Dimer Fatty Polyol for Hydrolysis-Resistant Polyurethane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polyurethanes are susceptible to hydrolysis and degradation by UV/thermo-oxidation, limiting their application possibilities due to shortcomings in chemical and thermal stability.

Innovation Solution

A polyol comprising a dimer fatty residue and a linear or branched C17 to C32 dicarboxylic acid or diol residue is used to create a polyurethane with improved properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and hydrolysis resistance, by balancing flexibility and chemical/hydrolysis resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polyurethanes are used, then they provide basic functionality, but they are susceptible to hydrolysis and degradation by UV/thermo-oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis resistanceVSAvoidsusceptibility to hydrolysis and UV/thermo-oxidation degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite polyol structure combining dimer fatty residues (providing hydrophobicity and amorphous character for flexibility) with linear or branched C17-C32 dicarboxylic acid or diol residues (providing crystalline or semicrystalline character for hardness and tensile strength). This composite molecular architecture creates polyurethanes with balanced properties including improved hydrolysis resistance, UV stability, and thermo-oxidative stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If dimer fatty residue is used to provide flexibility and chemical/hydrolysis resistance, then hydrolysis resistance is improved, but hardness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical/hydrolysis resistanceVSAvoidhardness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific functional residues at controlled proportions: dimer fatty residues (amorphous, hydrophobic) are used to provide localized flexibility and chemical resistance, while linear or branched C17-C32 dicarboxylic acid or diol residues (crystalline/semicrystalline) are used to provide localized hardness and tensile strength. The balance between these opposing local properties achieves the desired overall performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If linear or branched C17 to C32 dicarboxylic acid or diol residue is used to provide hardness and tensile strength, then strength is improved, but flexibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the carbon chain length (C17-C32), the proportion of crystalline versus amorphous phases, and the ratio of different polyol components. By adjusting these parameters, the polyurethane achieves an optimal balance where linear or branched C17-C32 residues provide necessary tensile strength and hardness, while dimer fatty residues maintain adequate flexibility and elongation.

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 resulting polyurethane exhibits enhanced thermo-oxidative and UV stability, along with good thermal stability, providing resistance against acids, alkalis, and alcohol, thus expanding its application possibilities.

Implementation Method 1

the dimer fatty residue may provide the flexibility and chemical/hydrolysis resistance due to its amorphous and hydrophobic nature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic nature: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

the linear or branched diacid or diol residue comprising 17 to 32 carbon atoms may provide the hardness or tensile strength due to its crystalline or semicrystalline nature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystalline nature: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3087118B1A polyol based on dimer fatty acid residues and the corresponding polyurethanes
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 CRODA INT PLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polyol comprising a) at least one dimer fatty residue selected from a dimer fatty diacid residue and a dimer fatty diol residue; and b) at least one residue of a linear or branched C17 to 032 dicarboxylic acid or diol; wherein the polyol comprises at least two hydroxyl end groups. The invention also relates to a polyurethane comprising the polyol, the use of the polyol and a method of making the polyurethane.