Decorated Sheet with Nano-Additives for Abrasion and Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Decorative sheets made from polypropylene resins face issues with surface abrasion resistance, post-processing resistance, and compliance with noncombustible material standards due to poor compatibility and high combustibility, while conventional solutions either compromise on transparency or mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A decorative sheet comprising a transparent resin layer with 90-100% crystalline polypropylene resin and a nano-sized nucleating agent, and a top coat layer with a nano-sized dispersant and inorganic fine particles, enhancing transparency, abrasion resistance, and mechanical strength, and satisfying noncombustible material criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a highly crystalline polypropylene resin is used to improve surface abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but cracks and voids are likely to be generated during V-groove bending processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface abrasion resistanceVSAvoidpost-processing resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight distribution (MWD ≤ 4) and pentad fraction (mmmm ≥ 96%) of the polypropylene resin, and by controlling the spherulite size (1-20 μm) through nucleating agents. These parameter adjustments enable the resin to achieve high crystallinity for abrasion resistance while maintaining足够的延展性 for bending processing without cracks or voids

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining polypropylene resin with specific nucleating agents (such as sodium 2,2-methylenebisphosphate) to control crystal structure and spherulite formation. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve high crystallinity for abrasion resistance and controlled morphology for bending processability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If the spherulite size is reduced to less than 1 μm to improve transparency, then transparency is improved, but cracks and voids are generated by interfacial fractures between spherulites

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidpost-processing resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the spherulite size parameter to a specific range of 1-20 μm through controlled nucleation. This parameter optimization balances transparency (smaller spherulites scatter less light) with mechanical integrity (larger spherulites provide better interfacial strength), preventing both excessive light scattering and interfacial fracture during bending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If polyethylene is added to improve film formability, then film formability is improved, but whitening occurs during V-groove bending processing due to poor compatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm formabilityVSAvoidtransparency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains material homogeneity by using polypropylene resin as the primary component (95-100% by weight) and avoiding incompatible polymers like polyethylene. This homogeneous composition ensures uniform crystallization behavior and prevents phase separation that would cause whitening during bending, while still achieving good film formability through proper processing conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

4Strength

If the molecular weight distribution is reduced to enhance abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the resin becomes more difficult to process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface abrasion resistanceVSAvoidprocessability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight distribution parameter to MWD ≤ 4, which is a relatively narrow distribution. This parameter setting provides sufficient molecular weight for abrasion resistance while maintaining adequate chain entanglement for processability. The balanced MWD allows the resin to be processed at standard temperatures without excessive difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides improved surface abrasion resistance, post-processing resistance, and compliance with noncombustible material standards, while maintaining high transparency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions during disposal.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent resin layer containing as a main component 90 to 100% by weight of a crystalline polypropylene resin having an isotactic pentad fraction (mmmm fraction) of 95% or more, wherein an average particle size of a spherulite of a crystal part consisting of the crystalline polypropylene resin of the transparent resin layer is 2000 nm or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallisation: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

a top coat layer containing a nano-sized dispersant and inorganic fine particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3219488B1Decorated sheet
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3219488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219488B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3219488B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A decorated sheet according to the present disclosure consists of a plurality of resin layers, wherein at least one of the resin layers comprises a nano-sized additive.