Epoxy Adhesive Composition for Heat-Triggered Vehicle Part Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesives used in vehicles make disassembly and recycling difficult due to high adhesive strength that persists under normal conditions, hindering the efficient recycling of vehicle parts.

Innovation Solution

An epoxy adhesive composition comprising an epoxy resin, inorganic blowing agent, block isocyanate resin, and acetylene black, which reduces adhesive strength upon heating, allowing easy separation and recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high adhesive strength is maintained under normal conditions, then bonding reliability is improved, but ease of separation for recycling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidease of separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition utilizes thermal parameter changes to achieve different adhesive strengths under different conditions. At normal temperatures, the adhesive maintains high strength for reliable bonding. When heated to specific temperatures (above the melting point of the wax component), the adhesive strength decreases, enabling easy separation. This parameter change approach allows the same adhesive to satisfy both strong bonding requirements and easy recycling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive transitions from a static high-strength state at normal temperatures to a dynamic low-strength state when heated. The wax component melts and the polymer structure becomes more flexible at elevated temperatures, causing the adhesive to lose strength. This dynamic behavior allows the adhesive to adapt its properties based on temperature conditions, providing both strong bonding during service and easy separation during recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If adhesive strength is quickly decreased by heating, then ease of separation is improved, but bonding reliability under actual use conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of separationVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is designed with specific thermal properties that cause it to maintain stability at normal operating temperatures but rapidly lose strength when heated. The wax component and polymer structure are selected to have melting points and transition temperatures that align with this requirement. During actual use (at ambient or moderate temperatures), the adhesive maintains high strength. During recycling (when heated to specific temperatures), the adhesive strength quickly decreases, enabling easy separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is designed to be temporarily strong during its service life but to intentionally fail or lose strength during the recycling process. The wax and polymer combination creates an adhesive that performs its bonding function adequately during use but is designed to decompose or melt when heated for recycling, sacrificing long-term durability to enable easy separation and material recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 adhesive composition maintains high strength under normal conditions while quickly losing adhesion upon heating, facilitating easy disassembly and recycling of vehicle parts, thus supporting environmental sustainability and reducing recycling costs.

Implementation Method 1

The inorganic blowing agent may have a maximum blowing temperature of 150° C. to 160° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The block isocyanate may have a dissociation temperature of 130° C. to 140° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal dissociation: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 3

an epoxy adhesive composition, including a main agent including an epoxy resin, an inorganic blowing agent, a block isocyanate resin, and acetylene black; and a curing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250243392A1Epoxy adhesive composition for easy separation for recycling
Publication Date: 2025.07.31 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an epoxy adhesive composition for easy separation, in which articles using the epoxy adhesive composition are easy to separate and suitable for recycling.