Curable Composition with Multiple Latent Curing Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesives for motor vehicle body shop processes require higher temperatures for curing, which is energy-intensive and not environmentally friendly, and do not meet the demands for lower temperature curing while maintaining properties like hardness, elongation, and shear strength.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition comprising an elastomer, epoxy resin, latent curing agent, filler, thermoplastic resin, and crosslinking agent, with the latent curing agent being a combination of two or more latent curing agents, including an imidazole compound and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dihydrazide, to achieve effective curing at lower temperatures (130°C to 165°C).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional single latent curing agent systems are used, then curing temperature is high (170-180°C), but energy consumption increases and environmental friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single latent curing agent is segmented into multiple latent curing agents with different activation characteristics. This allows the curing process to occur in stages at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing temperature parameter is changed from conventional high temperatures (170-180°C) to lower temperatures (130-165°C) by modifying the curing agent system. This parameter change is achieved through selecting latent curing agents with appropriate activation energies for low-temperature curing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If curing temperature is reduced to 130-165°C, then energy consumption decreases, but maintaining adhesive properties like shear strength and elongation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition uses a composite system combining epoxy resin with multiple latent curing agents. This composite approach allows the material to achieve both low-temperature curability and high mechanical performance, as each component contributes different properties that complement each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies successful curing mechanisms from high-temperature systems but adapts them for low-temperature operation by selecting latent curing agents that activate at lower temperatures while producing similar crosslinked network structures that provide mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If conventional adhesive formulations are used, then adhesion to oil surfaces is achieved, but curing requires high temperatures that are not environmentally friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The curing temperature parameter is fundamentally changed from high to low range, eliminating the need for energy-intensive high-temperature furnaces while maintaining adhesion performance. This reduces environmental harm associated with high-temperature industrial processes.
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 composition ensures excellent adhesion, storage stability, and balanced physical properties, including shear strength and elongation, while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact by allowing curing at lower temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive for motor vehicles comprising a curable composition comprising: an elastomer (A), an epoxy resin (B), a latent curing agent (C)
Implementation Method 2
a crosslinking agent (F) for elastomers
Implementation Method 3
an elastomer (A)
Implementation Method 4
a thermoplastic resin (E)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a curable composition comprising an elastomer (A), an epoxy resin (B) and a latent curing agent (C), wherein the latent curing agent (C) comprises a combination of two or more latent curing agents.