Emulsion Polymer Matting Agent for Vehicle Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing gloss in vehicle materials, such as using inorganic fillers or crosslinked styrene acrylonitrile copolymers, either fail to achieve a sufficient matting effect or compromise mechanical strength and appearance quality.

Innovation Solution

The development of a matting agent comprising emulsion polymer particles produced using a polymerizable composition including an aromatic vinyl compound, an unsaturated nitrile compound, and an alicyclic epoxy compound, allowing for controlled crosslinking and effective matting without deteriorating mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If inorganic filler is added to achieve matting effect, then gloss reduction is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates when excessive amount is used

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveglossVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a specific organic filler composition (silica particles with controlled surface treatment) instead of conventional inorganic fillers. The filler particles are treated with silane coupling agents and have controlled surface charge, which modifies their interaction with the polymer matrix to maintain mechanical strength while achieving matting effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polymer matrix with specifically treated filler particles. The composite structure uses filler particles with controlled surface properties (silane treatment, surface charge modification) to achieve synergistic effects where the matting function is maintained while mechanical strength is preserved through improved interfacial bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If crosslinked styrene acrylonitrile copolymer is used to reduce gloss, then matting effect is improved, but appearance quality deteriorates due to black spots and defects

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveglossVSAvoidappearance quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic crosslinking reaction step from the matting agent synthesis process. Instead of using crosslinked styrene acrylonitrile copolymer, the invention uses linear polymer chains with controlled molecular weight and specific composition (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer with controlled crosslinking degree) to achieve matting effect without the appearance defects caused by excessive crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameters and composition ratios of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer to optimize performance. By controlling the molecular weight distribution and styrene-to-acrylonitrile ratio, the patent achieves adequate matting effect while preventing the formation of black spots and surface defects that occur with conventional crosslinking processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If emulsion polymer particles are produced with controlled crosslinking, then matting effect is improved, but production process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematting effectVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the filler particles with silane coupling agents and controlling their surface properties before incorporating them into the polymer matrix. This preliminary surface modification simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex in-situ crosslinking reactions during polymerization, while still achieving controlled crosslinking effects for optimal matting performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 matting agent achieves an excellent matting effect with improved mechanical properties and appearance quality, even with a small amount added, and can be used in extrusion or injection-molding processes without compromising existing polymer properties.

Implementation Method 1

an epoxy group of the alicyclic epoxy compound is ring-opened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing-opening reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

produced using a polymerizable composition including an aromatic vinyl compound, an unsaturated nitrile compound, and an alicyclic epoxy compound by an emulsion polymerization method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12305077B2Matting agent including emulsion polymer particles, matting polymer composition including matting agent, and method of producing emulsion polymer particles
Publication Date: 2025.05.20 HANNANOTECH

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a matting agent including emulsion polymer particles, a matting polymer composition including a matting agent, and a method of producing emulsion polymer particles. The emulsion polymer particles may be produced by a simple process using an emulsion polymerization method, and have the advantage of being relatively easy to control a degree of crosslinking. In addition, in a case where a matting polymer composition is prepared using a matting agent including the emulsion polymer particles, it is possible to manufacture a molded article having excellent appearance and matting effect without deterioration of the existing mechanical properties such as impact strength and tensile strength of a thermoplastic polymer, and in particular, an excellent matting effect may be exerted even in the extrusion processing, which has been difficult to achieve in the related art.