EVOH Capsule Epoxy Resin Oxygen Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current curable adhesive compositions fail to achieve high adhesive strength immediately after application, exhibit excellent flexibility, and provide adequate oxygen barrier performance, especially for sealing flexible substrates in electronic devices and other applications where oxygen permeation control is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition comprising bisphenol F epoxy resin and ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer capsules, dispersed in a specific weight ratio, which improves oxygen transmission rate and physical properties such as toughness and durability, along with the inclusion of rubber-modified epoxy resin and epoxy acrylate components for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional curable adhesive compositions are used, then they can be applied by melt or liquid coating and cured by heat or radiation, but they fail to achieve adequate oxygen barrier performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen barrier performanceVSAvoidsuitability for flexible substrate sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines EVOH copolymer (providing oxygen barrier properties) with curable adhesive composition (providing bonding and flexibility). This composite structure allows the sealant to simultaneously achieve excellent oxygen barrier performance and maintain adaptability for flexible substrate sealing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The EVOH copolymer is dispersed as particles within the adhesive composition, creating localized regions of high oxygen barrier performance within the bulk material. This allows the sealant to provide oxygen barrier function at specific locations while maintaining overall flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If high adhesive strength is achieved immediately after application, then bond strength is improved, but flexibility and durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidflexibility and durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a curable adhesive composition that transitions from a flexible liquid/gel state during application to a crosslinked network structure after curing. This parameter change allows high adhesive strength to be achieved immediately upon application while the curing process subsequently locks in flexibility and durability through controlled crosslinking density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of EVOH particles with the curable adhesive matrix creates a composite where the particles provide structural reinforcement and barrier properties, while the polymer matrix provides flexibility. After curing, the crosslinked network maintains both strength and flexibility through the synergistic interaction of these components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If oxygen barrier performance is improved through material selection, then oxygen transmission rate is reduced, but the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen barrier performanceVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The EVOH copolymer is dispersed as particles with controlled morphology within the adhesive composition. This particle dispersion approach provides oxygen barrier performance through the tortuous path effect created by the particles, achieving effective oxygen blocking without requiring complex multilayer structures or extensive compositional modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 achieves rapid curing, high adhesive strength, excellent flexibility, and improved oxygen barrier performance, making it suitable for applications requiring durable seals in sensitive devices and materials.

Implementation Method 1

improved oxygen barrier properties... improved oxygen transmission rate... oxygen permeation control is crucial

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

A large number of curable adhesive compositions is based on a ring-opening reaction of an epoxy resin, i.e. these curable adhesive compositions obtain a high bond strength through a ring-opening polymerization of an epoxy group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3898756B1Curable polymeric compositions having improved oxygen barrier properties
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 SAES GETTERS SPA

AI summary

Curable polymeric compositions with improved barrier property to oxygen suitable to be used on flexible substrates containing a bisphenol F epoxy resin, at least an epoxy acrylate component and at least a rubber modified bisphenol and further comprising EVOH capsules or beads dispersed therein. The polymeric compositions are applicable either by a melt or liquid coating technique and undergo curing upon exposure to heat, showing viscoelastic properties and suitable to provide a cured product having high durability.