Cathodic Electrodeposition Coatings with Bismuth Nitrate and Polymethylene Urea

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophoretic coatings lack uniformity and elasticity, especially at low baking temperatures, and are prone to surface defects and oily precipitates when using bismuth compounds as crosslinking catalysts.

Innovation Solution

Combining basic bismuth nitrate with polymethylene urea as a crosslinking catalyst to facilitate crosslinking reactions at lower temperatures, resulting in a uniform, elastic, and defect-free film.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If bismuth compounds are used as crosslinking catalysts in electrophoretic coatings, then crosslinking activity is improved, but oily precipitates form causing surface defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosslinking activityVSAvoidoily precipitates
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a carboxylic acid as an intermediary substance to mediate between the basic bismuth nitrate catalyst and the isocyanate groups. The carboxylic acid forms a complex with the basic bismuth nitrate, creating a more controlled catalytic system that maintains high crosslinking activity while preventing the formation of oily precipitates and surface defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the catalytic system by introducing carboxylic acids with specific molecular weights and functional groups. This parameter modification allows the basic bismuth nitrate to function effectively as a catalyst without producing harmful side effects like oily precipitates, thus resolving the contradiction between activity and surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If conventional crosslinking agents are used in electrophoretic coatings, then crosslinking occurs, but the film surface is non-uniform and lacks elasticity at low baking temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecrosslinkingVSAvoidsurface uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polymethylene urea, a novel crosslinking agent with specific molecular structure and reactivity parameters, that enables effective crosslinking at lower baking temperatures. This crosslinking agent produces uniform, homogeneous films with elastic properties, unlike conventional crosslinking agents that require high temperatures and produce non-uniform surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite crosslinking system by combining basic bismuth nitrate catalyst with polymethylene urea crosslinking agent. This composite approach synergistically achieves effective crosslinking at low temperatures while producing uniform, elastic films, resolving the contradiction between crosslinking efficiency and surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If high baking temperatures are used to achieve sufficient crosslinking, then crosslinking completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases and film elasticity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosslinking completenessVSAvoidbaking energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reaction parameters by using basic bismuth nitrate as a highly active catalyst and polymethylene urea as a responsive crosslinking agent. This parameter change enables sufficient crosslinking completeness to be achieved at lower baking temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining film elasticity and preventing excessive brittleness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If basic bismuth nitrate is used as catalyst, then crosslinking at lower temperatures is enabled, but distribution difficulty and slight catalytic activity occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaking temperatureVSAvoiddistribution ease
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces carboxylic acid as an intermediary that forms a soluble complex with basic bismuth nitrate. This intermediary approach improves the distribution and dispersibility of the catalyst throughout the binder system, eliminating the distribution difficulties inherent in using basic bismuth nitrate alone, while maintaining its ability to enable low-temperature crosslinking.

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 combination of basic bismuth nitrate and polymethylene urea enables electrophoretic coatings to be easily produced, stable, and filterable, with optimal particle size, excellent flow, and superior corrosion and edge protection, while maintaining mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

bismuth compounds have been preferred as crosslinking catalysts because, in addition to their high activity... The use of bismuth compounds as a catalyst in the formation of urethane structures from isocyanate and hydroxyl groups has long been known

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

polymethylene urea with a crosslinking agent... The film has an even and homogeneous surface, even in critical edge areas, and has elastic properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

cathodically depositable electrophoretic paint... could easily be electrophoretically deposited onto electrically conductive substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP2262865B1Cathodic electrodeposition coatings containing polymethylene urea
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 BASF COATINGS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a cathodic electrodeposition coating which contains at least one binder, at least one cross-linker and at least one bismuth compound, characterized in that a basic bismuth nitrate is used as the bismuth compound and polymethylene urea is contained as an additional component.