EP4370334A1

EP4370334A1 - Film structure suitable for rapid lamination

Info

Publication number: EP4370334A1
Application number: EP22747685.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinz Pudleiner; Georgios Tziovaras; Wieland Hovestadt; Stefan Janke; Kira PLANKEN
Original assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
Current assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
Priority date: 2021-07-14
Filing date: 2022-07-11
Publication date: 2024-05-22
Also published as: CN117642290A; WO2023285358A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-layer structure (MA) comprising: (S1) at least one first outer layer (S1) containing a polymer (P1) having a Vicat softening temperature ≥ 149°C, preferably ≥ 160°C, further preferably ≥ 170°C, more preferably ≥ 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h); (S2) at least one further polymer layer (S2) containing a polymer (P2) having a Vicat softening temperature < 149°C, preferably ≤ 140°C, more preferably ≤ 130°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), preferably in a range from 120 to 148°C; (S3) at least one core layer (S3); (S4) at least one further polymer layer (S4) containing a polymer (P2) having a Vicat softening temperature < 149°C, preferably ≤ 140°C, more preferably ≤ 130°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), preferably in a range of 120 to 148°C; (S5) at least one second outer layer (S5) containing a polymer (P1) having a Vicat softening temperature ≥ 149°C, preferably ≥ 160°C, further preferably ≥ 170°C, more preferably ≥ 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a multi-layer structure and to a security document containing same.

Description

Foil construction suitable for quick lamination

The invention relates to a multilayer structure comprising at least five layers (S1) to (S5), the outer layers (S1) and (S5) independently of one another containing a polymer (PI) which has a Vicat softening point >149°C.

Multi-layer structures are primarily used in the field of security documents. In the area of security documents, in particular identification documents, the embedding of several security features is absolutely necessary, in particular to ensure the originality of these security documents. Such security documents, in particular identification documents, increasingly comprise polycarbonate. Documents based on polycarbonate are particularly durable and have a high level of security against counterfeiting. Popular security features are transparent areas in, for example, identification cards or data pages in passports. These transparent areas are also called "windows". Holograms, security prints and other elements can be introduced into these windows, which can be recognized as original or counterfeit by inspection. The function of the security feature is based on the high transparency of polycarbonate. If the transparency of the document in the window is impaired, then it may be a forgery. The reason for this: When you stick over the document with another transparent film, which e.g. contains incorrect personal details, the change appears clearly in the window. The window appears less clear when looked through. The clarity of the window is also disturbed when trying to open the document and glue it back together.

In the production of security documents, due to the variety of security features to be incorporated, it is now a complex matter to select the right combination of materials in order to be able to implement the features, but on the other hand to provide fast production options, since bottlenecks occur time and again in their manufacture. Therefore, there is a great need in the industry to provide the complex production of documents as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It was therefore an object of this invention to minimize at least one of the problems mentioned. Furthermore, it was an object of the invention to find and use a combination of materials which, on the one hand, makes it possible to incorporate complex security features into the layer structure and, on the other hand, enables cost-efficient and rapid production.

A first subject matter of the invention relates to a multi-layer structure (MA), comprising

(S1) at least one first outer layer (S1) containing a polymer (PI) which has a Vicat softening point >149°C, preferably >160°C, more preferably >170°C; more preferably > 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h); (52) at least one further polymer layer (S2) which contains a polymer (P2) which has a Vicat softening point <149° C., preferably 140° C., more preferably

<130°C determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), preferably in a range from 120 to 148°C;

(53) at least one core layer (S3);

(54) at least one further polymer layer (S4) which contains a polymer (P2) which has a Vicat softening point <149° C., preferably 140° C., more preferably

(55) at least one second outer layer (S5) which contains a polymer (PI) which has a Vicat softening point >149°C, preferably >160°C, more preferably >170°C; more preferably > 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h).

The multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention solves the above-mentioned problem of high complexity in that, on the one hand, the choice of materials ensures that the adhesion of the layers to one another is sufficient so that they cannot easily be detached from one another, and at the same time a wide variety of security features , such as holograms, windows or laser printing can be built into a security document, for example.

The multi-layer structure (MA) is preferably a component of a security document or the security document itself, in particular the data page of a passport or an identity card or other ID cards.

Depending on the material from which the core layer (S3) is constructed and how heat-sensitive this layer is, the multilayer structure (MA) can additionally have the further polymer layer (S6). The use of the further polymer layer (S6) can help to protect heat-sensitive layers that are in the multi-layer structure (MA) from excessively high temperatures during a lamination process. All layers (S1) to (S6) are also referred to below as polymer layers (S1) to (S6) since they preferably contain or consist of polymers. The outer layers (S1) and (S5) are also referred to below as polymer layers (S1) and (S5), these always being the outer layers.

The polymer (PI) can be any polymer that has a Vicat softening point >149°C, preferably >160°C, more preferably >170°C; more preferably >180°C, determined in accordance with fSO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), and which the person skilled in the art would select for the multilayer structure (MA).

An opening in the form of a window can also be introduced into the multi-layer structure (MA), which offers the possibility of introducing one or more security features there, particularly in the case of security documents. To security features that are in the To make the multilayer structure (MA) visible, at least the polymer layers (S1) and (S2) are preferably transparent. The polymer layers (S1), (S2), (S4) and (S5) and optionally also (S6) preferably have a light transmission in the visible range in a range from >85% to <98%, preferably from >87% to < 95%, determined according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07. The window is preferably only in the core layer (S3).

The core layer (S3) can contain any material that a person skilled in the art would select for this. The core layer (S3) preferably contains a polymer (P3). The polymer (P3) is preferably a thermoplastic. The polymer (P3) is preferably selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate or copolycarbonate based on diphenols, poly- or copolyacrylates and poly- or copolymethacrylates such as, for example and preferably, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), poly- or copolymers with styrene, for example and preferably polystyrene (PS) or polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), thermoplastic polyurethanes, and polyolefins, such as, for example and preferably, types of polypropylene or polyolefins based on cyclic olefins (e.g. TOPAS™), poly- or copolycondensates of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic Diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, such as, for example and preferably, poly- or copolycondensates of terephthalic acid, particularly preferably poly- or copolyethylene terephthalate (PET or CoPET), glycol-modified PET (PETG), glycol-modified poly- or copolycyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate (PCTG) or poly - or copolybute ylene terephthalate (PBT or CoPBT), preferably poly- or copolycondensates of naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, particularly preferably polyethylene glycol naphthalate (PEN), poly- or copolycondensate(s) of at least one cycloalkyldicarboxylic acid, such as, for example and preferably, polycyclohexanedimethanolcyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (PCCD), polysulfones (PSU), polyvinyl halides, such as for example and preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and mixtures of at least two thereof.

The core layer (S3) can contain additives such as fillers, dyes, pigments, UV stabilizers and other additives, as explained further below in connection with the polymer layer (S1) or (S2),

The core layer (S3) preferably has a light transmission in visible light in the range from >85% to <98%, determined according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07. Alternatively, the core layer can be translucent or opaque. This can be achieved, for example, by adding fillers such as scattering particles or pigments such as carbon black, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide or barium sulfate. In this case, the core layer has the filler in an amount in a range from 2 to 45% by weight, particularly preferably from 5 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the core layer (S3).

The core layer (S3) preferably has a layer thickness in the range from >100 mhi to <750 mhi, preferably from >200 mhi to <700 mhi, particularly preferably from >30 mhi to <600 mhi. The core layer (S3) preferably has at least one opening. The at least one opening can have different shapes and sizes; the opening in the core layer (S3) preferably has a circular or elliptical shape. The opening in the core layer (S3) is preferably made by punching with a suitable tool in the core layer (S3) using methods known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the opening can also be made in the core layer (S3) by means of a laser, for example an ND:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser). The opening in the core layer (S3) is preferably not additionally filled with a thermoplastic material.

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the polymer (PI) is selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a co-polycarbonate and mixtures of at least two of these. The polymer (PI) for the polymer layers (S1) and (S5) is preferably selected independently of one another. The polymer (PI) for the polymer layer (S1) can differ from the polymer (PI) of the polymer layer (S5). Alternatively, the polymer (PI) of the polymer layer (S1) can be the same as for the polymer layer (S5).

