Epoxide Silicone-Acrylate Copolymers for Stronger Silicone Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silicone networks exhibit poor mechanical properties, such as low tensile and tear strength, limiting their use in applications that could benefit from their inherent attributes, and they are often incompatible with carbon-based polymers.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition comprising an epoxide-functional silicone-acrylate polymer and an aminosiloxane with at least two amine functional groups per molecule, which can be reacted to form a copolymer, enhancing mechanical properties and compatibility with carbon-based polymers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional silicone networks are used, then inherent attributes such as low-loss and stable optical transmission are maintained, but mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear strength are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidoptical transmission stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system by incorporating carbon-based polymer particles (acrylate, vinyl, or styrene-based) within the silicone network. This composite structure allows the silicone matrix to maintain its inherent optical transmission stability while the carbon-based polymer reinforcement provides enhanced tensile and tear strength, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and optical stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the silicone network parameters by introducing crosslinking agents and varying the silicone polymer composition (different siloxane unit ratios, molecular weights). These parameter changes optimize the balance between mechanical strength and optical properties, achieving both high tensile strength and stable optical transmission characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional silicone networks are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but compatibility with carbon-based polymers is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with carbon-based polymersVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses silane coupling agents as intermediaries that chemically bridge the silicone matrix and carbon-based polymer particles. These coupling agents contain both silicone-compatible and carbon-based polymer-compatible functional groups, enabling effective interfacial adhesion and compatibility between the two otherwise incompatible material systems while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-step mixing and curing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If silicone-acrylate copolymer is synthesized with higher carbon content, then compatibility with carbon-based polymers improves, but mechanical properties may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with carbon-based polymersVSAvoidtear strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous structure where carbon-based polymer particles are distributed as discrete reinforcement phases within the silicone matrix, rather than uniformly mixing at the molecular level. This localized incorporation allows the bulk silicone matrix to maintain its mechanical integrity and tear strength while the localized carbon-based polymer regions provide enhanced compatibility and interfacial adhesion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 results in a cured product with improved mechanical properties, enabling broader application in composite materials and other uses.

Implementation Method 1

reacting (A) an acryloxy-functional organosilicon component, (B) an epoxy-functional acrylate component, and optionally (C) an acrylate component, to give the silicone-acrylate polymer (I)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 2

reacting together the silicone-acrylate polymer (I) and the aminosiloxane (II) to give the copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS12503556B2Silicone-acrylate polymers, copolymers, and related methods and compositions

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 DOW SILICONES CORP

AI summary

A curable composition is disclosed. The curable composition comprises (I) an epoxide-functional silicone-acrylate polymer and (II) an aminosiloxane. The epoxide-functional silicone-acrylate polymer comprises acrylate-derived monomeric units comprising siloxane moieties, epoxide-functional moieties, and optionally, hydrocarbyl moieties, and the aminosiloxane comprises an average of at least two amine functional groups per molecule. A method of preparing the curable composition is also disclosed, and includes reacting (A) an acryloxy-functional organosilicon component, (B) an epoxy-functional acrylate component, and optionally (C) an acrylate component, to give the epoxide-functional silicone-acrylate polymer (I), and combining the epoxide-functional silicone-acrylate polymer (I) with the aminosiloxane (II). An aminosiloxane-silicone-acrylate copolymer prepared with the composition, a cured product comprising the same, and methods of preparing the same, are also disclosed.