Crosslinkable Organosilane Compositions with Thixotropic Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing crosslinkable compositions require thermal treatment of thixotropic agents, which increases production costs and logistical efforts, and involves additional process steps, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of organyloxysilane-terminated polymers with thixotropic agents and subsequent storage for at least 7 days at temperatures below 80°C, eliminating the need for thermal activation of thixotropic agents, thereby simplifying the process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thermal treatment is applied to activate thixotropic agents, then thixotropic properties are achieved, but production costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thixotropic agent is incorporated into the composition in advance during mixing, but its activation is deferred to occur naturally during storage at ambient temperature. This preliminary incorporation without immediate activation eliminates the need for subsequent thermal treatment, reducing energy consumption while ensuring thixotropic properties develop during the storage period before application.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thermal treatment is applied to activate thixotropic agents, then thixotropic properties are achieved, but production time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thixotropic agent is mixed into the composition during the initial formulation stage, and its activation is scheduled to occur during the mandatory storage period. This approach integrates the activation step into the existing storage timeline rather than adding a separate thermal treatment step, thereby eliminating additional process time and complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thermal treatment is applied to activate thixotropic agents, then thixotropic properties are achieved, but logistical efforts and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thixotropic agent is incorporated during mixing and designed to activate spontaneously during storage at ambient temperature. This eliminates the need for thermal treatment equipment such as heating chambers, ovens, or temperature-controlled processing equipment, thereby reducing logistical complexity and equipment requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If storage time is extended to at least 7 days without thermal treatment, then thixotropic properties develop naturally, but availability for immediate use decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is formulated and mixed in advance with the thixotropic agent incorporated, and is then stored for the required period to allow natural activation. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the composition is needed for application, the thixotropic properties are already fully developed, making it immediately ready for use without requiring subsequent thermal treatment.
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 allows for the development of crosslinkable compositions with thixotropic properties without thermal treatment, enhancing storage stability and crosslinking rates while reducing energy consumption and production time.
Implementation Method 1
On contact with water or atmospheric moisture, these alkoxysilane-terminated polymers are able to condense with one another even at room temperature, with elimination of the alkoxy groups.
Implementation Method 2
For many applications, both in the area of adhesives and sealants, formulations having a high thixotropy are desired, i.e. formulations that have a low viscosity at high shear rates and can therefore be applied from the cartridge or other container with little or at least moderate force
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing crosslinkable compositions (M) by mixing (A) 100 parts by weight of compounds of the formula Y—[(CR12)b—SiRa(OR2)3-a]x (I) and (B) 0.1 to 75 parts by weight of at least one thixotropic agent. The at least one thixotropic agent is selected from fatty acid amides, polyamide waxes, polyamide wax derivatives, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, polyester amides, polyureas, oxidized polyethylenes and metal soaps and optionally further components. The period of time from the start of the mixing step of (A) and (B) to the end of storage of the crosslinkable composition (M) is at least 7 days and during this period all process steps are carried out at temperatures below 59° C.