The polymer (PI) is preferably selected from the group consisting of aliphatic or aromatic polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates.

Aromatic polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates are preferably suitable as polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates.

The polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates can be linear or branched in a known manner.

These polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates can be produced in a known manner from diphenols, carbonic acid derivatives, chain terminators if appropriate and branching agents if appropriate. Details of the production of polycarbonates and co-polycarbonates have been laid down in many patent specifications for about 40 years. An example is Schnell, "Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates", Polymer Reviews, Volume 9, Interscience Publishers, New York, London, Sydney 1964, on D. Freitag, U. Grigo, P. R. Müller, H. Nouvertne', BAYER AG, "Polycarbonates" in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 11, Second Edition, 1988, pages 648-718 and finally to Drs. U. Grigo, K. Kirchner and P. R. Müller "Polycarbonate" in Becker/Braun, Kunststoff- Handbuch, Volume 3/1, Polycarbonate, Polyacetal, Polyester, Celluloseester, Carl Hanser Verlag Munich, Vienna 1992, pages 117-299. In the "Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology", John Wiley & Sons, Inc., by Daniel J. Brunelle, the article "Polycarbonates" on pages 1 to 33 not only describes the production of suitable polycarbonates or co-polycarbonates described in particular in Table 3 on pages 10 to 13 aromatic polycarbonates based on bisphenols.

Suitable diphenols can be, for example, dihydroxyaryl compounds of the general formula (I), HO-Z-OH (I) where Z is an aromatic radical having 6 to 34 carbon atoms which may contain one or more optionally substituted aromatic nuclei and aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radicals or alkylaryls or heteroatoms as bridge members.

Examples of suitable dihydroxyaryl compounds are: dihydroxybenzenes, dihydroxydiphenyls, bis(hydroxyphenyl) alkanes, bis(hydroxyphenyl) cycloalkanes, bis(hydroxyphenyl) aryls, bis(hydroxyphenyl) ketones, bis(hydroxyphenyl) sulfones, Bis(hydroxyphenyl) sulfoxides and their nucleus-alkylated and nucleus-halogenated compounds.

These and other suitable other dihydroxyaryl compounds are described, for example, in DE-A 3 832 396, FR-A 1 561 518, in H. Schnell, Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates, Interscience Publishers, New York 1964, pp. 28 et seq.; p.102 ff. and in D.G. Legrand, J.T. Bendler, Handbook of Polycarbonate Science and Technology, Marcel Dekker New York 2000, p. 72 et seq.

Examples of preferred dihydroxyaryl compounds are resorcinol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane , 1 , 1 -bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 1 -phenyl -ethane, 1 ,1 -bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 1 -( 1 - naphthyl)-ethane, l,l-bis-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-1-(2-naphthyl)ethane, 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylpropane , 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, 2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, 2,4-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, l,l-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, l,l-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, 1,1-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylcyclohexane, 1,3-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propyl]benzene, 1,1'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-diisopropylbenzene, l,l'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-diisopropylbenzene, l,3-bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propyl]benzene, bis( 4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone, bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy phenyl) sulfone and 2,2',3,3'-tetrahydro-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,r-spirobi[1H-indene]-5,5'-diol or mixtures of at least two of these.

Particularly preferred dihydroxyaryl compounds are resorcinol, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) - 1-(1-naphthyl)-ethane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 1-(2-naphthyl)-ethane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 2,2-bis(3 ,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, 1,1-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, 1,1- Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,1'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-diisopropylbenzene and 1,1'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 4-diisopropylbenzene or mixtures of at least two of these.

Very particularly preferred dihydroxyaryl compounds are 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl and 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane. Both a dihydroxyaryl compound to form homopolycarbonates and different dihydroxyaryl compounds to form co-polycarbonates can be used. Both one dihydroxyaryl compound of formula (I) or (Ia) (formula shown below) to form homopolycarbonates and several one dihydroxyaryl compounds of formula (I) and/or (Ia) to form co-polycarbonates can be used. The various dihydroxyaryl compounds can be linked to one another either randomly or in blocks. In the case of co-polycarbonates of dihydroxyaryl compounds of the formula (I) and (Ia), the molar ratio of dihydroxyaryl compounds of the formula (Ia) to the other dihydroxyaryl compounds of the formula (I) that may also be used is preferably between 99 mol % of (Ia). 1 mol% (I) and 2 mol% (Ia) to 98 mol% (I), preferably between 99 mol% (Ia) to 1 mol% (I) and 10 mol% (Ia). 90% by moles of (I) and in particular between 99% by moles of (Ia) to 1% by moles of (I) and 30% by moles of (Ia) to 70% by moles of (I).

A very particularly preferred co-polycarbonate can be prepared using 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane and dihydroxyaryl compounds of the formula (Ia) and (I).

Suitable carbonic acid derivatives can be, for example, diaryl carbonates of the general formula (II), wherein

R, R 'and R "are independently identical or different for hydrogen, linear or branched Ci-C34-alkyl, C ₆ -C34-alkylaryl or G, -CA- aryl, R can also mean -COO-R", where R" represents hydrogen, linear or branched Ci-C34-alkyl, C ₆ -C34-alkylaryl or G-CA-aryl.

Preferred diaryl carbonates are, for example, diphenyl carbonate, methylphenyl phenyl carbonate and di-(methylphenyl) carbonate, 4-ethylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di-(4-ethylphenyl) carbonate, 4-n-propylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di- (4-n-propylphenyl) carbonate, 4-isopropylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di(4-isopropylphenyl) carbonate, 4-n-butylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di(4-n-butylphenyl). )-carbonate, 4-iso-butylphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, di-(4-iso-butylphenyl)-carbonate, 4-tert-butylphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, di-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-carbonate, 4- n-pentylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di-(4-n-pentylphenyl) carbonate, 4-n-hexylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di-(4-n-hexylphenyl) carbonate, 4-iso-octylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di-(4-iso-octylphenyl)-carbonate, 4-n-nonylphenyl-phenyl- carbonate, di-(4-n-nonylphenyl)-carbonate, 4-cyclohexylphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, di-(4- cyclohexylphenyl carbonate, 4-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-phenyl-phenyl carbonate, di-[4-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-phenyl]-carbonate, biphenyl-4-yl-phenyl -carbonate, di-(biphenyl-4-yl)-carbonate, 4-( 1 -naphthyl)-phenyl-phenyl -carbonate, 4-(2-naphthyl)-phenyl -phenyl -carbonate, di-[4-( 1 -naphthyl)-phenyl]-carbonate, di-[4-(2-naphthyl)phenyl]-carbonate, 4-phenoxyphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, di-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-carbonate, 3-pentadecylphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, Di-(3-pentadecylphenyl)-carbonate, 4-Tritylphenyl-phenyl-carbonate, Di-(4-tritylphenyl)-carbonate, Methylsalicylate-phenyl-carbonate, Di-(methylsalicylate)-carbonate, Ethylsalicylate-phenyl-carbonate, Di- (ethyl salicylate) carbonate, n-propyl salicylate phenyl carbonate, di(n-propyl salicylate) carbonate, isopropyl salicylate phenyl carbonate, di(isopropyl salicylate) carbonate, n-butyl salicylate phenyl carbonate, Di(n-butyl salicylate) carbonate, iso-butyl salicylate phenyl carbonate, di(iso-butyl salicylate) carbonate, tert-butyl salicylate phenyl carb onate, di(tert-butyl salicylate) carbonate, di(phenyl salicylate) carbonate and di(benzyl salicylate) carbonate.

Particularly preferred diaryl compounds are diphenyl carbonate, 4-tert-butylphenyl phenyl carbonate, di-(4-tert-butylphenyl) carbonate, biphenyl-4-yl-phenyl carbonate, di-(biphenyl-4-yl) carbonate, 4-( 1 -Methyl- 1 -phenylethyl)phenyl phenyl carbonate, di[4-( 1 -methyl- 1 -phenylethyl)phenyl] carbonate and di(methyl salicylate) carbonate.

Diphenyl carbonate is very particularly preferred.

Both a diaryl carbonate and various diaryl carbonates can be used.

