Aqueous Coating with Dual-Function Inorganic Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface coating compositions lack sufficient water resistance and coefficient of friction, which are crucial for maintaining substrate protection and safety, especially in environments exposed to pedestrian traffic and moisture.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous coating composition comprising inorganic core particles with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties on their surface, combined with a film-forming polymer composition including polyurethane, polyacrylate, or their hybrids, to create a durable and water-resistant coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surface coating compositions are used, then the coating can be applied to substrate surfaces, but the coating lacks sufficient water resistance and coefficient of friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidcoating composition simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite inorganic particles consisting of an inorganic core (e.g., silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, or ceria) coated with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface agents. This composite structure allows the particles to simultaneously provide water resistance through the hydrophobic moiety while maintaining coating integrity through the hydrophilic moiety, resolving the contradiction between water resistance and coating simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface agents (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) to different regions of the inorganic particle surface. The hydrophobic agent (e.g., silane with hydrocarbon chain) provides water resistance on portions of the surface, while the hydrophilic agent (e.g., silane with carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups) maintains adhesion and coating integrity on other portions, enabling simultaneous achievement of water resistance and coating stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional surface coating compositions are used, then the coating can be applied to substrate surfaces, but the coating lacks sufficient coefficient of friction for slip resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoefficient of frictionVSAvoidcoating composition simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite inorganic particles with dual surface agents create a coating that enhances coefficient of friction through the mechanical interlocking and surface contact provided by the particles themselves, while the hydrophilic component ensures proper adhesion and coating formation, achieving slip resistance without complicating the coating composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophilic surface agents on the inorganic particles create localized areas of high surface energy that enhance friction through increased adhesion between the coating and substrate, while the hydrophobic agents provide water resistance, simultaneously improving coefficient of friction without compromising coating integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If inorganic particles with only hydrophilic surface agents are used, then the coating maintains integrity, but the coating lacks water resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidcoating integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydrophobic surface agents (e.g., silanes with hydrocarbon chains) to portions of the inorganic particle surface to provide water resistance, while simultaneously applying hydrophilic surface agents (e.g., silanes with carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups) to other portions to maintain adhesion and coating integrity, achieving both water resistance and stability through spatial differentiation of surface properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of inorganic core particles coated with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents creates a dual-functionality system where the hydrophobic component provides water resistance and the hydrophilic component ensures coating integrity, resolving the contradiction between water resistance and compositional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 coating exhibits enhanced water resistance and coefficient of friction, maintaining integrity even after exposure to water for 24 hours and providing improved slip resistance and optical properties.

Implementation Method 1

an agent comprising a hydrophobic moiety adhering to the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

an agent comprising a hydrophilic moiety adhering to the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic effect: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 3

a film forming polymer composition comprising a polymer and water... drying the aqueous coating composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3099749B1Aqueous surface coating composition and modified particles
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3099749B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Embodiments can include aqueous coating compositions, modified particles and methods. In an embodiment, an aqueous coating composition is included with particles having an inorganic core, a surface on the outside of the core, an agent including a hydrophobic moiety adhering to the surface, and an agent including a hydrophilic moiety adhering to the surface. The aqueous coating composition can further include a film forming polymer composition including a polymer and water. The particles can be mixed with the polymer composition. In an embodiment, a method of coating a flooring surface is included, the method including applying an aqueous coating composition to a flooring surface and drying the aqueous coating composition. In an embodiment, a particle is included. The particle can include agents including a hydrophobic moiety adhering to the surface of the particle and agents including a hydrophilic moiety adhering to the surface. Other embodiments are also included herein.