EVOH Copolymer Resin Composition for Multi-Layer Oxygen Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) resin compositions used in laminates for oxygen-barrier applications often face challenges with poor adhesion to other polymers and trade-offs between oxygen-barrier and mechanical properties, requiring improved formulations for enhanced performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of EVOH copolymer resin compositions comprising a combination of two or more EVOH copolymers with specific ethylene content ranges and processing conditions to achieve improved uniform thickness and oxygen barrier properties, along with enhanced mechanical properties, through a multi-layer structure incorporating an adhesive layer between the EVOH and other polymer layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If EVOH copolymer with lower ethylene content is used, then oxygen-barrier properties are improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen-barrier propertiesVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite EVOH resin composition combining EVOH copolymer A (lower ethylene content 20-35 mole%) for oxygen barrier properties and EVOH copolymer B (higher ethylene content 35-65 mole%) for mechanical properties. This composite approach allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously by leveraging the strengths of each component copolymer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If EVOH resin composition is coextruded with other polymers, then laminate production is enabled, but adhesion to other polymers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaminate productionVSAvoidadhesion to other polymers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adhesive resin layer as an intermediary between the EVOH layer and other polymer layers. This adhesive layer mediates the bonding interface, enabling effective adhesion between EVOH and incompatible polymers while maintaining the integrity of the coextrusion laminate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If adhesive resin is added to bond EVOH layer, then adhesion is improved, but laminate structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidlaminate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thickness of the adhesive resin layer to a specific range (1-10 micrometers) to achieve effective adhesion while minimizing the increase in overall laminate complexity. By controlling this critical parameter, the adhesive layer provides necessary bonding functionality without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4209547A1Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition and multi-layer structure comprising thereof

Publication Date: 2023.07.12 CHANG CHUN PETROCHEMICAL CO LTD

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AI summary

ETHYLENE-VINYL ALCOHOL COPOLYMER RESIN COMPOSITION AND MULTI-LAYER STRUCTURE COMPRISING THEREOF The present disclosure provides ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin compositions, and multilayer structure comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin compositions with uniform thickness.