To control or change the end groups, one or more monohydroxyaryl compound(s) can additionally be used as chain terminators, for example, which were not used to prepare the diaryl carbonate(s) used. These can be those of the general formula (III), in which

R ^A is linear or branched Ci-C34-alkyl, C6-C34-alkylaryl, CVC^ _-aryl or -COO- RD, where ^{R D} ^is hydrogen, linear or branched Ci-C34-alkyl, C7-C34 - alkylaryl or CVC^-aryl, and

R ^B , R ^c , independently of one another, are identical or different for hydrogen, linear or branched Ci-C34-alkyl, C7-C34-alkylaryl or CVC^-aryl. Preferred monohydroxyaryl compounds are 1-, 2- or 3-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, 4-n-propylphenol, 4-isopropylphenol, 4-n-butylphenol, 4-isobutylphenol, 4-tert-butylphenol, 4-n-pentylphenol, 4-n-hexylphenol, 4-iso-octylphenol, 4-n-nonylphenol, 3-pentadecylphenol, 4-cyclohexylphenol, 4-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-phenol, 4-phenylphenol, 4-phenoxyphenol, 4-(l-naphthyl)-phenol, 4-(2-naphthyl)-phenol, 4-tritylphenol, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, n-propyl salicylate, iso-propyl salicylate, n-butyl salicylate, iso-butyl salicylate, tert- butyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate and benzyl salicylate.

Particularly preferred are 4-tert-butyl phenol, 4-iso-octyl phenol and 3-pentadecyl phenol.

Suitable branching agents can be compounds with three or more functional groups, preferably those with three or more hydroxyl groups.

Examples of suitable compounds having three or more phenolic hydroxyl groups are phloroglucinol, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptene-2,4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptane, l,3,5-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzene, l,l,l-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethane, tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenylmethane, 2,2-bis(4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]propane, 2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)phenol and tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane.

Examples of other suitable compounds having three or more functional groups are 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, trimesic acid (trichloride), cyanuric acid trichloride and 3,3-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindole.

Preferred branching agents are 3,3-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindole and 1,1,1-tri(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane.

Furthermore, the polymer layer (S1) can contain additives, such as fillers, dyes, pigments, UV stabilizers and other additives, as also explained further below in connection with the polymer layer (S3).

The first polymer layer (S1) preferably has a transparency in the visible wavelength range, preferably in the range from >70% to <99%, preferably from >80% to <95%, particularly preferably >88% to <93%, determined according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07 on.

The further polymer layer (S2) preferably has transparency in the visible wavelength range, preferably in the range from >70% to <99%, preferably from >80% to <95%, particularly preferably >88% to <93%, determined according to ISO 13468 -2:2006-07 on.

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the multilayer structure (MA) has at least one further layer (S6), which preferably contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymer (PI), polymer (P2) and a mixture thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, the layer (S6) can also contain paper, metal, glass or other materials. One of the at least one further layers (S6) is preferably arranged either between layers (S2) and (S3) and/or between layers (S3) and (S4). The at least one further layer (S6) particularly preferably contains a polymer from the group of polymers (PI).

The polymer layer (S5) or the polymer layer (S6) preferably has the same composition of polymers as the polymer layer (S1).

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the polymer (PI) is a polycarbonate or co-polycarbonate of the formula (Ia), (1-2), (1-3) or (1-4), where (Ia) wherein R ¹ and R ² are independently hydrogen, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, Ci-Cs-alkyl, GG-cycloalkyl. Ce-Cio-Aryl, preferably phenyl, and C7-C12 aralkyl, preferably phenyl-Ci-C4-alkyl, especially benzyl, m is an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4 or 5,

R ³ and R ⁴ can be selected individually for each X, independently of one another hydrogen or Ci-G,- alkyl and

X is carbon, with the proviso that on at least one atom X, R ³ and R ⁴ are simultaneously alkyl, or 0-3) fl 4) in which R ⁵ is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl radical, aralkyl radical or aryl radical, preferably a methyl radical or phenyl radical, very particularly preferably a methyl radical;

The one or more polycarbonate or co-polycarbonate based on diphenols of the polymer layer (S1) or (S5) preferably has an M _w (weight-average molecular weight, determined by size exclusion chromatography (SCE) after prior calibration with polycarbonate calibration substances) of at least 10,000 g/mol, preferably from 15,000 g/mol to 300,000 g/mol, particularly preferably 17,000 to 36,000 g/mol, very particularly preferably 17,000 to 34,000 g/mol. on. The polymer (PI) can be linear or branched, they can be homopolycarbonates or copolycarbonates.

The at least one polycarbonate or co-polycarbonate based on diphenols of the polymer (PI) preferably comprises a carbonate structural unit of the formula (1-1).

These polycarbonates or copolycarbonates can be prepared in a known manner from diphenols, carbonic acid derivatives, any chain terminators and any branching agents. Details of the manufacture of polycarbonates have been laid down in many patent specifications over the last 40 years. As an example here only on H. Schnell, "Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates", Polymer Reviews, Volume 9, Interscience Publishers, New York, London, Sydney 1964, on D. Freitag, U. Grigo, P. R. Müller, H. Nouvertne' , BAYER AG, "Polycarbonates" in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 11, Second Edition, 1988, pages 648-718 and on Drs. U. Grigo, K. Kirchner and P. R. Müller "Polycarbonate" in Becker/Braun,

Kunststoff-Handbuch, volume 3/1, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polyesters, cellulose esters, Carl Hanser Verlag Munich, Vienna 1992, pages 117-299. In the "Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology", John Wiley & Sons, Ine., by Daniel J. Brunelle, in the article "Polycarbonates" on pages 1 to 33 not only the production of suitable polycarbonates or co- Polycarbonates but especially described in Table 3 on pages 10 to 13 aromatic polycarbonates based on bisphenols.

Starting products for the realization of poly carbonate structural units according to formula (1-1) are dihydroxydiphenylcycloalkanes of the formula (I-la) (I-la) wherein

X, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ and m have the meaning given for the formula (1-1).

Starting products for the realization of polycarbonate structural units of the formula (1-2), (1-3) and/or (1-4) are dihydroxydiphenylcycloalkanes of the formula (I-2a), (I-3a) and/or (I-4a) (l-2a) (l-3a) (l-4a) where R ⁵ is a C 1 -C 3 alkyl radical, aralkyl radical or aryl radical, preferably a methyl radical or phenyl radical, very particularly preferably a methyl radical.

The radicals R ¹ and R ² in formula (I-la) are preferably hydrogen.

In formula (I-1a), preference is given to alkyl on 1-2 atoms X, in particular on only one atom X, R ³ and R ⁴ simultaneously.

Preferred alkyl residue in formula (I-la) for R ³ , R ⁴ is methyl; the X atoms in the alpha position to the diphenyl-substituted C atom (Cl) are preferably not dialkyl-substituted, and at least one X atom in the beta-position to Cl is preferably alkyl disubstituted.

In a preferred embodiment of the multi-layer structure (MA), the polycarbonate or the co-polycarbonate is partially produced from the starting materials selected from the group consisting of: or mixtures of at least two of these.

In formula (I-la), preference is given to dihydroxydiphenylcycloalkanes having 5 and 6 ring carbon atoms in the cycloaliphatic radical (m=4 or 5 in formula (I-la)), for example the diphenols of the formulas (I-lb) to (I -ld), particular preference being given to 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (formula (I-lb) where R ¹ and R ² are H). According to EP 0359953 A1, the polycarbonates can be prepared from diphenols of the formula (I-1a).

Both a diphenol of the formula (I-la) with the formation of homopolycarbonates and several diphenols of the formula (I-la) with the formation of co-polycarbonates can be used.

At least one of the polymer layers (S1), (S2), (S3), (S4) and/or (S5) of the multilayer structure (MA) can also have at least one filler. The filler is preferably at least one color pigment and/or at least one other filler for producing translucency in the filled layers, particularly preferably a white pigment, very particularly preferably titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide or barium sulfate, in a preferred embodiment titanium dioxide. The filling of at least one polymer layer (S1), (S2), (S3), (S4) or (S5) and possibly (S6) of the multilayer structure (MA) with at least one such filler can reduce the visibility of the inscription or images introduced, thereby further enhancing the perception of improved sharpness and resolution, or preventing visibility of electronic components such as antennas and IC's. Depending on which effect is desired, any combination of filling in the individual layers (S1) to (S6) can be made.

