EVOH Resin Composition With Titanium for Melt Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) resin compositions with low saponification degrees suffer from insufficient thermal stability during melt-molding, leading to rapid decomposition and poor extrusion stability, and the use of volatile aldehyde compounds can cause malodor and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specific small amount of a titanium compound into the EVOH resin, with a content of 0.001 ppm to 5 ppm in terms of metal, enhances thermal stability by suppressing thermal degradation and maintaining extrusion stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a low saponification degree EVOH resin is used to improve flexibility and transparency, then flexibility and transparency are improved, but thermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A titanium compound is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the low saponification degree EVOH resin and thermal degradation. The titanium compound acts as a stabilizer that prevents direct thermal decomposition of the resin, allowing the resin to maintain both flexibility and thermal stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The saponification degree parameter is specifically controlled within the range of 91-99.5 mol% to optimize the balance between flexibility and thermal stability. Additionally, the titanium compound content is precisely controlled at 0.001-5 ppm to achieve thermal stabilization without compromising the resin's inherent flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the titanium compound content is increased to improve thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but extrusion stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidextrusion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The titanium compound content is precisely controlled within the optimal range of 0.001-5 ppm. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient thermal stabilization while preventing excessive titanium accumulation that would cause extrusion instability. The lower limit ensures effective thermal protection, while the upper limit prevents manufacturing defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If aldehyde compounds are used to suppress oxidative degradation, then oxidative degradation is suppressed, but malodor and environmental hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxidative degradation resistanceVSAvoidmalodor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The titanium compound serves as an alternative intermediary substance that provides oxidative degradation protection without the harmful side effects of aldehyde compounds. It mediates between the EVOH resin and oxidative stress through a different chemical mechanism that does not produce malodorous byproducts or environmental hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of using chemical additives by selecting a titanium compound that provides protective benefits without the harmful characteristics of alternative additives like aldehydes. The titanium compound offers oxidative protection while being environmentally benign and odorless.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 EVOH resin composition exhibits increased thermal decomposition temperature and improved thermal stability, preventing rapid decomposition during melt-molding and reducing environmental hazards from volatile compounds.

Implementation Method 1

incorporation of a specific small amount of a titanium compound into the EVOH resin... suppresses thermal degradation... increases the thermal decomposition temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4692227A1Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition and production method therefor, pellet, multilayer structure, and production method therefor

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP

AI summary

Provided is a composition described below as an EVOH resin composition having an increased thermal decomposition temperature at the time of melt-molding and excellent thermal stability. An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition containing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and a titanium compound, wherein the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer has a saponification degree of more than 91 mol% and 99.5 mol% or less, and a content of the titanium compound in terms of metal is 0.001 ppm or more and less than 5 ppm per mass of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition.