Cleavable Epilamization Agent for Aqueous Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current epilamization methods for timepieces and jewelry rely on fluorinated solvents, which are ecological and costly, and alternative agents using organic solvents have limitations such as flammability and toxicity, and do not meet the required durability and effectiveness for horology applications.

Innovation Solution

Development of an epilamization agent containing hydrophobic and oleophobic moieties linked with a cleavable hydrophilic moiety, allowing for an aqueous epilamization bath that is both ecological and effective, using a copolymer with specific units and cleavable groups to ensure solubility and deposition of a permanent epilame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorinated solvents are used for epilamization, then effective and permanent epilame properties are achieved, but ecological harm and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveepilame effect durabilityVSAvoidecological harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The epilamization agent is divided into two distinct functional parts: a hydrophobic/oleophobic portion that provides the epilame effect and a hydrophilic portion that enables aqueous solubility. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and ecological compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite molecular structure combining hydrophobic fluorinated or perfluorinated chains with hydrophilic groups. This composite approach allows the molecule to simultaneously exhibit water-repellent properties for effective epilamization and water solubility for ecological bath composition, eliminating the need for harmful fluorinated solvents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If organic solvents are used to replace fluorinated solvents, then ecological harm is reduced, but flammability and toxicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecological harmVSAvoidflammability and toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic moiety acts as an intermediary that enables the hydrophobic epilame-forming portion to be delivered through an aqueous medium. This intermediary allows the active ingredient to be transported safely in water without requiring flammable or toxic organic solvents, while still achieving the desired epilame effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If weakly fluorinated molecules are used for aqueous solubility, then organic solvent is replaced, but epilame effect durability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaqueous solubilityVSAvoidepilame effect durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the molecule are assigned different properties: the hydrophobic portion maintains strong affinity for oils and lubricants to ensure durable epilame effect, while the hydrophilic portion provides water solubility for ecological bath composition. This local differentiation of properties allows the molecule to satisfy both requirements simultaneously.

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 solution enables an economical and ecological epilamization method with a permanent epilame effect, using an aqueous bath that is safer and more environmentally friendly, while maintaining the necessary hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.

Implementation Method 1

at least one hydrophilic moiety arranged to make said compound soluble in aqueous medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

hydrophobic and oleophobic moieties arranged to impart epilame properties to said compound, prevent the spreading of oils or lubricants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11117162B2Epilamization agent comprising a cleavable linking group and epilamization method using such an epilamization agent

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

An epilamization agent containing at least one compound including at least hydrophobic and oleophobic moieties arranged to impart epilame properties to the compound, and at least one hydrophilic moiety arranged to make the compound soluble in aqueous medium, the hydrophilic moiety being linked to the compound by at least one cleavable group. A method for coating a substrate with epilame, including: preparing an aqueous epilamization bath by solubilising such an epilamization agent, placing the substrate in contact with the epilamization agent in the epilamization bath, separating the hydrophilic moiety from the epilamization agent by cleavage, rinsing the substrate to eliminate the hydrophilic residues from the hydrophilic moiety and drying.