The fillers mentioned are preferably in amounts of 2 to 45 wt .-%, particularly preferably from 5 to 30 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the respective polymer layer (S2), S (3), or (S4), the Filler contains, which can be done for example by extrusion or coextrusion added. In particular, this is the core layer (S3), less preferably these are the polymer layers (S2) or (S4). The polymer layer (Sl) or (S5) preferably contains 0 to 1% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, particularly preferably 0.05 to 0.1% by weight of a filler from the List as mentioned above, based on the total weight of the polymer layer (S1) or (S5).

The polymer layer (S2), (S3) and/or (S4) preferably comprises a filler and the polymer layers (S1) and (S5) are free from fillers. The polymer layers (S1), (S2), (S4) and/or (S5) are particularly preferably free of fillers.

Part of the multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention, comprising at least one polymer layer (Sl) and a further polymer layer (S2) and optionally a further layer (S6) between the layers, i.e. ((S1)-(S6)-(S2)) or next to layer (S2) ((S1)-(S2)-(S6)) or alternatively or additionally the polymer layers (S4) and (S5) with optionally a further layer (S6) between the layers ((S4)-(S6) -(S5)) or in addition to layer (S4), i.e. ((S6)-(S4)-(S5)) can, for example and preferably, by means of coextrusion of the layers contained, lamination of the layers contained or extrusion lamination, i.e. extruding on the layer(s) getting produced. The variants of coextrusion and extrusion are preferred. The production of at least part of the multilayer structure (MA) by means of coextrusion of at least the polymer layers (S1) and (S2) or (S4) and (S5) is very particularly preferred.

Accordingly, preference is given to a coextruded multilayer structure (MA) comprising at least one further polymer layer (S2) and/or (S4) and/or optionally (S6) containing at least one blend of at least one or more poly- or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and / or cycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and / or araliphatic diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms with one or more polycarbonate or co-polycarbonate (s), characterized in that the proportion of poly- or co-polycarbonate (s) in this blend in a range from >50% by weight to <90% by weight, preferably in a range from >60% by weight to <80% by weight, very particularly preferably in a range from >60% by weight to <70% by weight, and that the poly- or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and/or cycloalkyl Dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms contain a proportion of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol and/or 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol in one range from> 20 to <80 mol%, preferably in a range from> 25 to <75 mol% and particularly preferably in a range from> 25 to <70 mol%, based on the diol component have at least one or more poly or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and/or cycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms with one or more poly- or co-polycarbonate(s), characterized in that the proportion of poly- or co-polycarbonate(s) in this blend in a range from >50% by weight and up to <90% by weight, preferably in a range from >60% by weight and up to <80% by weight, very particularly preferably in a range of > 60% by weight to < 70% by weight, and that the poly- or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and/or cycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms contain 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol and/or 2 ,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol in a range from 30 to 80 mol%, preferably in a range from 30 to 75 mol% and particularly preferably in a range from 32 to 68 mol% on the diol component, and in each case an outer layer (S1) and/or (S5), these outer layers (S1) and/or (S5) containing one or more poly- or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and/or cycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic diols having 2 to 16 carbon atoms.

The coextruded multilayer structure (MA) optionally contains a further layer (S6), this further layer (S6) containing one or more poly- or copolycondensate(s) of an aromatic and/or cycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or araliphatic diols 2 to 16 carbon atoms and the layers are arranged so that the two polymer layers (Sl) and (S5) form the outer layers of the coextruded multilayer structure (MA).

The multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention, regardless of whether it is extruded or laminated, is outstandingly suitable as a component for security documents, preferably identification documents and/or bank cards. The multi-layer structure (MA) is particularly suitable for labeling using laser engraving. When using the multi-layer structure (MA), a high degree of sharpness and high quality of the elements applied by means of laser engraving are achieved. Laser engraving can preferably be used to introduce personalizing lettering and/or images into one of the polymer layers (S1), (S2), (S4), (S5) or optionally (S6). The multilayer structure (MA) is very particularly preferably suitable for identification documents in the form of bonded or laminated layer composites in the form of plastic cards, such as ID cards, passports, driving licenses, credit cards, bank cards, cards for access control or other identification documents, etc. Preferred identification documents are in the context the present invention, multi-layer, sheet-like documents with security features such as chips, photographs, biometric data, etc. These security features can be visible from the outside or at least can be queried. Such an identification document preferably has a size between that of a bank card and that of a passport. Such an identification document can also be part of a document consisting of several parts, such as a plastic identification document in a passport, which also contains paper or cardboard parts.

The multi-layer structure (MA) shows good adhesion of the individual polymer layers in layer structures, such as in security documents, with high resolution, clarity, transparency, flatness and low warpage, even at high lamination temperatures.

Furthermore, the multi-layer structure (MA), in particular as a component in security documents, preferably identification documents and/or bank cards, has very good chemical resistance, in particular to acetone and artificial skin fat. The durability of security documents containing the multi-layer structure (MA) is better than that of conventional cards, which can be seen by looking at all the parameters mentioned together.

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the polycarbonate or the copolycarbonate contains the starting compound (Ib) in a range from 10% by weight to 90% by weight, based on the total mass of the polycarbonate or the copolycarbonate or the polycarbonate or the co-polycarbonate has a molar ratio of (Ib) to other bisphenol A derivatives in a range from 1:10 to 10:1, preferably in a range from 1:5 to 5:1.

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the polymer layers (S2), (S3) and (S4) independently contain at least one polymer (P2) or consist of it, selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a mixture or a blend a polycarbonate and a co-polyester or mixtures of at least two of these.

The polymer layer (S4) preferably has a transparency in the visible wavelength range, preferably in the range from >70% to <99%, preferably from >80% to <95%, particularly preferably >88% to <93%, determined according to ISO 13468- 2:2006-07 on.

In a preferred embodiment of the multilayer structure (MA), the complete multilayer structure (MA) or one of the polymer layers (S1) or (S5) or optionally (S6) has at least one, preferably at least two, particularly preferably all of the following properties: (A) a thickness in the range of 10 to 1000, preferably in the range of 20 to 950 mils, more preferably in the range of 30 to 900 mils, most preferably in the range of 50 to 800 mils;

(B) a flatness in a range from 5 to 40 mm, preferably in a range from 10 to 30 mm for a 500 mm*600 mm layer structure;

(C) a vertical deviation in the thickness of the multilayer structure (MA) in a range from >0.002 to <0.020 mm, more preferably in a range from >0.003 to <0.015 mm, most preferably in a range from >0.005 to <0, 01 mm over the entire surface of the multi-layer structure (MA);

(D) a layer thickness tolerance of 4 to 20%, more preferably 5 to 15%, particularly preferably 6 to 10%, based on the nominal layer thickness of the multilayer structure (MA) or the respective polymer layers (S1) to (S6);

(E) heat resistance up to a temperature of 350°C, more preferably up to 380°C;

(F) a transparency in a range from 20 to 98%, preferably from 50 to 95%, particularly preferably from 60 to 90%, measured according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07.

