Acrylic Coating with UV Stabilizers for Wood Greying Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellulose-containing materials, such as oriented strand board (OSB), suffer from greying and physical changes due to exposure to ultraviolet light and water, leading to deterioration in appearance and performance, with existing coatings facing challenges in providing effective environmental protection and adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising an acrylic polymer, a water-repellent polymer, and a UV stabilizer, including ultraviolet light-absorbers or hindered amine light stabilizers, is applied to the substrate, forming a crosslinked film that resists greying and physical changes, while maintaining adhesion and water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing coatings are applied to cellulose-containing materials, then some protection is provided, but the materials still suffer from greying and physical changes due to ultraviolet light and water exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidgreying and physical changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating system consisting of multiple layers with different functions: a base coat providing adhesion to the cellulose substrate, a middle coat containing UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers for photoprotection, and a top coat providing water repellency through fluorinated or siliconized polymers. This multi-layer composite structure addresses both UV-induced greying and water-related physical changes simultaneously, achieving superior reliability compared to single-function coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If water-repellent polymers are added to the composition, then water resistance is improved, but the complexity of the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges water-repellent polymers (fluorinated polymers or siliconized polymers) with the acrylic polymer binder and UV stabilizers into a single multi-functional coating composition. This consolidation allows the coating to provide adhesion, UV protection, and water repellency simultaneously, reducing the need for separate application steps and simplifying the overall system while maintaining enhanced water resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If UV stabilizers are incorporated into the coating, then protection from ultraviolet light is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultraviolet light damageVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates UV stabilizers (UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers) into the coating composition during the manufacturing stage, distributing them uniformly throughout the polymer matrix before application. This preliminary incorporation ensures consistent UV protection across the entire coated surface without requiring additional post-application treatments or complex multi-step manufacturing processes, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior UV damage protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 composition effectively protects cellulose-based materials from ultraviolet light and water-induced greying, maintaining substrate appearance and performance by forming a durable, water-repellent, and adherent film that withstands outdoor weathering conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The stabilizer is an ultraviolet light-absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet light absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a water-repellent polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater repellency: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS20230257573A1Composition including an acrylic polymer, a water-repellent polymer, and an ultraviolet light stabilizer and related articles and methods
Publication Date: 2023.08.17 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

The composition includes an acrylic polymer, a water-repellent polymer, and a stabilizer against ultraviolet light, in which the stabilizer is an ultraviolet light-absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, or a combination thereof. A coated article includes at least one of hardwood, softwood, oriented strand board, or plywood with a surface that is at least partially coated, wherein the surface that is at least partially coated has a b* value on the International Commission on Illumination L*, a*, and b* scale greater than 15 after 90 days of weathering. Methods of making the composition and the coated article are also described.