Sterically Hindered Amine Waxes for Polymer Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sterically hindered amines used for stabilizing plastics and paints against light, heat, and oxidation have drawbacks such as intrinsic color, high volatility, poor compatibility with plastics, foul odor, and limited thermal stability, as well as being ineffective as flame retardants, especially in polyolefins, which restrict their outdoor use and cause processing issues.

Innovation Solution

Development of compounds where sterically hindered amines are integrated directly onto long-chain alkanes, such as waxes, creating multifunctional additives that act as flame retardants, light stabilizers, and lubricants, with improved thermal stability, compatibility, and neutral odor, and high molecular weight to prevent migration from plastics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sterically hindered amines with short-chain alkane substituents are used, then light stabilizing effect is achieved, but volatility increases and thermal stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight stabilizing effectVSAvoidvolatility and thermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter of the alkane substituent from short-chain (C1-C18) to long-chain (C20-C1000), which fundamentally alters the physical properties of the compound. This parameter change reduces volatility and improves thermal stability while maintaining the light stabilizing effect, as the longer chains increase molecular weight and intermolecular forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining sterically hindered amine groups with long-chain alkane structures (waxes). This composite approach integrates the stabilizing function of the amine group with the thermal stability and low volatility of long-chain alkanes, achieving both light protection and thermal resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If sterically hindered amines are used for stabilizing plastics, then protection against light and oxidation is achieved, but intrinsic yellow to brown color appears

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against light and oxidationVSAvoidintrinsic color

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the structural parameters of the amine compound by using long-chain alkane substituents instead of short-chain or aromatic groups. This structural modification alters the electronic properties and light absorption characteristics of the molecule, resulting in colorless or lightly colored compounds that do not discolor plastics during processing and use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If amino ethers of short-chain alkanes are used, then light stabilizing effect is achieved, but foul odor and poor compatibility with plastics occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight stabilizing effectVSAvoidodor and compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter from short to long, which fundamentally alters the volatility and compatibility characteristics. Long-chain alkane derivatives have lower volatility (reducing odor) and better compatibility with polyolefin matrices due to similar chemical structure and solubility parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If flame retardants are added to polyolefins, then flame retardancy is achieved, but lightfastness decreases and processing stability is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidlightfastness and processing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates multifunctional compounds that simultaneously provide flame retardancy, light stabilization, and processing stability. The sterically hindered amine group provides radical scavenging activity for flame retardancy and light stabilization, while the long-chain alkane structure ensures compatibility and thermal stability, eliminating the need for separate additive packages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 resulting compounds provide superior stability and performance as flame retardants and light stabilizers without discoloration or odor issues, maintaining thermal stability and preventing migration, making them suitable for various polymer applications, including outdoor use.

Implementation Method 1

stabilizing organic material against the damaging effect caused by light, heat, other kinds of radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

stabilizing plastics against the damaging effect of, for example, light, heat, other kinds of radiation such as electron beams, for example, or oxidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP1999166B2Modified waxes, a process for their preparation, and their use

Publication Date: 2016.09.21 CLARIANT INT LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to waxes modified with sterically hindered amines, to a process for their preparation and to their use for stabilizing organic material.