Aqueous Coating Composition for One-Component Carbodiimide Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coatings, particularly in the automotive sector, face issues with two-component systems that require immediate mixing and handling of harmful hardeners, leading to dosing errors, short curing times, and health risks, while one-component systems lack chemical crosslinking and mechanical resistance.

Innovation Solution

A kit of parts comprising an aqueous composition and a hardener, where the hardener is carbodiimide, allowing for a one-component system with a long application window and chemical crosslinking, using a combination of binders, crosslinking polymers, and alkaline components to achieve a soft-feel effect and good adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a two-component system is used to achieve chemical crosslinking and mechanical resistance, then the mechanical and chemical resistance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to dosing errors, short curing time, and handling of harmful hardeners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical and chemical resistanceVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the binder and hardener into a single one-component system where the hardener is pre-incorporated into the aqueous composition. This eliminates the need for separate mixing and application of two components, resolving the contradiction by maintaining chemical crosslinking capability while simplifying application and eliminating dosing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an aqueous composition as an intermediary medium that contains the hardener in a stabilized, non-reactive form. This intermediary allows the hardener to be handled safely without direct exposure to harmful substances, while still enabling chemical crosslinking when applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a one-component system is used to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical and chemical resistance deteriorates due to lack of chemical crosslinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmechanical and chemical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the one-component system by incorporating a hardener that can undergo chemical crosslinking reactions. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation as a one-component formulation while achieving mechanical and chemical resistance through chemical crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite aqueous composition that combines binder polymers with crosslinking agents (hardeners) in a single formulation. This composite material structure enables both ease of application and chemical crosslinking capability, resolving the contradiction between one-component simplicity and crosslinked performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If a one-component system with pre-mixed hardener is used to simplify application, then the ease of operation is improved, but the shelf life deteriorates due to premature curing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary stabilization of the hardener within the aqueous composition by maintaining it in a non-reactive state during storage. This preliminary action allows the hardener to be pre-incorporated without causing premature curing, enabling both ease of operation and extended shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning against premature curing by using stabilizing conditions (such as pH control, temperature management, or chemical stabilization) that prevent the hardener from reacting with the binder during storage, while allowing the reaction to proceed under application conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 one-component coating with a long shelf life and application window, ensuring chemical and mechanical resistance, good adhesion, and a pleasant tactile sensation without requiring harmful substance handling.

Implementation Method 1

a further agent capable of forming an active ester with carboxyl groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectActive ester formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3714011B1Aqueous composition and aqueous coating agent
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BRILLUX GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to an aqueous composition containing, in each case based on the total weight of the composition, a. 3 to 25 wt.% of a binder, b. 5 to 25 wt.% of a crosslinking polymer, c. 0.5 to 10 wt.% of particles with an average particle size of 1 to 20 μm, d. 0.01 to 2 wt.% of an alkaline component, and e. 30 to 70 wt.% of water. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing the aqueous composition, to a kit of parts comprising the aqueous composition and a curing agent, and to an aqueous coating agent.