Alkali-Soluble Acrylic Coating for Residue-Free Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary coatings for protecting building construction elements, particularly glass and other fragile substrates, are not fully water-resistant, not alkali-soluble, and contain high VOCs, leading to residue issues and environmental concerns, making them unsuitable for outdoor use and environmentally unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A coating composition comprising an alkali-soluble acrylic polymer or copolymer that forms a temporary protective coating fully soluble in and removable by an aqueous alkali solution, designed to be low or no VOC, biodegradable, and free of heavy metals and ammonia, with a system for controlled removal using an aqueous alkali solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-water resistant or partially alkali-soluble temporary coatings are used, then the coating can be removed, but residues are left on the surface after stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by using fully alkali-soluble acrylic polymers or copolymers instead of partially soluble coatings. This parameter change ensures complete dissolution upon alkali stripping without leaving residues, while maintaining ease of removal through controlled solubility design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite acrylic polymer formulations with specific compositional ranges (including acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters) to achieve both complete alkali solubility and residue-free stripping. The composite material design allows the coating to be fully removable while eliminating harmful residues.
2Reliability
If coatings with volatile solvents are used, then the coating provides protection, but high VOC content exceeds environmental requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent system parameters by formulating the coating with water as the primary solvent and limiting VOC content to ≤30 grams/liter. This parameter modification maintains adequate protective performance while complying with environmental regulations on VOC emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces persistent volatile organic solvents with water-based formulations that evaporate harmlessly, effectively using a safer, short-living solvent system that does not contribute to long-term environmental pollution while maintaining coating functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-water resistant coatings are used, then the coating can be applied easily, but water removes the coating during drilling, grinding and washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the coating's water resistance parameters by adjusting the acrylic polymer composition and crosslinking density. This allows the coating to withstand water exposure during fabrication processes while remaining removable through alkali stripping, achieving both durability and controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic coating system where the coating properties change based on the chemical environment: it exhibits water resistance under neutral conditions (during fabrication) but becomes fully soluble in alkaline conditions (during stripping). This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between water resistance and removability.
4Reliability
If coatings are used that are not alkali soluble, then the coating provides stable protection, but the coating cannot be completely removed from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical solubility parameters of the coating by using acrylic polymers or copolymers that are fully soluble in aqueous alkali solutions. This parameter modification enables complete removal of the coating without residues while maintaining stable protective performance during the service period.
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 solution provides a fully removable, residue-free temporary protective coating that can withstand exterior exposure for extended periods, enhancing the protection of sensitive surfaces while meeting environmental safety standards by being low VOC and biodegradable, and ensuring safe worker handling.
Implementation Method 1
The temporary protective coating is fully soluble in and removable from the surface using an aqueous alkali solution
Data Source
AI summary
A coating composition for providing a temporary protective coating onto a surface of a building construction element, such as a glass window. The coating composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin comprising an acrylic polymer or copolymer. The temporary protective coating is fully soluble in and removable from the surface using an aqueous alkali solution. The invention also provides a system for providing a temporary protective coating onto a surface of a building construction element and for controllably removing said temporary protective coatings. The system includes a coating composition and a stripper comprising an aqueous alkali solution. The coating composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin comprising an acrylic polymer or copolymer.