Multi-phase silicone acrylic hybrid visco-elastic compositions and methods of making same

A method of making a multi-phase silicone acrylic hybrid visco-elastic composition comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing a silicon-containing pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising acrylate or methacrylate functionality and the condensation reaction product of:
• a silicone resin,
• a silicone polymer, and
• a silicon-containing capping agent which provides said acrylate or methacrylate functionality, wherein said silicon-containing capping agent is of the general formula XYR′bSiZ3-b, wherein
• X is a monovalent radical of the general formula AE-
• where E is -0- or —NH— and A is an acryl group or a methacryl group,
• Y is a divalent alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
• R′ is a methyl or a phenyl radical,
• Z is a monovalent hydrolyzable organic radical or a halogen, and
• b is 0 or 1;
• wherein the silicone resin and silicone polymer are reacted to form a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the silicon-containing capping agent is introduced prior to, during, or after the silicone resin and silicone polymer are reacted, and wherein:
• the silicon-containing capping agent reacts with the pressure sensitive adhesive after the silicone resin and silicone polymer have been condensation reacted to form the pressure sensitive adhesive;
• or
• the silicon-containing capping agent reacts in-situ with the silicone resin and silicone polymer;
• (ii) polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and the silicon-containing pressure sensitive adhesive composition of step (i) in a first solvent in the presence of an initiator at a temperature of from 50° C. to 100° C. to form a silicone acrylic hybrid composition;
• (iii) adding a processing solvent, wherein the processing solvent has a higher boiling point than the first solvent, and
• (iv) applying heat at a temperature of from 70° C. to 150° C. such that a majority of the first solvent is selectively removed;
• (v) removing the processing solvent;
• and
• (vi) adding a second solvent to form the multi-phase silicone acrylic hybrid visco-elastic composition, wherein the phase arrangement of the multi-phase silicone acrylic hybrid visco-elastic composition is selectively controlled by selection of the second solvent.