Branched Alkyl Alcohol Ethoxylate Oligomers for Aqueous Coating Leveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous-based coatings with low or zero VOC and APE-free formulations face challenges in achieving sufficient open film times, leading to permanent engraving of brush marks due to rapid drying, which prevents leveling and imperfections from disappearing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomers, prepared from Guerbet alcohol and ethylene oxide, into the coating compositions, which provide extended open film times and excellent leveling properties while maintaining low or zero VOC and APE-free status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If low or zero VOC and APE-free formulations are used, then environmental safety is improved, but open film time is insufficient leading to rapid drying

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVOC content and APE contentVSAvoidopen film time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the surfactant by using branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomers with specific molecular weights (Mn from about 1030 to about 2400) and controlled ethoxylation degrees (n from about 20 to about 50), achieving extended open film time while maintaining low VOC and APE-free formulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite surfactant systems combining branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomers with specific latex polymers, creating a synergistic effect that provides both environmental safety and sufficient open film time for coating leveling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If rapid drying occurs, then productivity is improved, but brush marks are permanently engraved due to insufficient leveling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying rateVSAvoidsurface smoothness and leveling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies surfactants that preliminarily extend the open film time during the critical leveling period, allowing brush strokes and imperfections to disappear before the coating finally dries, thus achieving both productivity and surface quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomers in aqueous coatings results in improved open film times, allowing for the leveling of brush strokes and imperfections, while ensuring the coatings remain low or zero VOC and APE-free, enhancing their performance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

Surfactants for aqueous based coatings formulations... branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomer surfactants provide aqueous coatings formulations that are low or zero VOC and APE free outstanding open film times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

During the drying process, it is desired that a still liquid and thixotropic coating 'levels', allowing brush strokes and imperfections, introduced during the application, to disappear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThixotropy: Thixotropy

Data Source

PatentEP2906639B1Surfactants for aqueous based coatings

Publication Date: 2019.09.18 BASF SE

AI summary

Disclosed are aqueous coating compositions comprising a branched alkyl alcohol ethoxylate oligomer of formula where m is 1 to 3 and where n is an average number such that Mn is from about 1030 to about 2400, at least one latex polymer and water. The compositions also preferably comprise at least one pigment such as titanium dioxide. The compositions are for instance architectural latex paints. The compositions are for instance free of alkyl phenol ethoxylate (APE) surfactants and are low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds). The compositions are provided effectively long open film times with excellent leveling properties.