Biobased artificial leather

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial leathers have poor ecological balance due to petroleum-based materials and environmental concerns, such as toxic by-products from PVC burning, and lack suitable material properties like flexibility and tear resistance.

Innovation Solution

Development of bio-based artificial leather using renewable raw materials like bio-based polyethylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), combined with electron beam crosslinking to enhance mechanical properties and ecological sustainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If petroleum-based materials (PVC, PU) are used for artificial leather production, then material properties such as flexibility and tear resistance are achieved, but ecological balance deteriorates due to environmental pollution and toxic by-products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological balanceVSAvoidmaterial properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using bio-based polymers (polyethylene, EPDM) instead of conventional petroleum-based materials. This substitution maintains mechanical properties while improving ecological balance by eliminating chlorine-containing substances and reducing environmental pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining bio-based polyethylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) in specific ratios. This composite approach enables the material to achieve both flexibility and tear resistance while maintaining high bio-based content for improved sustainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bio-based plastics are used to improve ecological balance, then sustainability is enhanced, but material properties become too stiff and lack flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological balanceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines bio-based polyethylene with bio-based EPDM in a specific ratio range (60:40 to 90:10). The EPDM component provides flexibility and elastic recovery, compensating for the stiffness of polyethylene while maintaining high bio-based content (80-95%).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the ratio of polyethylene to EPDM and adjusting filler content (10-40 wt%). This parameter optimization achieves the right balance between stiffness and flexibility, enabling the material to meet artificial leather requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional artificial leather materials are used, then manufacturing processes are well-established, but tear resistance over a wider temperature range is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetear resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes electron beam irradiation to induce crosslinking in the bio-based polymer matrix. This crosslinking creates a three-dimensional network structure that enhances tear resistance across a wide temperature range while maintaining compatibility with existing extrusion and calendering manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces conventional chemical crosslinking methods with electron beam irradiation. This substitution eliminates the need for additional chemical agents and complex processing steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior tear resistance through radiation-induced crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 bio-based artificial leather achieves improved ecological balance, high flexibility, and enhanced tear resistance, with a high bio-based carbon content and reduced environmental impact, while maintaining a leather-like appearance and feel.

Implementation Method 1

The very good material properties of the artificial leather according to the invention could be improved even further towards the properties of natural leather by electron beam crosslinking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam crosslinking: Electron Beam

Data Source

PatentEP3870437B1Biobased artificial leather
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 STUDER CABLES AG
  • EP3870437B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1b
  • EP3870437B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2b
  • EP3870437B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laminated material and to a method for the production thereof. The laminated material comprises one or more layers, at least one of which is a foamed layer, said foamed layer comprising a first and a second polymer and also having a high bio-based carbon content (BBC).