Calcium Carbonate Surface Modification with Ethylene Acrylic Acid Salts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating calcium carbonate with stearic acid or its salts to make it partially organophilic and partially hydrophilic for use in plastics face challenges such as foam creation, destabilization of dispersions, and inability to achieve high dry extracts without agglomerates, leading to increased costs and residues.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of ethylene acrylic acid salts and a dispersing agent during grinding, blending, or concentration stages to treat calcium carbonate, achieving high dry extracts without agglomerates and maintaining satisfactory rheological properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stearic acid or its salts are used to treat calcium carbonate to make it partially organophilic and partially hydrophilic, then the calcium carbonate can be used in plastics, but foam is created and dispersions are destabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment process by replacing stearic acid with ethylene acrylic acid salts and controlling pH levels (maintaining pH between 4-10), which eliminates foam creation while maintaining the dual organophilic-hydrophilic character needed for plastic compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ethylene acrylic acid salts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the calcium carbonate surface and the plastic matrix, providing both organophilic and hydrophilic character without the harmful side effects of stearic acid
2Quantity of substance
If high dry extracts are achieved in calcium carbonate dispersions, then transport and drying costs are reduced, but agglomerates form and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by controlling pH and using specific salts that prevent agglomerate formation even at high dry extract concentrations (>65%), maintaining both concentration and ease of handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differences in the dispersion by ensuring uniform distribution of ethylene acrylic acid salts throughout the aqueous medium, which prevents localized agglomerate formation and maintains homogeneous rheological properties at high concentrations
3Quantity of substance
If calcium carbonate is treated to be partially organophilic and partially hydrophilic, then it can be dispersed in water at high concentration, but traditional methods create residues and increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the treatment parameters from stearic acid-based to ethylene acrylic acid salt-based systems with controlled pH, which eliminates residue formation and reduces processing costs while enabling high concentration aqueous dispersions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ethylene acrylic acid salts that are more cost-effective than stearic acid and do not require additional processing steps, eliminating waste disposal costs associated with residues from traditional methods
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 process successfully produces calcium carbonate with high dry extracts greater than 65% and prevents agglomerate formation, reducing costs and improving handling properties while maintaining viscosity, thus enhancing its use in plastics.
Implementation Method 1
treating the mineral matter and/or the pigment resulting from stage a) and/or from stage b), in the presence of at least one salt of ethylene acrylic acid, a dispersing agent and/or grinding aid agent is introduced before and/or during the treatment stage c)
Implementation Method 2
blending in an aqueous medium and/or of grinding in an aqueous medium, and/or of concentration in an aqueous medium, of the mineral matter and/or the pigment obtained from stage a) and/or from stage b), in the presence of at least one salt of ethylene acrylic acid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention consists of a process of preparation of at least one mineral matter and/or of at least one pigment, including a calcium carbonate made at once partially organophilic and partially hydrophilic, in which the carbonate is blended and/or ground and/or concentrated in an aqueous medium, in the presence of at least one salt of ethylene acrylic acid, one dispersing agent and/or one grinding aid agent, which is introduced before and/or during this treatment stage.Another object of the invention lies in the aqueous dispersions and suspensions of calcium carbonate thus obtained. They may be dried and the dry pigments obtained also constitute an object of the invention.Use of these aqueous dispersions and these dry pigments in the field of plastic, paints and paper constitutes another object of the invention.