Optically transparent metal-containing polymers

Abstract

A method for producing a metal-containing transparent polymer by the reaction of a metal carboxylate, with a clear setting resin system comprising a thermosetting resin and a curing agent. The reaction occurs in a temperature in the range of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. under conditions which prevent air from being entrapped in the mixture, either during mixing of the reagents or during reaction. The metal carboxylate contains from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of metal. The reagents react for a time sufficient to form a transparent polymer. The resins include preferably epoxies, polyesters, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyether sulfones, polyimides, and mixtures of two or more of these thermoset polymers. The final metal-containing transparent polymer preferably contains at least 15% by weight of the metal. Preferred metals include antimony, barium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, molybdenum, tungsten, ranadium, and zirconium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.