Caprolactam Solvent Compositions for Safer Coating Stripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solvents like N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) used for cleaning paints, inks, and resins are reproductive toxins and suspected carcinogens, posing health risks to users who work with them for extended periods.

Innovation Solution

Compositions using caprolactam-derived solvents, such as N-methylcaprolactam, N-ethylcaprolactam, and N-butylcaprolactam, as primary and co-solvents, which are safer and effective in dissolving these materials, often combined with aromatic hydrocarbon solvents and surfactants to enhance cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is used as a solvent for cleaning paints, inks, and resins, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the health safety deteriorates due to reproductive toxin and carcinogen risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidhealth safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical identity parameter of the solvent from NMP to caprolactam-derived solvents (N-methylcaprolactam, N-ethylcaprolactam, N-butylcaprolactam). This parameter change maintains the solvent's ability to dissolve paints, inks, and resins while eliminating the harmful reproductive toxin and carcinogen properties associated with NMP, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and health safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the problematic NMP solvent with alternative caprolactam-derived solvents that serve the same cleaning function without the harmful effects. This substitution allows the system to achieve comparable cleaning performance while eliminating long-term health risks, effectively replacing a harmful substance with a safer alternative

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If caprolactam-derived solvents are used as alternatives to NMP, then the health safety is improved, but the solvent effectiveness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth safetyVSAvoidsolvent effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically evaluates and optimizes the chemical structure parameters of caprolactam-derived solvents by varying the alkyl group (methyl, ethyl, butyl) to achieve the desired balance between health safety and solvent effectiveness. The structural parameter changes maintain dissolving capability while improving safety profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates functional copies of NMP's cleaning performance using caprolactam-derived solvents. These alternative solvents replicate the essential dissolving properties of NMP for paints, inks, and resins while copying only the beneficial functional aspects and excluding the harmful toxicological properties, thus maintaining effectiveness while improving safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If dichloromethane-based strippers are replaced with caprolactam-derived solvents, then the health safety is improved, but the stripping efficiency for certain coatings may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth safetyVSAvoidstripping efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts process parameters such as residence time and temperature when using caprolactam-derived solvents for stripping applications. By optimizing these operational parameters, the system compensates for any differences in stripping efficiency compared to dichloromethane-based products, maintaining effective performance while eliminating the harmful effects of dichloromethane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces caprolactam-derived solvents as intermediary substances that can perform the stripping function for certain coatings. These solvents act as mediators between the substrate and the coating material, providing effective stripping through controlled residence time and temperature conditions while avoiding the health hazards associated with dichloromethane

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 caprolactam-derived solvents provide a safer alternative to NMP, maintaining effective cleaning performance while reducing health risks, and can be used in place of dichloromethane-based strippers for certain coatings with appropriate residence time and temperature adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The caprolactam-derived solvents provide a safer alternative to NMP, maintaining effective cleaning performance while reducing health risks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS20260062568A1Compositions and methods for cleaning and stripping

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 ADVANSIX RESINS & CHEMICALS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a composition for cleaning or stripping a material from a substrate. The composition includes a primary solvent and a co-solvent. The co-solvent includes one or more caprolactam-derived solvents.