Butylene Oxide Polyol for Water-Resistant Adhesives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyurethane materials used in adhesives and coatings are prone to degradation and loss of mechanical properties when exposed to high ambient humidity or direct contact with water, leading to reduced tensile strength and modulus.
Innovation Solution
A cured composition is developed using a high molecular weight butylene oxide-based polyol with a number average molecular weight between 2,000 g/mol and 8,000 g/mol, exhibiting two distinct glass transition temperatures, which provides a two-phase morphology and improved hydrophobicity, enhancing the material's resistance to water and maintaining mechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polyurethane materials are used, then good initial mechanical properties are achieved, but long-term performance degrades under water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the polyol from conventional ranges to specifically 2,000-8,000 g/mol, and adjusts the isocyanate index to 90-150, which fundamentally alters the polymer network structure to achieve water resistance while maintaining mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer system by reacting polyols with specific molecular weight ranges with isocyanates under controlled conditions, forming a multi-phase cured composition that combines hydrophobicity with structural integrity
2Reliability
If high molecular weight polyol is used, then hydrophobicity and water resistance are improved, but viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to a specific range (2,000-8,000 g/mol) that balances hydrophobicity benefits with acceptable viscosity for processing, avoiding both too-low and too-high molecular weight extremes
3Strength
If the cured composition is exposed to water, then chemical reactions degrade the polymer backbone, but the invention maintains mechanical integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates hydrophobic polyol components with specific molecular characteristics before curing, which preemptively prevent water penetration and chemical degradation of the polymer backbone, protecting the structure before exposure occurs
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 exhibits improved hydrophobicity and mechanical properties, maintaining tensile strength and resistance to water exposure, making it suitable for durable adhesive and coating applications.
Implementation Method 1
The cured composition in a cured state exhibits a first tan delta peak between a first temperature range of -50 °C to 0 °C and a second tan delta peak between a second temperature range of 75 °C and 150 °C, according to a tan delta plot over a range of temperatures
Implementation Method 2
At least 50 wt% of a total weight of alkylene oxides used to form the butylene oxide based polyol is butylene oxide... providing improved hydrophobicity, enhancing the material's resistance to water
Data Source
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AI summary
A cured composition including a reaction product of a mixture that includes an isocyanate component having one or more isocyanates and an isocyanate-reactive component having a butylene oxide based polyol, which has a number average molecular weight greater than 2,000 g/mol and less than 8,000 g/mol and a nominal hydroxyl functionality from (2) to (4). At least (50) wt% of a total weight of alkylene oxides used to form the butylene oxide based polyol is butylene oxide. An isocyanate index of the mixture is from (90) to (150). The cured composition in a cured state exhibits a first tan delta peak between a first temperature range of 50 °C to 0 °C and a second tan delta peak between a second temperature range of 75 °C and 150 °C, according to a tan delta plot over a range of temperatures, and a value of the first tan delta peak and a value of the second tan delta peak each represents a ratio of a loss modulus of the cured composition and a storage modulus of the cured composition at a specific temperature within the range of temperatures, as measured according to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The values of the first and the second tan delta peaks are from (0.10) to (0.90).