Aqueous Primer Coating Adhesion Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aqueous primers for plastic parts, particularly in automotive construction, are costly due to the use of hydrolysis-stable polyurethane dispersions, and there is a need for a more economical binder system that maintains adhesion and stone chip protection while allowing for electrostatic spray application.

Innovation Solution

A composition containing an aqueous polyurethane dispersion (PUD) with a specific ratio of styrene-polybutadiene copolymer dispersion (SBR), along with a reactive crosslinker component, to create a cost-effective primer that ensures good adhesion and stone chip protection, enabling electrostatic spray application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrolysis-stable polyurethane dispersions are used as binders, then adhesion and durability are improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polyurethane dispersion (PUD) with styrene-polybutadiene copolymer dispersion (SBR) to create a composite binder system. The PUD provides adhesion and durability, while the SBR contributes to flexibility and cost-effectiveness. This composite approach allows achieving reliable adhesion performance without relying solely on expensive hydrolysis-stable PUDs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces SBR, a more cost-effective binder alternative, into the primer formulation. While SBR alone may not provide sufficient adhesion, its combination with PUD creates a balanced system that reduces overall binder cost while maintaining acceptable performance through the synergistic effect of both polymers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional primer formulations are used, then cost is reduced, but adhesion performance and stone chip protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite binder system combining PUD and SBR in specific ratios (PUD: 30-80 wt%, SBR: 20-70 wt%). This composite formulation achieves a balance between cost and performance, providing adequate adhesion and stone chip protection while being more economical than pure PUD-based primers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the weight ratio of PUD to SBR to achieve the desired balance between cost and performance. By adjusting these parameters, the formulation achieves sufficient adhesion strength and durability while reducing dependency on expensive hydrolysis-stable PUDs, thus lowering overall material cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If aqueous primers are used to avoid solvent emissions, then environmental compliance is improved, but adhesion to plastics and stone chip protection worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent emissionsVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite binder system of PUD and SBR in aqueous formulation. The PUD component provides the necessary adhesion to plastics, while the SBR component enhances flexibility and contributes to stone chip resistance. This composite approach allows aqueous primers to achieve performance levels previously associated with solvent-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the composition and molecular characteristics of the binder system to achieve adequate adhesion and durability in an aqueous environment. By adjusting the PUD/SBR ratio and selecting appropriate polymer characteristics, the formulation achieves sufficient performance for plastic substrates without requiring organic solvents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If electrostatic spray application is enabled, then application efficiency is improved, but the primer formulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates conductive carbon black as an intermediary additive in the primer formulation. This conductive pigment enables the aqueous primer to conduct electricity, allowing subsequent layers to be applied by electrostatic spraying. The conductive carbon black acts as a mediator that bridges the non-conductive nature of typical polymer binders with the requirements of electrostatic application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 composition provides excellent adhesion and stone chip protection, maintaining performance even after weathering, while being more economical than traditional hydrolysis-stable polyurethane dispersion-based primers, and allows for efficient application using electrostatic spray.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the subsequently applied layers to be applied by electrostatic spraying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic induction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3898737B1Aqueous primer coating
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to novel coatings which are applied from an aqueous phase to substrates such as plastics, and which are overlaid with other coatings. These coatings are characterised by particularly good adhesive strength, in particular on plastics, and are thus particularly commercial.