Cellulose Ether Composition for Dry Mortar Slip Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dry-mortar formulations, such as cementitious bound tile adhesives, face challenges in achieving improved slip resistance without compromising mechanical strength and open time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a modifier composition comprising (meth)acrylic polymers and cellulose ether in a specific ratio into the dry-mortar formulation, which enhances slip resistance while maintaining or improving mechanical strength and open time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If slip resistance is improved in dry-mortar formulations, then slip resistance is enhanced, but mechanical strength and open time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslip resistanceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing (meth)acrylic acid polymers with specific molecular weights (500-5000 g/mol) and ratios (0.01-5% by weight relative to cellulose ether). This parameter optimization allows slip resistance improvement while maintaining mechanical strength through controlled polymer-cement interaction and water distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite additive system combining (meth)acrylic acid polymers with cellulose ether in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the water-retention properties of cellulose ether and the plasticizing effect of (meth)acrylic polymers to simultaneously improve slip resistance and maintain mechanical strength through synergistic interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If slip resistance is improved in dry-mortar formulations, then slip resistance is enhanced, but open time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslip resistanceVSAvoidopen time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of (meth)acrylic acid polymers to the range of 500-5000 g/mol, which controls the polymer's water-binding capacity. This parameter control ensures sufficient water is available for extended open time while the polymer still provides adequate slip resistance through controlled water distribution and cement particle separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The (meth)acrylic acid polymers create local variations in water distribution within the mortar matrix, concentrating water near polymer-cement interfaces to maintain slip resistance in critical areas while preserving overall water availability for extended open time through controlled capillary action and adsorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 combination effectively improves slip resistance without deteriorating the mechanical strength or open time of the cured dry-mortar formulation, meeting performance criteria for tile adhesives.

Implementation Method 1

the incorporation of a substance which is known to have a superplasticizing effect, i.e. having the effect of increasing the fluidity of, for example, a binder composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperplasticity: Superplasticity

Implementation Method 2

the combination effectively improves slip resistance without deteriorating the mechanical strength or open time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Data Source

PatentUS8604104B2Cellulose ether composition for dry mortar formulations
Publication Date: 2013.12.10 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cellulose ether composition for use in the preparation of dry mortar formulations, especially of cementitious bound tile adhesives (CBTA). The invention further relates to a dry mortar formulation comprising said cellulose ether composition. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method of improving the slip resistance of a dry mortar formulation without deteriorating the mechanical strength and the open time of the cured dry mortar formulation.