Cationic Acrylate Adhesive with Hydrocarbon Tackifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing masking articles, such as tapes and sheets, face challenges with paints that are easy to clean or have low/no VOCs, as these surfaces are problematic for (meth)acrylate-based and rubber-based adhesives, leading to issues with paint bleeding and imprecise paint lines.

Innovation Solution

Development of an adhesive composition comprising a cationic or zwitterionic polymer combined with hydrocarbon tackifiers, specifically in an aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixture that includes cationic (meth)acrylate monomers, low Tg nonionic monomers, and optionally anionic monomers, which are polymerized to form a pressure-sensitive adhesive with improved adhesion and reduced paint bleeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional (meth)acrylate-based or rubber-based adhesives are used in masking articles, then general adhesion is achieved, but adhesion to low surface energy substrates and easy-to-clean surfaces is insufficient, causing paint bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to low surface energy substratesVSAvoidpaint bleeding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition combines cationic or zwitterionic polymers with hydrocarbon tackifiers to create a composite material that exhibits both strong adhesion to low surface energy substrates and resistance to paint bleeding. The cationic/zwitterionic polymer provides electrostatic attraction and chemical bonding capabilities, while the hydrocarbon tackifier enhances van der Waals interactions with non-polar surfaces, collectively preventing paint bleeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the adhesive by incorporating charged functional groups (cationic or zwitterionic) and adjusting the glass transition temperature through hydrocarbon tackifier content (2-20 wt%). These parameter changes enable the adhesive to maintain optimal tack and adhesion properties across varying surface energies while resisting paint penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If easy to clean and low/no VOC paints are used, then environmental friendliness and ease of cleaning are improved, but adhesion performance for masking articles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidadhesion performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive formulation adjusts its chemical composition parameters to match the surface properties of environmental-friendly paints. The cationic/zwitterionic character enables electrostatic interaction with the polar groups present in low-VOC paints, while the hydrocarbon tackifier provides non-polar interactions, creating a dual-mode adhesion mechanism that maintains effectiveness with eco-friendly paint formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive exhibits different interaction mechanisms at different interfaces: cationic/zwitterionic groups interact with polar components of the paint film, while hydrocarbon tackifier segments interact with non-polar components. This local quality differentiation allows the adhesive to maintain strong bonding with environmental-friendly paints that have complex, multi-component surface chemistry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If hydrocarbon tackifiers are added to enhance adhesion, then adhesion to various surfaces is improved, but risk of paint bleeding may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to various surfacesVSAvoidpaint bleeding risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The composite adhesive system balances the properties of cationic/zwitterionic polymers and hydrocarbon tackifiers to achieve broad-spectrum adhesion while controlling paint bleeding. The charged polymer component provides structural integrity and electrostatic bonding that prevents excessive flow, while the hydrocarbon tackifier (at controlled levels of 2-20 wt%) provides enhanced van der Waals adhesion without causing runaway bleeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention precisely controls the concentration of hydrocarbon tackifier (2-20 wt%) and the glass transition temperature of the adhesive composition to optimize the balance between adhesion strength and bleeding resistance. This parameter optimization ensures that the adhesive has sufficient tack to bond to various surfaces while maintaining enough viscosity and structural rigidity to prevent paint penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adhesive composition effectively prevents paint bleeding and produces precise, smooth paint lines by enhancing adhesion to various surfaces, including low surface energy substrates, while maintaining cohesive strength for easy removal.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive composition that contains a cationic or zwitterionic polymer plus one or more hydrocarbon tackifiers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

one or more hydrocarbon tackifiers, as well as adhesive articles, aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixtures, and methods of preparation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVan der Waals force: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 3

aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixtures that include one or more cationic (meth)acrylate monomers, one or more low Tg nonionic monomers having a (meth)acryloyl group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11649378B2Internal incorporation of hydrocarbon tackifiers in water-based (meth)acrylate adhesive compositions, reaction mixtures, methods, and articles
Publication Date: 2023.05.16 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Cationic or zwitterionic polymer adhesives, adhesive articles, aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixtures, and methods of preparation that include internal incorporation of a hydrocarbon tackifier. An aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixture includes one or more cationic (meth)acrylate monomers, one or more low Tg nonionic monomers having a (meth)acryloyl group, optionally one or more anionic (meth)acrylate monomers, and one or more hydrocarbon tackifiers.