Cellulosic Composite Binder Using Amino-Amide Intermediate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Formaldehyde-based resins used in composite wood products exhibit unsatisfactory physical properties, such as low internal bond strength and moisture susceptibility, while isocyanate-based alternatives are expensive, reactive with water, and pose health and environmental concerns, limiting their commercial utility.

Innovation Solution

A curable binder composition formed from the reaction product of an amine and an amino-amide intermediate, with an aldehyde or ketone, which upon curing creates a water-insoluble polymer, offering a formaldehyde-free, sustainable, and economically viable option for cellulosic composites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If formaldehyde-based resins are used as binders in composite wood products, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the physical properties are unsatisfactory including low internal bond strength and moisture susceptibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidphysical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder by using amino-amide intermediates with specific molecular structures and reactions, transforming the binder from formaldehyde-based to a novel composition that achieves both ease of manufacture and improved physical properties through controlled chemical reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite binder system combining amino-amide intermediates with specific reactants to form a multi-component binding composition that integrates the advantages of different chemical systems to achieve both manufacturing ease and superior physical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If isocyanate-based resins are used as binders in composite wood products, then the physical properties improve with higher bonding strength, but the cost increases and health and environmental concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidhealth and environmental concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs amino-amide intermediates that can be stored stable and reacted on-demand, replacing expensive isocyanate-based systems with a more economical and environmentally friendly binder that achieves comparable bonding strength without the harmful characteristics of isocyanates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of reactive isocyanate compounds into benefit by using amino-amide intermediates that react controllably to form strong bonds, eliminating the harmful health and environmental effects while maintaining high bonding strength through alternative chemical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If isocyanate-based resins are used as binders in composite wood products, then bonding strength improves, but the resin becomes highly reactive with water limiting shelf-life and commercial utility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidshelf-life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary stabilization by forming amino-amide intermediates that are pre-prepared in a stable, water-resistant form, allowing the binder to maintain shelf-life before use while still achieving strong bonds when activated during the composite manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides improved physical properties, reduced binder usage, lower energy consumption, enhanced sustainability, and better health and environmental safety, resulting in a more robust and durable composite wood product with faster curing times and reduced carbon footprint.

Implementation Method 1

a curable binder composition formed from the reaction product of an amine and an amino-amide intermediate, with an aldehyde or ketone, which upon curing creates a water-insoluble polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2467521B1Cellulosic composite
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 JOHNS MANVILLE CORP

AI summary

Provided is a cellulosic composite comprised of cellulosic material and a binder. The binder comprises a reaction product of an amine and a reactant in the form of an amino- amide intermediate. To the ammo-amide is added an aldehyde or ketone to form a curable binder composition. The composition when mixed with cellulosic material and cured forms a cellulosic composite.