Epoxidized Fatty Ester Coating for Hydrolysis-Stable Polyester Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aliphatic polyesters from renewable resources face instability in high moisture environments due to hydrolysis, affecting their shelf-life and processibility, and existing stabilizers often react with the polymers, altering their molecular weight and properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating epoxidized fatty esters with high oxirane oxygen content on the surface of aliphatic polyester fibers or in an aqueous composition, which improves hydrolytic stability without reacting with the polymer, thereby maintaining its molecular weight and properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reactive additives are used to crosslink terminal groups of aliphatic polyesters to improve hydrolytic stability, then hydrolytic stability is improved, but molecular weight changes significantly affecting processibility and properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a silane coupling agent as an intermediary substance that forms a protective coating on the polyester fibers without chemically reacting with the polymer chains. This silane layer acts as a barrier to moisture while preserving the original molecular weight and processibility of the aliphatic polyester, resolving the contradiction between hydrolytic stability and manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a thin silane-based protective film on the surface of polyester fibers to prevent hydrolysis. This flexible coating provides hydrolytic stability while not interfering with the bulk properties and processibility of the underlying polymer, allowing the material to be manufactured using conventional methods
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aliphatic polyesters are used for biodegradability and compostability, then environmental protection is improved, but shelf-life stability deteriorates in high moisture environments due to hydrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies silane treatment to polyester fibers before they are exposed to moisture-containing environments. This preliminary protective coating prevents hydrolysis from occurring, thereby extending shelf-life stability while maintaining the inherent biodegradability and compostability of the aliphatic polyester when the protective layer is eventually degraded
Solution Approach 2:
The silane coupling agent serves as an intermediary protective layer between the aliphatic polyester and the moisture in the environment. This mediator prevents direct contact between water and the polyester ester bonds, preserving shelf-life stability without compromising the eventual biodegradability of the system
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 use of epoxidized fatty esters significantly enhances the hydrolytic stability and shelf-life of aliphatic polyester fibers, demonstrated by increased tensile strength and reduced shrinkage, even after aging in aqueous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an epoxidized fatty ester is disposed on the surface of the fiber core
Implementation Method 2
the epoxidized fatty ester...improves the hydrolytic stability of the aliphatic polyester fibrous web
Data Source
AI summary
Fibers, which can be used for making wipes (e.g., antimicrobial wipes), wherein the fibers include a core comprising an aliphatic polyester; and an epoxidized fatty ester having greater than 4.7 wt-% oxirane oxygen, based on the total weight of the epoxidized fatty ester; wherein the epoxidized fatty ester is disposed on the surface of the fiber core.