Bio-Based Epoxy Adhesive Formulation for Low Odor
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for epoxy adhesives with increased bio-based content without compromising performance, particularly in terms of low odor and low vapor pressure, to enhance sustainability and health and safety in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An epoxy composition comprising a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, a cationic curing agent, and a bio-based epoxy compound synthesized from levulinic acid, which provides low viscosity for easier application and improved flexibility while maintaining thermal resistance and impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional petrol-based epoxy monomers and oligomers are used, then desired physical properties and performance are maintained, but sustainability and bio-based content are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating bio-based epoxy compounds (specifically 4-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione epoxy compound) into the epoxy adhesive formulation. This substitution maintains the desired physical properties and performance while improving sustainability by replacing petrol-based raw materials with bio-based alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite epoxy adhesive system combining traditional epoxy monomers/oligomers with bio-based epoxy compounds and reactive diluents. This composite approach allows the formulation to maintain the reliability and performance characteristics of conventional epoxies while incorporating sustainable bio-based content.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high bio-based content is incorporated into epoxy adhesives, then sustainability is improved, but odor and vapor pressure may increase compromising health and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific bio-based epoxy compounds with controlled molecular weights and chemical structures (particularly 4-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione epoxy compound) that inherently possess low odor and low vapor pressure characteristics. This parameter selection ensures that sustainability improvements do not compromise health and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses epoxy-based reactive diluents as intermediaries to incorporate bio-based epoxy compounds into the adhesive formulation. These diluents help distribute the bio-based content uniformly and control the physical properties including odor and vapor pressure, ensuring health and safety requirements are met while maintaining sustainability benefits.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If new bio-based epoxy compounds are used to increase sustainability, then bio-based content is improved, but manufacturing precision and consistency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the bio-based epoxy compounds used, including molecular weight, epoxy equivalent weight, and chemical structure characteristics (4-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione epoxy compound). By controlling these parameters within defined ranges, the formulation achieves consistent manufacturing results while maintaining high bio-based content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal epoxy adhesive formulation platform that can accommodate variations in bio-based epoxy compound sources while maintaining consistent performance. The formulation system is designed to handle bio-based materials from different sources through standardized processing and composition ratios, ensuring manufacturing precision across production batches.
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 epoxy compound enhances the epoxy composition's flexibility and cure speed, offering improved wash-off resistance and maintaining thermal stability, making it suitable for structural adhesives and coatings without the drawbacks of high exothermic reactions or settling fillers.
Implementation Method 1
an epoxy composition comprising a) a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin; b) a curing agent; and c) a bio-based epoxy compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an epoxy composition comprising a) a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin; b) a curing agent; and c) a bio-based epoxy compound having a structure I: The composition according to the present invention can be used as a structural adhesive, a coating and a primer.