EVOH Copolymer Composition for Stable Melt Molding Under Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
EVOH resin is prone to thermal degradation during melt molding due to its hydroxyl groups, leading to reduced productivity and product quality in advanced molding processes with complex structures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating specific amounts of a metal compound from the 4 d-block of the Periodic Table, such as zinc carboxylate, and a minute amount of a titanium compound into the EVOH resin composition, along with other thermoplastic resins like polyolefin and styrene derivatives, to stabilize the resin during heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EVOH resin is used in melt molding with complex structures, then functionality and product performance are improved, but thermal degradation occurs leading to reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
A metal compound (zinc, calcium, or magnesium compound) is introduced as an intermediary substance to suppress thermal degradation of the EVOH resin during melt molding. The metal compound acts as a mediator between the heat source and the EVOH resin, preventing direct harmful interactions and enabling stable processing in complex molding apparatuses while maintaining productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If EVOH resin is heated during melt molding, then molding process is enabled, but thermal degradation causes coloration and reduced product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The metal compound serves as a protective intermediary that enables the heating process to proceed while preventing thermal degradation. It mediates the thermal energy transfer to the EVOH resin, allowing the molding process to function while maintaining product appearance quality by suppressing coloration and degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of heat (which causes thermal degradation) into a beneficial process by introducing the metal compound. The heat that would normally degrade the EVOH resin is now harnessed for molding while the metal compound ensures the heat does not cause degradation, thus converting a harmful factor into a controlled beneficial process.
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 significantly suppresses thermal degradation, enhancing thermal stability and maintaining long-run workability, thereby improving the productivity and quality of melt-molded products.
Implementation Method 1
an EVOH resin composition suppressing thermal degradation of an EVOH resin during heating in melt molding
Data Source
AI summary
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition which suppresses thermal degradation during melt molding is provided as follows. An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition contains: an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A); at least one compound (B) selected from a group consisting of a metal compound belonging to period 4 d-block of a long Periodic Table (other than a titanium compound) (B1), a specific polyolefin resin (B2), an olefin polymer (B3), a polyamide resin (B4), and a styrene derivative having a substituent at an α-position (B5); and a titanium compound (C), wherein the amount of the titanium compound (C) on a metal basis is 0.00005 ppm or more and less than 5 ppm per mass of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition.