Electroconductive Polyamide/PPE Resin Composition for Vehicle Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin alloys face challenges with reduced compatibility and increased costs due to the need for high amounts of electroconductive fillers like carbon fiber or carbon black, which compromise impact resistance and moldability, and require complex extrusion processes.

Innovation Solution

A polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition that includes a base resin of polyphenylene ether and polyamide, an impact modifier, a compatibilizer, and an electroconductive filler with aromatic compounds as byproducts, allowing for improved mechanical strength, impact resistance, and electroconductivity with reduced filler amounts, eliminating the need for pre-compatibilization and simplifying the extrusion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high amounts of electroconductive filler (carbon fiber or carbon black) are added to achieve electroconductivity for electrostatic painting, then electroconductivity is improved, but impact resistance and moldability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveelectroconductivityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of the electroconductive filler from conventional large particles to ultrafine particles (0.1-10 micrometers). This parameter change allows achieving the necessary electroconductivity for electrostatic painting while using significantly smaller amounts of filler, thereby preserving impact resistance and moldability of the polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin alloy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining ultrafine electroconductive filler particles with polyamide and polyphenylene ether resins. This composite approach enables the resin alloy to achieve electroconductivity necessary for electrostatic painting while maintaining the mechanical properties and processability of the base resin system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional carbon black is used to achieve electroconductivity, then electroconductivity is improved, but the amount of filler required increases, resulting in reduced moldability and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveelectroconductivityVSAvoidmoldability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of the electroconductive filler to ultrafine range (0.1-10 micrometers), which dramatically increases the surface area and electrical activity per unit mass. This allows achieving required electroconductivity with much smaller filler amounts (0.1-5 parts by weight), thereby preserving moldability and reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If nano unit carbon fiber or electroconductive carbon black with adjusted size is used to maintain impact resistance and moldability, then mechanical properties are preserved, but compatibility between polyamide and polyphenylene ether deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a compatibilizer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the ultrafine electroconductive filler and the polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin matrix. The compatibilizer has affinity for both the filler particles and the resin phases, enabling smooth compatibilization reaction and maintaining phase compatibility even with the presence of ultrafine filler particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If conventional compatibilization method is used to maintain compatibility, then compatibility is improved, but complex extrusion processing equipment with multiple side feeders is required, increasing investment costs and reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidextrusion processing equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compatibilizer and ultrafine electroconductive filler into a single master batch composition. This merging allows both components to be added simultaneously through a single feeder system, eliminating the need for complex multi-feeder extrusion equipment while maintaining effective compatibilization and electroconductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition achieves excellent mechanical strength, impact resistance, and electroconductivity while reducing the amount of electroconductive filler needed, enhancing economic feasibility and processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an electroconductive filler (d), wherein the electroconductive filler (d) includes aromatic compounds having molecular weights of about 120 to about 1,000 g/mol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroconductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9355754B2Electroconductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and molded product for vehicle using the same
Publication Date: 2016.05.31 LOTTE ADVANCED MATERIALS CO LTD

AI summary

An electroconductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and a molded product for vehicle manufactured using the same includes a base resin (a) including polyphenylene ether (a-1) and polyamide (a-2); an impact modifier (b); a compatibilizer (c); and an electroconductive filler (d). The electroconductive filler (d) includes aromatic compounds having molecular weights of about 120 to about 1,000 g/mol, wherein the aromatic compounds are byproducts generated when preparing the electroconductive filler (d).