Ethylene-Carboxylic Acid Copolymer Dispersion Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High concentrations of ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymers in aqueous dispersions lead to increased viscosity and gelation, deteriorating coating properties and making it difficult to achieve a balance between high concentration and low viscosity, which is essential for effective application as a coating, sealing, or adhesive.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an inorganic salt compound, such as calcium chloride (CaCl2) or sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), in a specific weight percentage into the dispersion to reduce viscosity and improve dispersibility, allowing for a high concentration of ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer while preventing gelation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the concentration of ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer in aqueous dispersion is increased, then the efficiency of coating, sealing, and bonding is improved, but the viscosity of the dispersion increases and gelation occurs, deteriorating coating properties
Solution Approach 1:
An inorganic salt compound acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high copolymer concentration requirement and the viscosity/gelation constraint. The inorganic salt modifies the interaction between copolymer chains and water, enabling high concentration dispersions without gelation by changing the electrostatic or steric interactions in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical or chemical parameters of the dispersion system by introducing an inorganic salt compound. This parameter change (addition of inorganic salt) allows the system to accommodate high copolymer concentrations while maintaining low viscosity and preventing gelation, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration and stability.
2Quantity of substance
If the concentration of ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer in aqueous dispersion is increased, then transportation costs are reduced, but the viscosity increases and gelation occurs, making the dispersion unsuitable for coating applications
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic salt compound serves as a mediator that enables high concentration dispersions to maintain good coating properties. It prevents the copolymer chains from aggregating and forming gels, thereby keeping the dispersion flowable and applicable despite the high copolymer content.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical environment through inorganic salt addition, the system achieves high copolymer concentration while maintaining suitable viscosity and coating properties. The inorganic salt modifies the solvation structure and inter-chain interactions, allowing the dispersion to remain processable at high concentrations.
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 addition of inorganic salts effectively reduces viscosity, enhancing the coating properties and preventing gelation, enabling the use of high-concentration ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer dispersions as efficient coating, sealing, or adhesive agents.
Implementation Method 1
adding an inorganic salt compound to the mixed solution; wherein the inorganic salt compound includes at least one of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3)
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: mixing 30 % by weight or more of an ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, a basic compound, and water to form a mixed solution; and adding an inorganic salt compound to the mixed solution. Therefore, the aqueous dispersion of the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may be effectively dispersed.