The multilayer structure (MA) preferably has at least one, preferably a combination of properties selected from the group consisting of (A); (B); (C); (D); (E); (F); (A) and (B);

(A) and (C); (A) and (D); (A) and (E); (A) and (F); (B) and (C); (B) and (D); (B) and (E);

(B) and (F); (C) and (D); (C) and (E); (C) and (F); (D) and (E); (D) and (F); (E) and (F);

(A) and (B) and (C); (A) and (B) and (D); (A) and (B) and (E); (A) and (B) and (F); (A) and (C) and (D); (A) and (C) and (E); (A) and (C) and (F); (A) and (D) and (E); (A) and

(D) and (F); (A) and (E) and (F); (B) and (C) and (D); (B) and (C) and (E); (B) and (C) and (F); (B) and (D) and (E); (B) and (D) and (F); (B) and (E) and (F); (C) and (D) and (E); (C) and (D) and (F); (C) and (E) and (F); (D) and (E) and (F); (A) and (B) and (C) and (D); (A) and (B) and (C) and (E); (A) and (B) and (C) and (F); (A) and (B) and (D) and (E); (A) and

(B) and (D) and (F); (A) and (B) and (E) and (F); (A) and (C) and (D) and (E); (A) and (C) and (D) and (F); (A) and (C) and (E) and (F); (A) and (D) and (E) and (F); (B) and (C) and (D) and (E); (B) and (C) and (D) and (F); (B) and (C) and (E) and (F); (A) and (B) and (C) and (D) and (E); (A) and (B) and (C) and (D) and (F); (A) and (B) and (C) and (E) and (F); (A) and (B) and (D) and (E) and (F); (A) and (C) and (D) and (E) and (F); (B) and (C) and (D) and (E) and (F); (A) and (B) and (C) and (D) and (E) and (F). The flatness mentioned in the property (B) can be determined by measuring the height deviation of a 500*600mm piece of the multi-layer structure (MA) with a ruler when the piece is placed on a flat surface such as a table. The flatness is preferably determined on both sides of the flat multi-layer structure (MA). The values of the flatness measurements on both sides of the multilayer structure (MA) are preferably in the stated range of property (B). The flatness values on one side of the (MA) preferably deviate by no more than 10%, preferably no more than 5%, from the flatness values of the opposite side of the (MA), with the side of the (MA) having the higher Values form the basis for determining the deviation.

One of the polymer layers (S1) or (S5), i.e. the respective outer layer, preferably has at least one, preferably both, of the following properties:

(A) a thickness in a range from 5 to 100 μm, preferably in a range from 6 to 50 μm, particularly preferably in a range from 7 to 40 μm, very particularly preferably in a range from 10 to 30 μm;

(B) a transparency in a range from 20 to 98%, preferably from 50 to 95%, particularly preferably from 60 to 90%, measured according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07.

The polymer layer (S2) or (S4) preferably has at least one, preferably both, of the following properties:

(C) a thickness in a range from 10 to 100 μm, preferably in a range from 20 to 90 μm, more preferably in a range from 25 to 85 μm, particularly preferably in a range from 30 to 80 μm, very particularly preferably in a range of 40 to 70 pm.

(D) a transparency in a range from 20 to 98%, preferably from 50 to 95%, particularly preferably from 60 to 90%, measured according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07.

One of the polymer layers (S1), (S2), (S3), (S4), (S5) or (S6) preferably contains a laser-sensitive additive, preferably a black pigment, particularly preferably carbon black. The polymer layer, which contains the laser-sensitive additive, can be easily personalized using laser engraving.

The inscription of plastic foils by means of laser engraving is referred to in the professional world and also in the following as laser inscription. Accordingly, in the following, the term "laser inscribed" means inscribed by means of laser engraving. The laser engraving process is known to those skilled in the art and should not be confused with printing using laser printers.

As laser-sensitive additives, for example, so-called laser marking additives come into question, ie those from an absorber in the wavelength range of the laser to be used, preferably in the Wavelength range of ND:YAG lasers (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers). Such laser marking additives and their use in molding compositions are described, for example, in WO-A 2004/50766 and WO-A 2004/50767 and are commercially available from DSM under the brand name Micabs™. Absorbers that are also suitable as laser-sensitive additives are carbon black and phosphorus-containing tin-copper mixed oxides, as described, for example, in WO-A 2006/042714.

The laser-sensitive additive can be contained in the polymer layers (S1) and/or (S2) and/or (S3) in an amount of 0.5 to 180 ppm, preferably 1 to 160 ppm, particularly preferably 5 to 120 ppm. In the context of the invention, ppm is to be understood as meaning ppm by weight, unless otherwise stated.

It is preferred if the particle size of the laser-sensitive additive is in the range from 100 nm to 10 μm, and it is particularly advantageous if it is in the range from 50 nm to 2 μm.

The optional addition of laser-sensitive additives, preferably black pigments, particularly preferably carbon black, in the polymer layers (S1) and/or (S2) and/or (S4) and/or (S5) does not impair the transparency of the multilayer structure (MA).

Another subject of the invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer structure (MA), comprising the steps: i) providing at least one first outer layer (S1), at least one further polymer layer (S2), at least one core layer (S3), at least one further polymer layer (S4), at least one second outer layer (S5) and optionally at least one further polymer layer (S6); ii) arranging the layers (S1) to (S5), optionally (S6) in any order, with the proviso that the outer layers (S1) and (S5) each form an outer layer of the multilayer structure (MA); iii) forming a laminate from the polymer layers (S1) to (S5) and optionally (S6) provided in step i) and arranged in step ii) at a temperature (TI) of >150°C, preferably >180°C, more preferably >200° C., very particularly preferably >210° C., which acts equally on at least one of the two outer layers (S1) or (S5), preferably on both outer layers (S1) and (S5); wherein the polymer layers (S1) and (S5) each contain or consist of a polymer (PI) which each have a Vicat softening point >149° C., preferably >160° C., more preferably >170° C.; more preferably > 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h).

The provision of the polymer layers (S1) to (S5) and optionally (S6) in steps i) can be carried out in any way that the person skilled in the art for lamination to produce the multilayer structure (MA) would select. The provision preferably takes place in a continuous lamination system.

When providing in step i), the order of the layers (Sl) to (S6) can be chosen freely so that an arrangement of the layers in step ii) can be chosen freely, as long as the polymer layer (S1) and (S5) each have one form the outer layer.

The formation of the laminate in step iii) can be done in any way that the person skilled in the art would choose for a lamination at a temperature (TI) of at least 150°C and preferably at most 300°C. The lamination preferably takes place in the form of a roll lamination, in which the polymer layers provided from steps i) to ii) are guided over at least two opposite rollers or rollers, also called a pair of rollers. At least one of the at least two rolls or rollers is heated to a temperature (TI). The roll lamination preferably takes place over two pairs of rolls connected in series, of which each of the 4 rolls can be heated individually. A cooling station is preferably located between and/or behind the pairs of rollers, which is cooled to a temperature significantly below (TI). The cooling stations are preferably brought to a temperature in a range from 10 to 100.degree. C., preferably from 15 to 80.degree. C., particularly preferably from 20 to 50.degree. The polymer layer (S1), which is on the outside (AS1), then comes into contact with the heated cylinders or rollers. Depending on which polymer layer forms the second outer layer (AS2), the second roll or roll can also be heated, heated less than the first roll or roll or not heated at all. The opposite pairs of rollers are preferably equally heated to a temperature (TI) which is >150°C, preferably >180°C, more preferably >200°C, very particularly preferably >210°C, but at most 300°C.

The contact area of the rollers on the outer layers (S1) and (S5) is preferably 1 to 100 mm, preferably 2 to 50 mm, particularly preferably 3 to 20 mm.

All properties, compositions, dimensions and configurations of the multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention can also be used in connection with the method for producing the multilayer structure (MA) and are not mentioned again here to avoid repetition.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the heat input into the respective outer layers (AS1) or (AS2), in particular the polymer layer (S1) or (S5) in step iii) is at least >50 J/s*m ² , preferably >60 J/s s*m ² , particularly preferably >80 J/s*m ² . This specification is made in Joule (J)/second (s) * square meter (m ² ).

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the heat is applied to the respective polymer layer (S1) and/or (S5) in step iii) at a roll temperature of Temperature (TI) starting from 23 °C within <15 seconds, preferably <10 seconds, more preferably <5 seconds, in particular in a range from 5 to 10 seconds.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the polymer layer (S1) or the polymer layer (S5) independently contains at least one polymer (PI) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a co-polycarbonate or a mixture of at least two thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the polymer layer (S2), (S3), (S4) or the polymer layer (S6) independently contains at least one polymer (P2) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a mixture or a blend a polycarbonate and a co-polyester or a mixture of at least two thereof.

Another subject matter of the invention relates to a laminate, in particular a security document containing a multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention or a multi-layer structure (MA) produced by the method according to the invention.

All properties, compositions, dimensions and configurations of the multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention or its production method can also be used in connection with the security document and are not mentioned again here to avoid repetition.

The security document is preferably an identification document, such as an ID card or a passport, and/or a bank card containing at least one multi-layer structure (MA).

