Modified binder compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aldehyde-based resins used in various applications emit significant formaldehyde, which poses health concerns and is subject to stringent regulations, necessitating the development of a binder with ultralow formaldehyde emissions during curing and from the final product.

Innovation Solution

An aldehyde-based resin composition incorporating reducing sugars with high dextrose equivalent values and optionally cyanamide is used, which are added before, during, or after the reaction of hydroxy aromatic and aldehyde functional compounds, enhancing water dilutability and reducing formaldehyde emissions through reactive integration into the resin matrix.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If aldehyde-based resins are used as binders, then good heat resistance and high service temperature are achieved, but formaldehyde emissions occur during curing and from the final product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice temperatureVSAvoidformaldehyde emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sugar alcohols and reducing sugars that react with free formaldehyde to form harmless compounds. The harmful formaldehyde emissions are converted into beneficial bound forms through chemical reactions with these additives, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the heat resistance properties of the aldehyde-based resin binder

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Sugar alcohols and reducing sugars act as intermediary substances that mediate between the aldehyde-based resin and the environment. These intermediaries capture and bind free formaldehyde through chemical reactions, preventing its release as emissions while maintaining the structural integrity and thermal properties of the binder system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If sugar alcohols are added to reduce formaldehyde emissions, then free phenol and formaldehyde are reduced, but the resin composition becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformaldehyde emissionsVSAvoidresin composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for sugar alcohol and reducing sugar additives (5-50 wt% and 1-30 wt% respectively) to optimize formaldehyde reduction while maintaining composition simplicity. By controlling these parameters within defined ranges, the system achieves effective emission reduction without excessive complexity in the resin formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If reducing sugars with high dextrose equivalent values are used, then water dilutability is enhanced and formaldehyde emissions are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformaldehyde emissionsVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent requires preliminary selection of reducing sugars with high dextrose equivalent values (DE ≥ 50, preferably ≥ 75, most preferably > 90) before incorporation into the resin composition. This preliminary specification ensures that the sugars provide optimal formaldehyde reduction and water dilutability enhancement while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through pre-qualified raw materials

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 resin composition achieves strict formaldehyde emission standards, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations and maintaining the binder's mechanical properties while reducing health risks.

Implementation Method 1

the reducing sugar compounds (III) is added before or during said reaction and/or after said reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2782942B1Modified binder compositions
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 PREFERE RESINS HLDG

AI summary

The invention relates to an aldehyde based resin composition that has an ultralow formaldehyde (ULF) emission both on curing and from the final cured product and to the use thereof as a binder or adhesive for the manufacture of mineral wool (glass fibre and stone fibre) products, non-woven materials, wooden boards, plywood, coated materials and/or impregnated material products. The invention further relates to a process for the manufacture of the resin composition, to a sizing composition for use in mineral wool applications, to a sizing composition for use in saturation or impregnation applications, and to a curable aqueous composition for use in board and wood applications, comprising the aldehyde resin composition according to the invention. The aldehyde based resi n composition, preferably formed by reaction of one or more hydroxy aromatic and/or one or more amino functional compounds (I) with one or more aldehyde functional compounds (II), contains one or more reducing sugars or a reducing sugar in the form of a carbohydrate feedstock with the bulk properties of a reducing sugar (III) with a dextrose equivalent (DE) value of at least 15, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 50, even more preferably at least 75, and most preferably greater than 90, and optionally a cyanamide (IV).