Branched Polymer Thickener for ICI Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rheology modifiers in waterborne coatings fail to effectively regulate viscosity across a wide shear rate range, particularly in achieving optimal ICI viscosity in paint formulations.
Innovation Solution
A viscosity regulating composition comprising a mixture of branched polymers with specific polyoxyalkylene units and aliphatic or aromatic linking segments, combined with other polymers and additives such as organic solvents or surfactants, to control viscosity within a specific range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current rheology modifiers are used in waterborne coatings, then viscosity control is provided, but optimal ICI viscosity regulation across a wide shear rate range is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the thickener by using branched polymers with specific polyoxyalkylene units (5-50 EO units, 2-20 PO units) and aliphatic/aromatic linking segments, rather than conventional linear structures. This structural parameter change enables effective viscosity regulation across a wide shear rate range, specifically achieving optimal ICI viscosity control that current rheology modifiers cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite thickener system combining branched polymer structures with specific polyoxyalkylene units and aliphatic or aromatic linking segments. This composite material approach, rather than using single conventional rheology modifiers, enables simultaneous achievement of viscosity control and optimal ICI viscosity regulation across different shear rates.
2Reliability
If branched polymers with specific polyoxyalkylene units are used, then ICI viscosity is improved to 0.5-5.0 dPa.s, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the branched polymer structure: 5-50 ethylene oxide units, 2-20 propylene oxide units, and specific aliphatic/aromatic linking segments. By controlling these structural parameters within defined ranges, the formulation achieves reliable ICI viscosity of 0.5-5.0 dPa.s while managing complexity through standardized parameter specifications rather than requiring complex multi-component systems.
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 composition effectively regulates viscosity, improving the ICI viscosity of aqueous compositions from 0.5 to 5.0 dPa.s and achieving desired viscosities in paint formulations, enhancing application properties like sag resistance and leveling.
Implementation Method 1
a branched polymer having the formula [M]-[(AO)-L-(AO)-R]n wherein M is a polybranched hydrophobe
Implementation Method 2
a viscosity regulating composition comprising a mixture of (a) a branched polymer having the formula [M]-[(AO)-L-(AO)-R]n
Data Source
AI summary
A viscosity regulating composition and its method of manufacture. The composition comprises a mixture of (a) a branched polymer having the formula [M]-[(A1O)-L1-(A1O)-R1]n, wherein M is polybranched hydrophobe; A1O is a polyoxyalkylene unit; L1 is an aliphatic linking segment or an aromatic linking segment each having at least two hydroxyl reactive linking groups; and R1 is an aliphatic end unit or aromatic end unit having 6 to 32 carbon atoms; n ranges from 3 to 6; and (b) a polymer having the formula R2-(A2O)-L2-(A2O)-R2, wherein (A2O) is a polyoxyalkylene unit, L2 is a aliphatic linking segment or an aromatic linking segment, and R2 is an aliphatic unit or an aromatic unit each having 6 to 32 carbon atoms.