The security document according to the invention, preferably an identification document, can have further additional layers, for example at least one polymer layer (S6), via which, for example, further information is introduced into the security document, preferably an identification document and/or bank card. The polymer layer (S6) preferably contains the polymer (P2) in an amount in a range from 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably in a range from 70 to 98% by weight, particularly preferably in a range from 80 to 95% % by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer layer (S6). The polymer layer (S6) can likewise have additives, as already mentioned for the polymer layers (S1), (S2) and (S3), preferably in the same amounts as stated there.

Such additional information can be, for example, personalizing portraits or non-personalizing general information that is contained in the same form, for example, in every security document of the same type, preferably an identification document and/or bank card.

Such layers can, for example, be made with this information beforehand using conventional printing methods, preferably inkjet or laser printing, particularly preferably color printing equipped foils or polymer layers are introduced into the security document, preferably identification document and/or bank card.

Films or polymer layers which can be printed by means of ink-jet printing processes are known per se to the person skilled in the art and can also be the inventive polymer layers (S6), for example. In particularly preferred embodiments, plastic films or polymer layers (S6) colored white or translucent by means of fillers such as titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, barium sulfate etc. are used to improve the visibility of the printed information.

Particularly suitable for polymer layers to be printed by laser printing, in particular by color laser printing, are those of the inventive polymer layers (S2) described above which have a specific surface resistance of 10 ⁷ to 10 ¹³ W, preferably 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹² W. The specific surface resistance in W is determined according to DIN IEC 60093 (1993).

It can preferably be such polymer layers (Sl), (S5) or optionally (S6) in which the plastic before layer production to achieve the specific surface resistance, for example, an additive selected from tertiary or quaternary, preferably quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts partially or perfluorinated organic acid or quaternary ammonium or phosphonium hexafluorophosphates, preferably a partially or perfluorinated alkylsulfonic acid, preferably a perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid. These additives can be contained in particular in the polymer layer (S1) and/or (S5), but also to a small extent in the polymer layers (S2) and/or (S3), (S4), (S6).

Preferred suitable quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts are:

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrapropylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid tetrapropylammonium salt,

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrabutylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid tetrabutylammonium salt,

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrapentylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid tetrapentylammonium salt,

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrahexylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid tetrahexylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid trimethylneopentylammonium salt,

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid trimethylneopentylammonium salt,

perfluorobutanesulfonic acid dimethyldineopentylammonium salt,

perfluorooctanesulfonic acid dimethyldineopentylammonium salt,

N-methyl tripropylammonium perfluorobutyl sulfonate,

N-ethyl tripropylammonium perfluorobutyl sulfonate, Tetrapropylammonium perfluorobutyl sulfonate, diisopropyldimethylammonium perfluorobutyl sulfonate, diisopropyldimethylammonium perfluorooctyl sulfonate, N-methyltributylammonium perfluorooctyl sulfonate, cyclohexyldiethylmethylammonium perfluorooctyl sulfonate, cyclohexyltrimethylammonium perfluorooctyl sulfonate, and the corresponding phosphonium salts. The ammonium salts are preferred.

It is also possible with preference to use one or more of the abovementioned quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts, ie mixtures as well.

The perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrapropylammonium salt, the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrabutylammonium salt, the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrapentylammonium salt, the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid tetrahexylammonium salt and the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid dimethyldiisopropylammonium salt and the corresponding perfluorobutanesulfonic acid salts are very particularly suitable.

Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid dimethyldiisopropylammonium salt (diisopropyldimethylammonium perfluorobutylsulfonate) is particularly preferably used as an additive.

The salts mentioned are known or can be prepared by known methods. The salts of the sulfonic acids can be prepared, for example, by combining equimolar amounts of the free sulfonic acid with the hydroxy form of the corresponding cation in water at room temperature and evaporating the solution. Other manufacturing processes are described, for example, in DE-A 1 966931 and NL-A 7 802 830.

The salts mentioned are preferably used in amounts of from 0.001 to 2% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the respective polymers (PI), (P2) or (P3), the polymers (PI), ( P2) or (P3) added before shaping to give the multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention, which can preferably be carried out by extrusion or coextrusion.

The multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention is preferably used for the accelerated production of a laminate, which preferably within 15 seconds, more preferably within 10 seconds, particularly preferably within 5 seconds, in particular in a range from 5 to 10 seconds, preferably using Temperatures in a range from 180°C to 230°C, particularly preferably from 190°C to 210°C. At the same time as the elevated temperature, preference is given to a pressure in a range from 10 N/cm ² to 400 N/cm ² , preferably from 30 N/cm ² to 300 N/cm ² , particularly preferably from 40 N/cm ² to 250 N / cm ² applied. Preference is given to using the multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention to produce a laminate within 15 seconds, preferably within 10 seconds, particularly preferably within 5 seconds, in particular in a range from 5 to 10 seconds. Another subject of the invention relates to the use of a multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention or a multi-layer structure (MA) produced by the method according to the invention for a surface treatment, in particular a lamination at a temperature (TI) in a range from >160° C. to <250° C, preferably in a range >170°C to <240°C; more preferably in a range from >180°C to <230°C, particularly preferably in a range from >185°C to <220°C, very particularly preferably in a range from >190°C to <210°C. At the same time as the elevated temperature, preference is given to a pressure in a range from 10 N/cm ² to 400 N/cm ² , preferably from 30 N/cm ² to 300 N/cm ² , particularly preferably from 40 N/cm ² to 250 N / cm ² applied.

When using the multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention for a surface treatment, in particular for a lamination, the multi-layer structure (MA) is layered in one of the arrangement options described above in connection with the multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention and its production method, and for as low a level as possible Period of time, preferably for 5 to 30 seconds, preferably 10 to 20 seconds of the selected temperature (TI) and exposed to an elevated pressure. The pressure is preferably in a range from 10 N/cm ² to 1400 N/cm ² , preferably from 30 N/cm ² to 1200 N/cm ² , particularly preferably from 40 N/cm ² to 1000 N/cm ² . Since both the temperature and the pressure are preferably transferred to the polymer layers (S1) to (S5) and the substrate via a cylinder or roller, the pressure is applied only for a short period of time. After the lamination process, a layer composite is obtained, which holds the layers laminated together in such a way that the layer composite can only be separated into the layers again by destroying the laminate, or that the individual layers can no longer be separated from one another at all.

Preference is given to using the multi-layer structure (MA) according to the invention to produce a security document, preferably an identification document, in particular in a structure as described above for this purpose.

As already mentioned, further security features can be introduced into the security document. The security document created in this way, preferably an identification document and/or bank card, can be produced, for example, in such a way that a stack of layers is put together from the various polymer layers and substrates for the structure of the security document, preferably an identification document and/or bank card, and laminated to form a layered composite and then into the appropriate one Lorm of the security document, preferably identification document and / or bank card is tailored. where appropriate further layers are subsequently applied to this composite laminate, for example by gluing and/or laminating on further films or coating using lacquer compositions.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invention by way of example and are not to be construed as a limitation. In the context of the description of the polymer layers (S1) to (S6) or the multilayer structure, films are also used as a synonym for polymer layers.

examples

Raw materials used:

Eastar™ DN 010 (DN 010): Poly- or copolycondensate of a terephthalic acid from 54.9% by weight terephthalic acid, 9.3% by weight (38 mol% based on the diol component) ethylene glycol and 35.8% by weight % (62 mol % based on the diol component) cyclohexanedimethanol-1,4, with an inherent viscosity of 0.74 dl/g (measured in a 1:1 mixture of phenol and tetrachloroethane at 25° C.) from Eastman Chemical Company .

Pocan™ B 1600 (PBT 1600): Unmodified polycondensate of terephthalic acid and 1,4-butanediol as the diol component with a melt volume rate (MVR) of 14 g/10 min according to ISO 1133 at 260° C. and 2.16 kg from Lanxess AG.

Makroion™ 3108: high-viscosity amorphous, thermoplastic bisphenol A polycarbonate from Covestro AG with an MVR of 6.5 g/10min according to ISO 1133-1:2011 at 300°C and a load of 1.2 kg and a Vicat softening point (VST). ISO 306:2004 method B120 at 50 N; 120 °C/h of 150 °C and a glass transition temperature T _g according to ISO 11357-1,-2 of 149 °C.

