Cyclic Urethane Curable Composition for Abrasion-Resistant Polishing Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polishing pads, particularly those using polyurethane resins, fail to provide superior edge-dripping prevention and abrasion resistance, and exhibit poor handleability, which are critical for advanced polishing applications such as in the production of liquid crystal displays, glass substrates, and semiconductor devices.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition comprising a cyclic molecule with three or more side chains containing active hydrogen groups, a urethane prepolymer with iso(thio)cyanate groups, a diol, and an amino group-containing monomer, which improves the mechanical properties and handleability of the resulting cured product, enhancing its abrasion resistance and polishing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyrotaxane is used as a raw material of a polyurethane resin, then polishing characteristics are improved, but handleability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing characteristicsVSAvoidhandleability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polyrotaxane structure into two separate components: cyclic molecules (such as cyclodextrin derivatives) and axial molecules (polyols). These components can be handled separately as low-viscosity liquids or powders, improving ease of use. During curing, they self-assemble into the desired polyrotaxane-like structure, achieving both good handleability and superior polishing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces host-guest inclusion complexes as an intermediary mechanism. Cyclic molecules form inclusion complexes with axial molecules through host-guest interactions, enabling the assembly of complex polyrotaxane structures from simple, easily handleable components. This intermediary mechanism allows separate handling of components while achieving integrated functionality in the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional polyurethane resins are used for polishing pads, then manufacturing is simplified, but abrasion resistance and edge-dripping prevention are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidabrasion resistance and edge-dripping prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining cyclic molecules (hosts) and axial molecules (guests) to form polyrotaxane-like structures within the polyurethane matrix. This composite approach integrates the mechanical strength and abrasion resistance of polyrotaxane with the manufacturing simplicity of conventional polyurethane resins, achieving both ease of manufacture and superior performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular parameters of the polyurethane resin by incorporating polyrotaxane-like structures formed from cyclic and axial molecules. This parameter change (introducing threaded molecular structures) significantly improves abrasion resistance and edge-dripping prevention while maintaining compatibility with conventional polyurethane manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If polyrotaxane is used to improve polishing performance, then surface flatness is enhanced, but the complexity of the material system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface flatnessVSAvoidmaterial system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex polyrotaxane material system into simple, separate components (cyclic molecules and axial molecules) that can be independently characterized and handled. This segmentation reduces material system complexity while preserving the surface flatness enhancement benefits of polyrotaxane structures through self-assembly during curing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 curable composition yields a polishing pad with superior mechanical properties, enhanced abrasion resistance, and improved handleability, enabling efficient polishing processes in demanding applications.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclic molecule that contains three or more side chains each having at a terminal thereof an active hydrogen-containing group... a urethane prepolymer having an iso(thio)cyanate group on each of both terminals of a molecule

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a diol... and an amino group-containing monomer... it is possible to obtain a cured product having superior physical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20240101819A1Curable composition containing cyclic multifunctional monomer
Publication Date: 2024.03.28 TOKUYAMA CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a curable composition containing (A) a cyclic molecule that contains three or more side chains each having at a terminal thereof an active hydrogen-containing group, (B) a urethane prepolymer having an iso(thio)cyanate group on each of both terminals of a molecule, (C) a diol, and (D) an amino group-containing monomer.According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a curable composition that gives a cured product having a high abrasion resistance and capable of exhibiting superior mechanical properties, in particular, a curable composition that can give a cured product capable of being suitably used in a polishing pad.