Crosslinkable Polymer Powder with High Epoxide Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crosslinkable polymer compositions redispersible in water face challenges with premature crosslinking due to high contents of epoxide groups, which compromise storage stability and reactivity, especially when used in construction chemical products without mineral binders.

Innovation Solution

The development of crosslinkable polymer powder compositions comprising high amounts of epoxide compounds combined with vinyl ester polymers, where the vinyl ester polymers do not contain epoxide-functional monomer units, achieving a composition with ≥51% epoxide compounds by weight, along with optional curing agents that crosslink with epoxide compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high amounts of epoxide compounds are added to polymer compositions to improve crosslinking efficiency and mechanical strength, then reactivity and mechanical strength are improved, but premature crosslinking occurs during storage reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces mineral binders (cement, gypsum, lime) as intermediary substances that contain basic components to neutralize the acidity of carboxylic acid groups in the polymer. This mediator prevents premature crosslinking by adjusting the pH environment, allowing high epoxide content (≥51% by weight) to be stored stably while maintaining crosslinking potential for later application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pH parameter of the composition by adding basic mineral binders that neutralize acidic carboxylic acid groups. This parameter change prevents premature crosslinking during storage while preserving the crosslinking reactivity for later use, resolving the contradiction between high epoxide content and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If epoxide compounds are combined with amino curing agents in aqueous dispersion to enable crosslinking, then crosslinking capability is achieved, but premature crosslinking occurs during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosslinking capabilityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the amino curing agent from the composition during storage, keeping only the epoxide compounds and polymer in aqueous dispersion. The crosslinking capability is preserved in the form of reactive epoxide groups that will react with amino curing agents added later during application, preventing premature crosslinking while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If dispersion powders are used to improve mechanical strength and adhesion in construction products, then performance is improved, but the system requires mineral binders limiting water resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polymer, epoxide compounds, and mineral binders in a synergistic formulation. The mineral binders provide structural strength while the epoxide-polymer matrix provides water resistance, achieving both improved mechanical strength and water resistance simultaneously through composite material design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 ensures high reactivity and storage stability, preventing premature crosslinking and enabling the formation of water-resistant films without mineral binders, with the crosslinkable polymer powder compositions demonstrating improved mechanical strength and adhesion properties.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinkable polymer powder compositions comprising high amounts of compounds bearing epoxide groups in combination with vinyl ester polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

crosslinkable polymer powder compositions redispersible in water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS12134692B2Crosslinkable polymer-powder compositions redispersible in water
Publication Date: 2024.11.05 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

A crosslinkable polymer powder compositions redispersible in water includes one or more vinyl ester polymers, one or more compounds bearing epoxide groups and optionally one or more curing agents which crosslink with the compounds bearing epoxide groups. The vinyl ester polymers do not comprise any epoxide-functional monomer units. The crosslinkable polymer powder compositions redispersible in water includes ≥51% by weight, based on the total weight of the vinyl ester polymers, of one or more compounds bearing epoxide groups.