Ethylene Copolymer Adhesive for Extrusion Lamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesive compositions based on ethylene polymers or copolymers face limitations in adhesion to various substrates, particularly oriented plastic films like polyester (OPET), polypropylene (OPP), and polyamide (OPA), and are sensitive to moisture and high-temperature conditions, with limited versatility in extrusion-coating and extrusion-lamination processes.

Innovation Solution

An adhesive composition comprising unsaturated carboxylic acid ester comonomers greater than 5% by weight and functional comonomers with reactive acid, anhydride, or epoxide groups less than 1% by weight, specifically designed for extrusion-coating and extrusion-lamination, allowing bonding across different substrates over a wide temperature range while being insensitive to moisture and reducing odor emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymers are used as adhesive composition, then adhesion to aluminum support is achieved, but adhesion to oriented plastic films (OPET, OPP, OPA) is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to different substratesVSAvoidadhesion performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite adhesive composition combining ethylene copolymer base resin with specific functional additives including silane coupling agents andé’› oxide, creating a multi-component system that provides both broad substrate compatibility and reliable adhesion performance across different materials including metals and plastics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by controlling the content of carboxylic acid groups (0.5-5 mmol/g) and incorporating specific ratios of silane coupling agents, thereby tuning the adhesive properties to achieve versatile adhesion across different substrate types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high maleic anhydride content (1.4-2.5 wt %) is used in ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate/maleic anhydride terpolymer, then adhesion to aluminum is improved, but sensitivity to moisture increases and adhesion to plastic films deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to aluminumVSAvoidmoisture sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces the maleic anhydride content to 0.1-0.6 wt % and controls carboxylic acid group content to 0.5-5 mmol/g, thereby reducing moisture sensitivity while maintaining adhesion performance through compensation by silane coupling agents and titanium oxide additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces silane coupling agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the adhesive and various substrates, providing moisture resistance and broad substrate compatibility without requiring high maleic anhydride content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer with low acid content is used, then odor emission is reduced, but adhesion versatility to different substrates is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor emissionVSAvoidadhesion to various substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system where ethylene copolymer base resin (providing low odor) is combined with silane coupling agents and titanium oxide, allowing maintenance of low acid content (0.5-5 mmol/g) while achieving versatile adhesion through the synergistic effect of additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 exhibits improved adhesion properties across a wide range of substrates, maintains performance at high temperatures, and reduces odor levels, demonstrating enhanced versatility and stability compared to conventional adhesives.

Implementation Method 1

An adhesive composition composed of at least one ethylene polymer or copolymer... useful for extrusion-coating and extrusion-lamination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11459477B2Adhesive composition based on ethylene copolymers, useful for extrusion-coating and extrusion-lamination on a variety of supports
Publication Date: 2022.10.04 SK GEO CENTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

The invention concerns an adhesive composition consisting of at least one ethylene polymer or copolymer, said composition comprising at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid ester comonomer, and at least one functional comonomer, useful in an extrusion-coating process for application on a support or in an extrusion-lamination process for bonding together several supports of different type or not, in a wide temperature range. The invention is characterized in that said composition has an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester content higher than 5 wt % and in that the functional comonomer consists of at least one reactive function in the form of an acid group, anhydride or epoxy, whereof the proportion is less than 1 wt % of the composition. Said composition has advantageous uses, in particular for bonding together substrates selected among aluminum, paper or cardboard, cellophane, films based of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resins, oriented or not, metal-coated or not, physically or chemically treated or not and films coated with a thin inorganic barrier layer, such as polyester (PET, SiOx or AlOx).