Fluorinated Block Copolyester Polymer Blend for Durable Soil Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface treatments for polyester and polyamide textile fibers, which aim to provide oil and soil repellency, tend to degrade over time due to repeated wear, requiring frequent restoration and leading to premature deterioration of the textile articles.
Innovation Solution
A block copolymer with a blockiness index in the range of 0.56 to 0.8 is created by combining non-fluorinated and fluoroether functionalized alkylene arylate repeat units, which is melt-blended with a poly(alkylene arylate) to form a polymer blend, enhancing the durability of oil and soil resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surface treatments are applied to provide oil and soil repellency, then initial soil resistance is improved, but durability deteriorates due to repeated wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite polymer structure comprising fluorinated block copolyester and non-fluorinated polyester. The fluorinated blocks provide soil repellency through fluorine atoms on the fiber surface, while the non-fluorinated blocks provide mechanical strength and durability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining the beneficial properties of both materials in a single integrated fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies fluorine atoms specifically at the fiber surface through fluoroether modified aromatic polyester blocks, while maintaining the bulk polymer structure with non-fluorinated polyester blocks. This local concentration of fluorine at the surface provides effective soil resistance without compromising the mechanical durability provided by the non-fluorinated regions.
2Reliability
If fluorinated chemicals are used to reduce surface energy for oil repellency, then soil resistance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular structure parameter by incorporating fluoroether modified aromatic polyester blocks with specific repeating units containing fluorinated ethoxy groups. This structural modification allows fluorine atoms to be integrated into the polymer backbone itself rather than added as surface coatings, achieving effective soil resistance with controlled fluorine concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a polymer structure that copies the effective surface properties of fluorinated chemicals by incorporating fluorinated repeat units directly into the polymer chain. The fluoroether modified aromatic polyester blocks replicate the low surface energy characteristics of conventional fluorinated coatings while providing permanent integration into the fiber structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fluorine atoms are placed within the fiber body, then polymer integrity is maintained, but fluorine efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the polymer chain into distinct fluorinated blocks and non-fluorinated blocks. The fluorinated blocks (containing fluoroether modified aromatic polyester repeat units) provide fluorine efficiency for soil resistance, while the non-fluorinated blocks maintain polymer integrity and mechanical properties. This segmentation allows each region to optimize for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention concentrates fluorine atoms in specific local regions (the fluorinated blocks) rather than distributing them uniformly throughout the entire polymer structure. This local concentration maximizes fluorine efficiency for soil resistance while maintaining overall polymer integrity through the non-fluorinated blocks that provide structural support.
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 polymer blend achieves high fluorine efficiency by maximizing the surface residence of fluorine atoms, resulting in durable oil and soil repellency with improved property retention, reducing the need for frequent restoration.
Implementation Method 1
Fluorinated chemicals are highly effective at reducing the surface energy of polyester and polyamide textile goods
Implementation Method 2
the lower the concentration of additives in a polymer, the higher the property retention of the polymer itself. The higher the percentage of the fluorine atoms that reside on the surface of the fiber, the higher the so-called fluorine efficiency
Implementation Method 3
melt-blending a fluorinated block copolyester with a non-fluorinated polyester
Implementation Method 4
the higher the percentage of fluorine atoms that reside on the surface of the fiber, the higher the so-called fluorine efficiency. A high fluorine efficiency is highly desirable
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are shaped articles fabricated from polymer blends comprising a fluorinated block copolyester and a non-fluorinated polyester wherein the fluorinated block copolyester comprises blocks of fluoroether modified aromatic polyester and blocks of unmodified polyester. Suitable block copolyesters have a blockiness index, B, in the range of 0.25 to 1.0. Shaped articles that can be made from the copolyesters include films, fibers, and molded parts.