Alicyclic Block Copolymer Structure for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing block copolymers and hydrogenates face limitations in enhancing vibration damping properties and glass transition temperature, particularly when using butadiene or isoprene as conjugated diene compounds, with insufficient improvements in mechanical properties and vibration damping when used alone or in combination.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer block with an alicyclic skeleton into the main chain of the block copolymer or hydrogenate, which increases the glass transition temperature and improves vibration damping properties by reducing molecular motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If butadiene is used as the conjugated diene compound with increased vinyl bond amount, then vibration damping properties are improved, but the glass transition temperature cannot be increased sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration damping propertiesVSAvoidglass transition temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the conjugated diene compound from conventional butadiene/isoprene to a cyclic vinyl-containing conjugated diene compound. This structural parameter change simultaneously achieves higher glass transition temperature and maintained vibration damping properties, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite block copolymer structure combining a styrene-based block with a conjugated diene-based block containing cyclic vinyl groups. This composite structure integrates the rigid aromatic vinyl units for high glass transition temperature with the flexible diene units for vibration damping, achieving both properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If isoprene is used as the conjugated diene compound, then glass transition temperature can be increased by increasing vinyl bond amount, but hydrogenation rate cannot be increased and vibration damping properties cannot be further improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass transition temperatureVSAvoidvibration damping properties

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the conjugated diene compound structure to include cyclic vinyl groups, which fundamentally alters the polymer chain flexibility and intermolecular interactions. This structural parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of high glass transition temperature and excellent vibration damping properties, overcoming the limitations of isoprene-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If isoprene and butadiene are used in combination, then hydrogenation rate can be increased to some extent, but glass transition temperature cannot be improved and vibration damping properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogenation rateVSAvoidglass transition temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a composite block copolymer where the styrene-based block provides high glass transition temperature through rigid aromatic structures, while the conjugated diene-based block with cyclic vinyl groups contributes to hydrogenation capability and vibration damping. This composite architecture resolves the contradiction between hydrogenation rate and glass transition temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Temperature

If a styrene-based copolymer of styrene-based compound and conjugated diene compound is used, then glass transition temperature can be elevated, but peak intensity of tan δ is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass transition temperatureVSAvoidpeak intensity of tan δ

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical structure parameters of the conjugated diene compound by introducing cyclic vinyl groups, which modify the polymer chain dynamics and glass transition behavior. This structural change allows the glass transition temperature to be elevated while maintaining or enhancing the tan δ peak intensity, unlike conventional styrene-conjugated diene copolymers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 block copolymer or hydrogenate with an alicyclic skeleton exhibits enhanced vibration damping properties and mechanical strength, suitable for various applications, with improved glass transition temperature and broadened temperature range of vibration damping performance.

Implementation Method 1

the structural unit including one or more kinds of alicyclic skeletons (X) represented by the following formula (X) in the main chain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlass transition:

Implementation Method 2

have thus been used for vibration damping materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11655362B2Block copolymer or hydrogenated product of same

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 KURARAY CO LTD

AI summary

A block copolymer or a hydrogenate thereof, containing a polymer block (A) and a polymer block (B), in which the polymer block (B) has a structural unit derived from a conjugated diene compound, the structural unit including one or more kinds of alicyclic skeletons (X) represented by a formula (X) in the main chain.