Curable Composition Primary Particle Dispersion Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curable resin compositions fail to achieve stable dispersion of core/shell polymer particles in vinyl monomers, leading to aggregated states and inadequate mechanical strength, particularly in thermosetting resins like acrylic and anaerobic adhesives, due to limitations in mechanical shearing forces and heat application methods.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition with a specific configuration, including 0.1 to 100 parts by weight of fine polymer particles with a volume average particle size of 0.05 to 1 µm, dispersed in 100 parts by weight of vinyl monomer, with an active oxygen concentration below 50 ppm, and a shell layer comprising styrene, achieving primary dispersion without high shearing forces, ensuring stability and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical shearing force is applied to disperse core/shell polymer particles in vinyl monomer, then apparent mixing is achieved, but the particles remain aggregated and not dispersed as primary particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the hydrophobic core/shell polymer particles and the hydrophilic vinyl monomer. The surfactant adsorbs onto the particle surface, providing steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion that prevents aggregation, enabling stable primary particle dispersion without requiring excessive mechanical shearing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the core/shell polymer particles by controlling the shell layer composition and thickness, and by adjusting particle size parameters. These parameter changes in surface energy and morphology enable the particles to be stably dispersed in the vinyl monomer without aggregation, resolving the contradiction between dispersion stability and manufacturing ease.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heat is applied to accelerate dispersion of core/shell polymer, then dispersion is improved, but curing reaction is undesired and quality degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant acts as a protective intermediary that enables dispersion at lower temperatures. By providing steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion, the surfactant allows adequate dispersion without requiring high-temperature heating that would trigger unwanted curing reactions and quality degradation of the vinyl monomer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal energy (heat) with mechanical-chemical energy from the surfactant system. Instead of using heat to overcome aggregation, the surfactant provides colloidal stability through surface activity, enabling dispersion at ambient or moderate temperatures where curing reactions do not occur.
3Ease of operation
If core/shell polymer is used in low viscosity vinyl monomer, then processing is improved, but particles aggregate and primary particle dispersion is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant serves as a mediator that prevents aggregation in low viscosity systems. The low viscosity of the vinyl monomer would normally promote particle movement and aggregation, but the surfactant provides electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance that counteracts this tendency, maintaining stable primary particle dispersion while preserving processing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the zeta potential and surface charge characteristics of the core/shell polymer particles through surfactant adsorption. This parameter change in surface electrostatics prevents particle aggregation even in the low viscosity environment where thermal motion would otherwise promote aggregation, achieving stable dispersion without compromising processing properties.
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 solution enables stable dispersion of fine polymer particles in vinyl monomers, resulting in improved mechanical strength and toughness of the cured articles, maintaining storage life and inhibiting quality degradation, while avoiding high viscosity issues.
Implementation Method 1
the fine polymer particles (B) are dispersed in a state of primary dispersion in the vinyl monomer (A)
Implementation Method 2
a curable resin material modified with fine polymer particles, a curable resin composition and a cured resin article which can be obtained by curing them
Data Source
AI summary
Fine polymer particles are dispersed as primary particles in a vinyl monomer to provide a high quality composition in which the dispersed state and stability of the particles are regulated to a high degree and to provide a curable composition being excellent in handleability and using fine polymer particles as a toughness-imparting agent. For the above, the curable composition of the present invention comprises 100 parts by weight of a vinyl monomer (A) and 0.1 to 100 parts by weight of fine polymer particles (B) having a volume average particle size of 0.05 to 1 µm, in which the fine polymer particles (B) are dispersed in the form of primary particles in the vinyl monomer (A).