Amorphous Copolyester with High Glass Transition Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available amorphous polyesters have low glass transition temperatures, limiting their heat performance and range of applications.
Innovation Solution
An amorphous copolyester is developed using a specific combination of 1-phenylindane dicarboxylic acid and a terephthalyl component, along with 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol, which achieves a glass transition temperature of at least 107°C, high intrinsic viscosity, and improved impact strength, utilizing recycled terephthalic acid-based polyesters with controlled impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If commercially available amorphous polyesters (PET, PETG, PCTG) are used, then impact properties are useful, but glass transition temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific cyclic diol units (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol) in controlled amounts (5-40 mol% and 5-20 mol% respectively) to raise the glass transition temperature to at least 80°C while preserving impact properties through the amorphous structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polyester structure combining multiple monomer units (cyclic diols, aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and aliphatic diols) to achieve synergistic effects where the cyclic diol units provide heat resistance while the overall copolymer structure maintains toughness and impact resistance
2Temperature
If high glass transition temperature is achieved, then heat performance is improved, but application range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously - glass transition temperature (≥80°C), intrinsic viscosity (0.5-1.5 dL/g), and impact strength (≥200 J/m) - to create a balanced material that satisfies both heat performance requirements and mechanical property requirements for diverse applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local structural variations through specific monomer units with different functions: cyclic diol units for heat resistance, aromatic dicarboxylic acid units for structural rigidity, and aliphatic diol units for flexibility, creating a material with locally optimized properties that collectively enable broad application range
3Reliability
If recycled terephthalic acid-based polyesters are used, then sustainability is improved, but impurity control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise compositional parameters (mol% ranges for each monomer unit type) that can be achieved through controlled polymerization of recycled materials, transforming impurity control into a parameter optimization problem where the recycled content becomes a controlled variable rather than a defect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of recycled material impurities into a benefit by using the recycled terephthalic acid-based polyester as a source of valuable terephthalyl units, where the recycled content provides both sustainability advantages and opportunities for cost-effective production of high-performance copolyester
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 copolyester exhibits enhanced thermal properties and impact resistance, making it suitable for a broader range of applications while being manufactured from recycled materials, thus offering improved performance and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
An amorphous copolyester is disclosed, comprising the reaction product of (a) a monomer of formula I... (b) a terephthalyl component... and (c) 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol
Implementation Method 2
a method for the manufacture of the above copolyester comprises polymerizing the components in the presence of an esterification catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
An amorphous copolyester comprising the reaction product of (a) a monomer of formula Iwherein R1, R2, R3, and R5 are each independently a C1-3 alkyl group, a is 0-1, b is 0-4, c is 0-4 and d is 0-3, and each R4 is independently hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl group; (b) a terephthalyl component selected from terephthalic acid, a di(C1-3 alkyl) terephthalate, and combinations thereof, derived from a terephthalyl-containing polyester; and (c) 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol; wherein the monomer (a) units are present in an amount from 7 to less than 12 mole % of the copolyester based on the total moles of repeat units in the copolyester; and the copolyester has a glass transition temperature of at least 107° C., an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.7 dl/g, and a molded sample has a Notched Izod value of at least 290 J/m determined in accordance with ASTM D256.