High-Strength Acrylic Adhesives Using Polyvinyl Butyral Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional acrylic adhesives have limited terminal bond strengths, restricting their applications and requiring elevated cure temperatures, whereas there is a need for a high-strength, room temperature curing adhesive to replace epoxies and achieve strong bonding across various substrates.

Innovation Solution

A two-part acrylic adhesive formulation incorporating a polyvinyl acetal resin with greater than 60% polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that includes reactive monomers, impact modifiers, adhesion promoters, and free-radical polymerization initiators, allowing for high-strength bonding at room temperature and rapid handling strength development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional acrylic adhesive formulations are used, then ease of application and quick drying are achieved, but terminal bond strength is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal bond strengthVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining acrylic adhesive polymers with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in a multi-component formulation. This composite approach integrates the fast-drying properties of acrylics with the high bond strength characteristics of PVB, achieving both quick handling and superior terminal bond strength that neither material could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight, composition ratios, and curing conditions of the adhesive formulation. By optimizing parameters such as the ratio of acrylic to PVB components, initiator concentration, and curing temperature profiles, the formulation achieves high bond strength while maintaining ease of application and quick drying characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If elevated cure temperature adhesives such as epoxies are used, then high bond strength is achieved, but room temperature applicability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidcure temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by using a redox curing system that mediates between room temperature conditions and the high bond strength requirement. The redox initiators enable polymerization to proceed at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for elevated cure temperatures while still achieving epoxy-like bond strengths through the synergistic action of acrylic and PVB components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional fastening techniques such as rivets and bolts are used, then mechanical strength is achieved, but stress concentration and corrosion are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstress concentration and corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (rivets, bolts, welds) with a chemical bonding system. The adhesive formulation creates a continuous bond that distributes stresses uniformly across the joint, eliminating the stress concentration points inherent in mechanical fasteners. The redox-curing acrylic-PVB system provides corrosion resistance while maintaining mechanical strength through chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulation achieves significantly higher bond strengths and durability, enabling strong adhesion to diverse substrates like metals and plastics, with conductive fillers providing electrical conductivity and thermal management, surpassing conventional acrylic adhesives in lap shear strength and tensile modulus.

Implementation Method 1

free-radical curing acrylic adhesives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree-radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The adhesive mixture then cures to create a bond between the substrate and the second substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20230323165A1High-strength acrylic adhesives incorporating polyvinyl butyral
Publication Date: 2023.10.12 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A two-part formulation of a high strength acrylic adhesive that includes a Part A and Part B. The Part A includes at least one curable monomer of: Part A acrylate monomer, methacrylate monomer, acrylic acid monomer, methacrylic acid monomer, or a combination thereof; a Part A impact modifier; and a Part A adhesion promoter. A Part B includes impact modifier, a Part B adhesion promoter, and an induction agent. A polyvinyl acetal resin is present in at least one of Part A or Part B, and present from 1 to 30 total weight percent. A process of applying the resulting adhesive to bond substrates and a resulting structure are also provided.