Comb Polymer Coating Slips Water Retention Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-retention agents for paper coating sauces struggle to balance water retention and Brookfield viscosity, often resulting in high viscosities that hinder handling and processing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a comb polymer obtained by grafting polyalkylene oxide functions onto ethylenically unsaturated monomers into the coating sauce composition, which improves water retention while reducing Brookfield viscosity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional water-retention agents (starch, PVOH, CMC, polyacrylates) are used in coating sauces, then water retention is improved, but Brookfield viscosity increases to high values that hinder handling and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retentionVSAvoidBrookfield viscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by introducing a comb architecture with polyalkylene oxide side chains grafted onto a polyacrylamide backbone. This structural modification alters the polymer's interaction with water and its flow properties, achieving high water retention (95-98%) while maintaining low Brookfield viscosity suitable for easy handling and processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining polyacrylamide backbone with polyalkylene oxide side chains. This composite architecture integrates the water retention capabilities of polyacrylamide with the viscosity-modifying properties of polyalkylene oxide, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously improve water retention and maintain low viscosity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If water-retention agents are added to coating sauce, then water retention increases, but the complexity of the formulation process increases due to neutralization steps required for alkaline polymers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retentionVSAvoidformulation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic alkaline functional groups from the polymer structure by using polyacrylamide instead of polyacrylate. This eliminates the need for neutralization steps with alkaline agents, simplifying the formulation process while maintaining effective water retention performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb polymer with polyalkylene oxide side chains provides self-regulating viscosity control and water retention without requiring additional neutralization agents or complex formulation adjustments. The polymer structure itself delivers the desired functionality, reducing process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach enhances the water retention/Brookfield viscosity couple, allowing for better handling and processing of paper coating sauces by achieving higher water retention with lower viscosity compared to traditional agents.

Implementation Method 1

comb polymer obtained by grafting polyalkylene oxide functions onto a polymer chain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

enhances the water retention/Brookfield viscosity couple

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction:

Implementation Method 3

comb polymer obtained by grafting polyalkylene oxide functions onto a polymer chain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Implementation Method 4

improves water retention while reducing Brookfield viscosity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChain flexibility:

Data Source

PatentEP1966441B1Process for preparing coating slips featuring enhanced water retention and enhanced brookfieldtm viscosity, using a comb polymer having at least one grafted polyalkylene oxide function
Publication Date: 2013.06.26 COATEX SA
  • EP1966441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1966441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1966441B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention concerns a process for preparing coating slips containing at least one mineral substance, at least one binder, and water, characterized in that this composition is admixed with at least one comb polymer obtained by grafting at least one polyalkylene oxide function onto the polymer chain, said chain resulting from the polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The resulting coating slips feature an increase in water retention and a reduction in Brookfield viscosity as compared with the same slips containing a prior-art water-retaining thickener.