Elastomer Composition Self-Adhesion via Amphiphilic Copolymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of adhesion primers in bonding crosslinked elastomers with composite materials is hindered by their solvent-based composition, which poses health and safety risks and sustainability concerns, requires a cooking step, and lacks effective alternatives.
Innovation Solution
Functionalizing the surface of crosslinked elastomers with amphiphilic molecules, specifically a random copolymer containing a maleic anhydride group, to create self-adhesion capabilities with composite materials, eliminating the need for adhesion primers and reducing processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesion primer is used to bond crosslinked elastomer with composite material, then bonding ability is achieved, but health and safety risks increase due to solvent-based composition
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful solvent-based adhesion primer is extracted and removed from the system. Instead, the patent incorporates amphiphilic copolymer directly into the elastomer composition, allowing the elastomer itself to provide adhesion functionality without separate primer layers containing harmful solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer composition is made self-adhesive through the incorporation of amphiphilic copolymer. The copolymer molecules autonomously migrate to the elastomer surface during crosslinking and create chemical bonds with the composite material, eliminating the need for external adhesion primers.
2Strength
If adhesion primer is used to achieve bonding, then adhesion is obtained, but processing complexity increases due to required cooking step
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion function previously provided by a separate primer layer is merged into the elastomer composition itself. The amphiphilic copolymer is incorporated during elastomer formulation, combining the structural and adhesive functions into a single integrated material system.
Solution Approach 2:
The amphiphilic copolymer is pre-incorporated into the elastomer composition before crosslinking. During the crosslinking process, the copolymer molecules automatically migrate to the surface and prepare the interface for bonding, eliminating the need for separate primer application and baking steps.
3Reliability
If adhesion primer is used for bonding, then assembly is achieved, but production costs increase due to primer material and baking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer composition is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural elasticity, thermal protection, and adhesion to composite materials. The amphiphilic copolymer enables the elastomer to simultaneously achieve bonding capability and mechanical performance, eliminating the need for separate primer materials and processing steps.
4Strength
If amphiphilic copolymer is added to elastomer composition, then self-adhesion is achieved, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer composition is formulated as a composite material system incorporating amphiphilic copolymer molecules within the elastomer matrix. This composite approach allows the integration of adhesion functionality while maintaining the fundamental elastomer properties through careful selection of copolymer composition and concentration.
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
This approach enhances the bonding ability of crosslinked elastomers with composite materials, reduces health and safety risks, lowers costs by removing the need for adhesion primers and baking steps, and increases the reliability of the assembly process while maintaining mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
modifying the elastomeric composition by introducing amphiphilic molecules capable of establishing, by migration of the mass towards the surface, during the crosslinking of the elastomeric composition, physicochemical and/or chemical connections
Implementation Method 2
The polar part comprises polar functional chemical groups comprising a maleic anhydride group capable of interacting chemically and/or physically with the resin of the composite which will be brought into contact with the crosslinked elastomer composition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cross-linkable elastomer composition comprising a mixture (a) of an elastomer composition based on an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer elastomer and (b) between 2 and 14 wt. %, in relation to the total weight of the composition, of an amphiphilic statistical copolymer or a block copolymer of a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbonated C2-C4 polymer functionalised by a polar functional group comprising a maleic anhydride group. The invention also relates to the cross-linked composition, to the method for the preparation thereof, and to the use of same as thermal protection and/or internal sealing of a composite material and/or for accommodating the mechanical deformations of said composite material. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising (A) a structure consisting of a composite material and (B) a coating layer consisting of a cross-linked elastomer composition according to the present invention, to the production method thereof and to the use of same in the fields of aeronautics or aerospace.