KRONOS™ 2230: Titanium dioxide from Kronos for polycarbonate and other engineering thermoplastics with a T1O2 content > 96%.

Example 1: High-temperature polycarbonate PC 1 as a polymer (PI):

149.0 g (0.65 mol) bisphenol A (2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 107.9 g (0.35 mol) 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3 ,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 336.6 g (6 moles of KOH and 2700 g of water were dissolved in an inert gas atmosphere with stirring. Then a solution of 1.88 g of phenol in 2500 ml of methylene chloride was added 198 g (2 mol) phosgene were passed into the solution at pH 13 to 14 and 21 to 25° C. 1 ml ethylpiperidine was then added and the mixture was stirred for a further 45 minutes Washed neutral with water and freed from solvent. The polycarbonate showed a relative solution viscosity of 1.255, determined according to DIN EN ISO 1628-1:2009. The Vicat softening point of the polymer was determined according to ISO 306:2004 method B120 at 50 N; 120 °C/ h determined to be 183°C.

Example 2: High-temperature polycarbonate PC 2 as a polymer (PI): Analogously to PC 1, a mixture of 91.6 g (0.40 mol) of bisphenol A and 185.9 g (0.60 mol) of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane converted to the corresponding polycarbonate 2. The polycarbonate showed a relative solution viscosity of 1.251, determined according to DIN EN ISO 1628-1:2009.

The Vicat softening point of the polymer was determined according to ISO 306:2004 Method B120 at 50 N; 120 °C/h determined to 204 °C.

Example 3: High-temperature polycarbonate PC 3 as a polymer (PI):

Analogously to PC 1, a mixture of 44.2 g (0.19 mol) of bisphenol A and 250.4 g (0.81 mol) of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane converted to the corresponding polycarbonate.

The polycarbonate showed a relative solution viscosity of 1.248, determined according to DIN EN ISO 1628-1:2009.

The Vicat softening point of the polymer (PI) was determined according to ISO 306:2004 method B120 at 50 N; 120 °C/h determined to 216 °C.

Example 4: compounding of a batch for the production of a core layer (S3) comprising a thermoplastic as polymer (P2) and a white pigment as filler:

The batches for producing a white layer were produced using a conventional twin-screw compounding extruder (ZSK 32) at processing temperatures of 250 to 330.degree.

Batches with the compositions according to Table 1 were compounded and then granulated:

Table 1: Composition of compounds for the production of polymer layers (S2) comprising thermoplastics as polymer (P2)

General manufacturing instructions for mono-layer extrusion films

The system used consists of

^■ an extruder with a screw of 105 mm diameter (D) and a length of 41xD. The screw has a degassing zone;

^■ a deflection head;

^■ a slot die with a width of 1500 mm;

^■ a three-roll smoothing calender with a horizontal arrangement of rolls, the third roll being pivotable by +/- 45° with respect to the horizontal;

^■ a roller conveyor; ^■ a device for applying protective film to both sides;

^■ an extraction device;

^■ Rewind station.

The granules of a polymer (P3) were fed into the hopper of the extruder. The respective material was melted and conveyed in the respective cylinder/screw plasticizing system. The material melt was fed to the nozzle. From the die, the melt reached the smoothing calender. The final shaping and cooling of the material into a polymer layer (S3), which can serve as a substrate or intermediate layer, took place on the smoothing calender. A matted steel roller (surface 4) and a matted rubber roller (surface 4) were used to structure the film surfaces. The film or layer (S3) was then transported through a take-off, after which the layer (S3) was wound up. In this way, according to Table 2, the corresponding white opaque extrusion layers were produced.

Table 2: White opaque mono-layer extrusion film polymer layer (S2) or core layer (S3) Table 3: transparent mono-layer extrusion films (for reference)

* not according to the invention

Example 8 Compounding of a Masterbatch Containing a Laser-Sensitive Additive

The masterbatch used to produce the laserable polymer layer(s) was produced using a conventional twin-screw compounding extruder (ZSK 32) at processing temperatures of 250 to 330.degree.

A master batch with the following composition was compounded and then granulated:

• 99.994% by weight Makroion™ 3108 polycarbonate

• 0.006% by weight (60 ppm) Vulcan XC 72 101 (carbon black from Cabot) with an average particle size of 95 nm.

General manufacturing instructions for extruded and coextruded films

The system used consists of

^■ an extruder with a screw of 105 mm diameter (D) and a catch of 41xD. The screw has a degassing zone; ^■ a co-extruder for applying the top layer with a screw that is 25 D long and has a diameter of 35 mm

^■ a deflection head;

^■ a special coextrusion sheet die with a width of 1500 mm;

^■ a roller conveyor;

^■ a device for applying protective film to both sides;

^■ an extraction device;

^■ Rewind station.

The base material granules were fed to the hopper of the main extruder. In the respective cylinder/screw plasticizing system, the respective material was melted and conveyed in the form of the polymers (PI) or (P2). Both material melts were brought together in the coextrusion die. From the die, the melt reached the smoothing calender. The final shaping and cooling of the material takes place on the smoothing calender. A structured metal roller (surface 6) and a structured rubber roller (surface 2) were used to structure the film surfaces. The film was then transported through a take-off, after which the film was wound up as a multilayer structure (MA) according to the invention. The compositions of the films of the examples are described in Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4: Composition of the two-layer coextrusion films (Examples 9 to 15)

To produce three-layer multilayer structures (MA), the procedure was exactly as described for the two-layer structures, with the difference that the melt of the polymer (PI) was divided into two strands and fed into the die on both sides of the strand of polymer (P2). was guided, so that a multilayer structure (MA) with the layers (S1)-(S2)-(S6) was obtained.

Table 5: Composition of three-layer (S1)-(S2)-(S6) coextruded film (Examples 17 to 19) Production of identification documents (ID card) by roll lamination (Ex. 20-29)

The ID documents were laminated according to the layer structure in Tables 6 and 7 as follows:

A stack was formed from the foils in the order mentioned and the lamination was carried out on a roller laminator from Melzer with the following parameters. Table 6: Laminate or ID card layer construction

As described in Table 6, 50 or 100 μm thick layers from Examples 9 to 19 are used for the multilayer structures according to the invention. When producing the reference multilayer structure, positions 1 and 8 are replaced by positions 2 and 7 in the appropriate number. Furthermore, in the production of the reference multilayer structure, positions 3, 4, 5 and 6 can also be replaced by a layer from example 7a.

The roll laminator has 2 upper and 2 lower laminating tapes of the type standard ID 3 format with a width of approx. 120 mm each. Each of the belts has two heating areas and one cooling area (each heating area with 3 heating elements and between them a cooling area with 6 cooling elements). Each of the bands has a heating and a cooling area and can be heated or cooled separately and comes into contact with an outer layer of the multilayer structure plus a substrate in the form of the polymer layer (S4). The two upper lamination tapes preferably come into contact with the polymer layer (S1) and the two lower ones with the polymer layer (S4). The lamination tapes each have a heating unit M330 and a cooling unit M220. The top two lamination tapes were heated to the temperature (TI) given in Table 7. The two bottom lamination tapes were heated to a lower temperature than (TI) as also indicated in Table 7. The cooling units are each arranged after a heating unit. The residence times are also listed in Table 7. When calculating the heat flows and heat inputs into the polymer layers (1) or (5), the two were Experiments 20 to 29 and reference experiment 1 used throughput times of 2×8 seconds (examples 20 to 29) or 2×14 seconds in reference experiment 12 from Table 7. The width and length of the heating zones—ie the areas (0.12 m×2 m=0.24 m ² )—are the same in reference experiment 1 and in experiments 20 to 19 according to the invention. An average heat flow of 11.47 J/s was used for reference test 1 from Table 7. With a contact area of the laminate with the rollers of 0.24 m ² this corresponds to an average heat input on the upper side of the respective reference laminate of 47.8 J/s*m ² (heat flow/area 11.47 J/s: 0.24 ^m2 = 47.8 J/s* ^m2 ).

For tests 20 to 29, the average heat flow was 52.7 J/s and the heat input calculated from heat flow/area was 219.6 J/s*m ² ( 52.7 J7s : 0.24 m ² = 219, 6 J/s*m ² ).

The mean value was used for the heat input, since, starting from an initial temperature of 25°C, the heat flow is very high at the beginning and decreases more and more as the contact temperatures of 176°C to 209°C are approached.

amination of ID cards Table 7: Conditions of the reference example and examples 20 to 29

Due to the higher temperature (TI), which can be used on the side of the polymer layer (Sl), without melting it to such an extent that it shows morphological changes, in contrast to the conventional polymer layers as shown for the reference experiments, a significantly increased throughput number can be achieved in the production of the ID cards. The number of pieces per hour could be increased from 2616 per hour with conventional material to 4100 per hour. This could still be increased if the speed of the lamination belts could be further increased. With a temperature (TI) of 190°C, the maximum number of pieces possible on the system of 4100 pieces/hour was reached, with the material still not showing any structural changes, for example in the form of bubbles, even at 220°C. All of the multilayer structures (MA) according to the invention could be laminated much more quickly than the reference laminates without any loss of adhesion. The lamination time could be halved, so that the productivity of the roll lamination line could be doubled.

In Figure 1, a multi-layer structure (MA) 100 according to the invention is shown schematically, which has a first outer layer (Sl) 10 and a further outer layer (S5) 50, between which there is a core layer (S3) 30, which is on both sides of a further Polymer layer (S2) 20 or (S4) 40 is surrounded.

The method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. In step i) 100, the first polymer layer in the form of the first outer layer (S1), the core layer (S3), the polymer layer (S4) and the second outer layer (S5) was provided rolled up on a roll, so that it was rolled onto the lamination tape could be guided to the machine for laminating. In step ii) 200 the layers (Sl), (S2), (S3), (S4), (S5) and optionally (S6) were arranged relative to one another in such a way that the layers (Sl) and (S5) formed the outer layers and all layers could be fed parallel to each other onto the laminating belt of the laminating machine. A further polymer layer (S6) was optionally provided rolled up on a roll, so that it could be introduced between the polymer layer (S1) and (S2). In step iii) 300 the laminate was formed at a temperature between 185 and 200°C as listed in Table 7. The lamination tape moved at a speed of 0.1 m/s. In an optional step iv) 400 the laminate is wound onto a roll.

Claims

patent claims

1. A multi-layer structure (MA) comprising

(51) at least one first outer layer (S1) which contains a polymer (PI) which has a Vicat softening point >149° C., preferably >160° C., more preferably >170° C.; more preferably > 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h);

(52) at least one further polymer layer (S2) which contains a polymer (P2) which has a Vicat softening point <149° C., preferably <140° C., more preferably <130° C. determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), preferably in a range from 120 to 148°C;

(53) at least one core layer (S3);

(54) at least one further polymer layer (S4) which contains a polymer (P2) which has a Vicat softening point <149° C., preferably <140° C., more preferably <130° C. determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h), preferably in a range from 120 to 148°C;

2. The multilayer structure (MA) according to claim 1, wherein the polymer (PI) is selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a co-polycarbonate and mixtures of at least two of these.

3. The multi-layer structure (MA) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-layer structure (MA) has at least one further layer (S6) which preferably contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymer (PI), polymer (P2) and a mixture thereof .

4. The multilayer structure (MA) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer (PI) is a polycarbonate or co-polycarbonate of the formula (Ia), (1-2), (1-3) or (1-4), where (Ia) (Ia) wherein

R ¹ and R ² are independently hydrogen, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, Ci-Cs-alkyl, CVCVCycloalkyl. Ce-Cio-Aryl, preferably phenyl, and C ₆ -Ci2-aralkyl, preferably phenyl-Ci-Cralkyl, in particular benzyl, m is an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4 or 5,

R ³ and R ⁴ can be selected individually for each X, independently of one another hydrogen or C i -CV

alkyl and

X is carbon, with the proviso that on at least one atom X, R ³ and R ⁴ are simultaneously alkyl, or 1 3 14 in which R ⁵ is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl radical, aralkyl radical or aryl radical, preferably a methyl radical or phenyl radical, very particularly preferably a methyl radical;

5. The multi-layer structure (MA) according to claim 4, wherein the polycarbonate or the co-polycarbonate is partially produced from the starting products selected from the group consisting of: or mixtures of at least two of these.

6. The multilayer structure (MA) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polycarbonate or the co-polycarbonate contains the starting compound (Ib) in a range from 10% by weight to 90% by weight, based on the total mass of the polycarbonate or the Copolycarbonates or the polycarbonate or the copolycarbonate has a molar ratio of (Ib) to other bisphenol A derivatives in a range from 1:10 to 10:1, preferably in a range from 1:5 to 5:1.

7. The multilayer structure (MA) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer layers (S2), (S3), (S4) or (S6) independently contain or consist of at least one polymer (P2) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a mixture or a blend of a polycarbonate and a co-polyester or mixtures of at least two thereof.

8. The multilayer structure (MA) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the complete multilayer structure (MA) or one of the polymer layers (S1) or (S5) or optionally (S6) has at least one, preferably at least two, particularly preferably all of the following properties :

(A) a thickness in a range from 10 to 1000 μm, preferably in a range from 20 to 950 μm, particularly preferably in a range from 30 to 900 μm, very particularly preferably in a range from 50 to 800 μm; (B) a vertical deviation in the thickness of the multilayer structure (MA) in a range from >0.002 to <0.020 mm, more preferably in a range from >0.003 to <0.015 mm, most preferably in a range from >0.005 to <0, 01 mm over the entire surface of the multi-layer structure (MA);

(C) a layer thickness tolerance of 4 to 20%, more preferably 5 to 15%, particularly preferably 6 to 10%, based on the average layer thickness of a 500 mm*600 mm layer structure;

(D) heat resistance up to a temperature of 350°C, more preferably up to 380°C;

(E) a transparency in a range from 20 to 98%, preferably from 50 to 95%, particularly preferably from 60 to 90%, measured according to ISO 13468-2:2006-07.

9. A method for producing a multi-layer structure (MA), comprising the steps: i) providing at least one first outer layer (S1), at least one further polymer layer (S2), at least one core layer (S3), at least one further polymer layer (S4), at least one second outer layer (S5) and optionally at least one further polymer layer (S6); ii) arranging the layers (S1) to (S5), optionally (S6) in any order, with the proviso that the outer layers (S1) and (S5) each form an outer layer of the multilayer structure (MA); iii) forming a laminate from the polymer layers (S1) to (S5) and optionally (S6) provided in step i) and arranged in step ii) at a temperature (TI) of at least 150° C., preferably at least 180° C., more preferably at least 200° C., which acts equally on both outer layers (S1) and (S5); wherein the polymer layers (S1) and (S5) each contain or consist of a polymer (PI) which each have a Vicat softening point >149° C., preferably >160° C., more preferably >170° C.; more preferably > 180°C, determined according to ISO 306:2004 (50N; 50°/h).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the heat input into the respective outer layers (AS1) or (AS2), in particular the polymer layer (S1) or (S5) in step iii) is at least >50 J/s*m ² , preferably >60 J/s*m ² , particularly preferably >80 J/s*m ² .

11. The method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the introduction of heat to the respective polymer layer (S1) and (S5) in step iii) to reach the temperature (TI) starting from 23 ° C within <15 seconds, preferably <10 seconds, more preferably <5 seconds.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the polymer layer (Sl) or the polymer layer (S5) independently at least one polymer (PI) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a co-polycarbonate or a mixture of at least includes two of them.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the polymer layer (S2), (S3) or (S4) independently contains at least one polymer (P2) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a mixture or a blend made of a polycarbonate and a co-polyester or a mixture of at least two of them.

14. A laminate, in particular a security document, containing a multi-layer structure (MA) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or obtainable by the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. Use of a multi-layer structure (MA) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or produced according to one of claims 9 to 13 for a surface treatment, in particular a lamination at a temperature (TI) in a range from >150°C to <250°C C, preferably in a range >160°C to <230°C; more preferably in a range from >170°C to 210°C, particularly preferably in a range from >180°C to 200°C.