Bio-Based Epoxy Composition With Low Viscosity and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for epoxy adhesives with increased bio-based content without compromising performance, as traditional petrol-based materials pose sustainability concerns and health hazards.
Innovation Solution
An epoxy composition comprising a bio-based epoxy compound synthesized from levulinic acid, a curing agent, and an epoxy resin, which includes specific quantities of bio-based epoxy compound to maintain low viscosity and flexibility while ensuring impact resistance and fast cure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional petrol-based epoxy materials are used, then performance and mechanical properties are maintained, but sustainability is compromised and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating bio-based epoxy compounds (specifically glycidyl esters of fatty acids) to replace petrol-based epoxy materials. This substitution maintains the required mechanical properties and performance while eliminating the harmful factors associated with traditional petrochemical sources, aligning with sustainability goals and health safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite epoxy composition by combining bio-based epoxy compounds with traditional epoxy resins and curing agents. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both sustainability benefits from bio-based content and the reliable mechanical performance of proven epoxy materials, resolving the contradiction between environmental concerns and performance requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If bio-based epoxy compound is added to increase sustainability, then bio-based content increases, but viscosity control and mechanical properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of bio-based epoxy compound within a specific range (0.1-30 wt%, preferably 1-25 wt%) to simultaneously achieve increased bio-based content and maintained mechanical properties. This parameter optimization ensures that the viscosity remains controllable and flexibility is preserved while still delivering the desired sustainability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a composite system where bio-based epoxy compounds are combined with conventional epoxy resins and curing agents in optimized ratios. This composite formulation allows the benefits of bio-based content to be realized while the conventional components ensure adequate mechanical strength and structural integrity are maintained.
3Quantity of substance
If bio-based epoxy compound is added to increase sustainability, then bio-based content increases, but application ease and flexibility may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the viscosity parameter by limiting the bio-based epoxy compound content to a specific range (0.1-30 wt%, preferably 1-25 wt%). This parameter control ensures the composition remains sufficiently fluid for easy application and dispensing while still incorporating adequate bio-based content to meet sustainability objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite formulation combines bio-based epoxy compounds with conventional epoxy resins in optimized proportions, ensuring the final mixture maintains appropriate flow characteristics and flexibility for ease of application. The conventional resin component helps maintain workability while the bio-based component delivers sustainability benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an epoxy composition comprising a) an 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.