125°C for 2 hours. Haze was observed in the cured coating. Thus, the antimony-doped tin oxide adversely affected the optical properties of the cured coating.

[0026] EXAMPLE 3

[0027] Approximately 0.2 grams of nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane and 0.2 grams of LAROSTAT™ 264A, an ethosulfate quaternary ammonium antistatic agent available from BASF of Germany, was combined with 99.6 grams of NTPC-e polysiloxane from Essilor of America and mixed to form a homogeneous coating composition. The coating composition contained approximately 30 wt.% solids in an alcohol solvent mixture. A polycarbonate lens was dip-coated in the coating composition and subjected to heat at 90°C until the coating was dry. The coating was then cured at 125°C for 2 hours. The table below provides testing results comparing a lens with the coating composition and a reference lens with only a coating comprising NTPC-e and nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane coated thereon.

[0028] Thus, while providing antistatic properties, the LAROSTAT 264A adversely affected the hydrophobicity of the cured coating. [0029] EXAMPLE 4

[0030] Approximately 1 gram of nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane was combined with 499 grams of NTPC-e polysiloxane from Essilor of America and mixed to form a homogenous coating composition. The coating composition contained approximately 30 wt.% solids in an alcohol solvent mixture. The solution was divided into five portions. CLEVIOS™ PH 1000 was added to each portion at increments of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt.%, respectively. Each coating composition was applied to a polycarbonate lens by dip- coating. The lenses were subjected to heat at 90°C until dry. The lenses were then cured at 125°C for 2 hours. The table below provides testing results comparing a lens with the coating compositions having different concentrations of CLEVIOS™ PH 1000.

[0031] Accordingly, coating compositions, coated transparent polymeric materials, and methods for manufacturing coated polymeric materials have been described. The coating compositions include a thermally-curable polysiloxane(s) or polyurethane(s), or a combination thereof and fluorinated material and conductive material incorporated therein. Compared to conventional coating compositions, the coating compositions contemplated herein can be applied in a single application and thermally cured, thus decreasing the cost and time of manufacturing and increasing production. In addition, the thermally-curable coating imparts scratch and abrasion resistance to the transparent polymeric material. The fluorinated material causes the thermally-cured coatings to exhibit hydrophobicity without altering the curing properties or the optical or mechanical performance of the polysiloxane and/or polyurethane components. Further, the conductive material provides antistatic characteristics to the coatings without adversely affecting the hydrophobic surface properties provided by the fluorinated material. Thus, the resulting coated transparent polymeric materials are resistant to abrasion, scratching, stains, and markings, dissipate antistatic charge, and can easily be cleaned by wiping with a clean cloth, tissue paper, or the like.

[0038] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A coating composition for a transparent polymeric material, the coating composition comprising:

a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, an oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, a polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or a combination thereof;

a solvent;

a fluorinated material; and

a conductive material that does not cause a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition to exhibit less hydrophobicity than a thermally cured coating resulting from a comparable coating composition without the conductive material, and wherein a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition exhibits a water contact angle of greater than 90° as measured by a goniometer when applied in a single coat on the transparent polymeric material.

2. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the conductive material comprises about 10 wt.% or less of the coating composition.

3. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the conductive material in solid form has an average particle size of no greater than about 100 nm.

4. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the conductive material is soluble in the solvent.

5. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the conductive material is indium tin oxide or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate).

6. The coating composition of claim 1 , wherein the conductive material melts at a temperature at which the polysiloxane, the polyurethane, the oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or the polyurethane, the polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a

polyurethane, or the combination thereof is thermally cured to obtain a thermally cured coating.

7. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the fluorinated material comprises a fluorosurfactant polyol, a fluorinated hydrocarbon silane, a fluorinated solvent, or a combination thereof.

8. A method for forming a coated transparent polymeric material, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a transparent polymeric material;

preparing a coating composition, the coating composition comprising:

a solvent;

a fluorinated material; and

a conductive material that does not cause a thermally cured coating resulting from the coating composition to exhibit less hydrophobicity than a thermally cured coating resulting from a comparable coating composition without the conductive material,

applying the coating composition to the transparent polymeric material;

evaporating the solvent;

subjecting the transparent polymeric material to a thermal treatment after evaporating the solvent to cure the polysiloxane, the polyurethane, the oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, the polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or the combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the fluorinated material comprising a

fluorosurfactant polyol, a fluorinated hydrocarbon silane, a fluorinated solvent, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the conductive material comprising about 10 wt.% or less of the coating composition.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the conductive material in solid form having an average particle size of no greater than about 100 nm.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the conductive material soluble in the solvent.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the conductive material comprising indium tin oxide, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate), or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the coating composition comprises preparing the coating composition with the conductive material that melts at a temperature at which the polysiloxane, the polyurethane, the oligomer derived from a polysiloxane or the polyurethane, the polymer derived from a polysiloxane or a polyurethane, or the combination thereof is thermally cured to obtain a thermally cured coating.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein providing includes providing the transparent polymeric material comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of allyl diglycol carbonate, bisphenol A polycarbonate, and poly(methylmethacrylate).

16. A coated transparent polymeric material comprising:

a transparent polymeric material having a first surface;

a coating overlying the first surface, the coating comprising:

a fluorinated material that imparts an overall hydrophobic quality to the coating; and

a conductive material that does not cause the coating to have an overall hydrophobic quality less than an overall hydrophobic quality of the coating if the conductive material was not present in the coating.

17. The coated transparent polymeric material of claim 16, wherein the conductive material is indium tin oxide, poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate), or a combination thereof.

18. The coated transparent polymeric material of claim 16, wherein the fluorinated material comprises a fluorosurfactant polyol, a fluorinated hydrocarbon silane, a fluorinated solvent, or mixtures thereof.

19. The coated transparent polymeric material of claim 16, wherein the transparent polymeric material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of allyl diglycol carbonate, bisphenol A polycarbonate, and poly(methylmethacrylate).