Acrylic Rubber Sealing Composition for Low Compression Set
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-site forming gasket compositions, particularly those used in the CIPG method, suffer from high compression set and sweating phenomena, leading to reduced sealing performance and appearance issues when exposed to high temperatures and extreme-pressure additives, such as those found in engine oils.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition comprising a vinyl-based polymer with (meth)acryloyl groups, an ethylenic unsaturated group-containing compound, thixotropic agents, hydrophobically surface-treated fumed silica, and a photopolymerization initiator, which is applied and cured using light irradiation, providing excellent heat resistance, oil resistance, and low compression set without the sweating phenomenon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional silicone resin is used in CIPG method, then heat resistance and handleability are improved, but compression set increases and sweating phenomenon occurs leading to reduced sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing silicone resin with acrylic rubber containing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that prevent compression set and sweating while maintaining heat resistance. This parameter change in material composition directly resolves the contradiction between heat resistance and sealing performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining acrylic rubber with specific functional groups and crosslinking agents to create a sealing material that integrates the benefits of heat resistance and low compression set. The composite structure of acrylic rubber with functional groups and crosslinked networks provides both thermal stability and resistance to compression set, eliminating the sweating phenomenon.
2Reliability
If acrylic rubber is used to replace silicone resin, then compression set and sweating are improved, but oil resistance deteriorates when exposed to extreme-pressure additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of acrylic rubber by introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) and controlling molecular weight and glass transition temperature. These parameter changes enhance both compression set resistance and oil resistance simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing specific functional groups at specific locations within the acrylic rubber molecular structure. The carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups are strategically positioned to provide both compression set resistance and oil resistance, allowing different regions of the material to have specialized functions that resolve the contradiction.
3Reliability
If solid packing is used, then sealing is achieved, but automation and ease of incorporation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by employing a liquid sealing material that cures to form a solid gasket. The material is applied in liquid form for easy automation and incorporation, then undergoes photopolymerization or chemical curing to transition to a solid state that provides reliable sealing. This phase transition resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical solid packing systems with a chemical curing system. Instead of using pre-formed solid gaskets that require mechanical installation, the invention uses a liquid material that cures in-place through chemical reactions (photopolymerization or moisture curing), enabling automation and simplifying incorporation while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If liquid sealing material is applied and cured, then automation is improved, but sealing layer becomes thin film with high seal pressure resistance reducing durability under severe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating fillers, reinforcement agents, and crosslinking agents into the liquid sealing material formulation. These additives create a composite structure that forms a durable, thick sealing layer rather than a thin film, providing both automation compatibility and long-term durability under severe conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the formulation parameters of the liquid sealing material by adjusting viscosity, solid content, and curing characteristics. These parameter changes ensure that the material forms a sufficiently thick and durable sealing layer while remaining applicable through automated coating processes, resolving the contradiction between automation and durability.
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 achieves reliable long-term sealing performance with improved chemical and heat resistance, reduced compression set, and enhanced scratch resistance, maintaining sealing integrity even under high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a curable composition comprising a vinyl-based polymer containing at least one (meth)acryloyl group in a molecule thereof and having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 1,000,000, an ethylenic unsaturated group-containing compound, a thixotropic property-imparting agent, fumed silica and a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a curable composition excellent in on-site formability, excellent in heat resistance, chemical resistance and oil resistance, and low in compression set. The invention relates to a curable composition comprising (a) a vinyl-based polymer containing at least one (meth)acryloyl group in a molecule thereof and having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 1,000,000, (b) an ethylenic unsaturated group-containing compound, (c) a thixotropic property-imparting agent, (d) fumed silica surface-treated with a (meth)acryloyl group-containing silane and (e) a photopolymerization initiator.