Farnesene-Based Curable Polymer Compositions for Low Viscosity Hydrophobic Sealants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrophobic polymer compositions based on polybutadiene polyols or silicone polymers have high viscosities, making it difficult to formulate curable encapsulants or coating formulations with good flow characteristics for spray application, and reducing hydrophobicity when attempting to lower viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Development of farnesene-based homopolymers or copolymers with terminal functional groups, such as amino, glycidyl, or carboxylic acid groups, which can be used to create curable compositions with lower viscosity and maintain hydrophobicity, allowing for easier application and incorporation of higher filler levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic polymer compositions based on polybutadiene polyols or silicone polymers are used, then hydrophobicity is achieved, but viscosity becomes high making formulation and application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer backbone by using farnesene-based polymers instead of conventional polybutadiene or silicone polymers. This structural parameter change results in lower viscosity while maintaining the hydrophobic character, resolving the contradiction between hydrophobicity and ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite curable compositions by combining farnesene-based polymers with various functional additives, fillers, and crosslinking agents. This composite approach allows optimization of both viscosity for application and hydrophobicity for performance, simultaneously addressing both requirements.
2Ease of operation
If plasticizers and low molecular weight non-functional additives are used to lower viscosity, then flow characteristics improve, but cure times increase and tensile properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for harmful plasticizers and non-functional additives by using farnesene-based polymers that inherently provide low viscosity. This removal of unnecessary components prevents the degradation of tensile properties and cure times while maintaining good flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using permanent plasticizers that remain in the cured product and compromise strength, the invention employs a temporary low-viscosity state during application that is subsequently replaced by the cured network structure, eliminating the need for compromising additives in the final product.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer having a hydrophobic polymer chain derived from monomers of farnesene and other optional monomers, such as dienes and vinyl aromatics. The polymer also includes one or more terminal functional groups, such as an amino group, a glycidyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a (meth)acrylate group, a silane group, an isocyanate group, an acetoacetate group, a phenolic group, and a hydroxyl group. Functional groups, such as carboxylic acids, may also be grafted along the hydrophobic polymer chain. The polymer may be incorporated in curable compositions that optionally include one or more polymer resins having similar functional groups. Methods for preparing the curable polymer compositions are also provided. The curable or cured form of the polymer composition may be used in various products, such as a sealant, a coating, a caulk, an electric potting compound, a membrane, a sponge, a foam, an adhesive, or a propellant binder.