LAUSR

Transmittance and haze are key properties of light diffusion materials. Hybrid light diffusion agents (LDAs) and melt-blending process are introduced to study optical performance and mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC) light diffusion materials. Optical properties of PC composites prepared by two-step melt-blending process has better repeatability compared to one-step method due to the better dispersion state of hybrid fillers in PC matrix. The hybrid fillers silicate microspheres (SMS)/nano titania particles (nTiO2) are more suitable for PC matrix compared to cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres (PMMA)/nTiO2, for the reason that the PC/SMS/nTiO2 composites exhibit favorable optical performance and almost no deterioration of mechanical properties. The good balance between high transmittance and substantial haze can be achieved when the SMS/nTiO2 content is 1.2 wt% (the transmittance and haze are 60.97% and 88.73%, respectively). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:374–380, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers