Fluorinated Copolymer Wire Coating Abrasion Insulation Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluorinated copolymer compositions used for electric wire-coating materials require both electrical insulating properties and abrasion resistance, but existing solutions compromise on either property, particularly when glass fibers are incorporated, which impair insulation.

Innovation Solution

A fluorinated copolymer composition comprising tetrafluoroethylene-derived units, a fluorinated monomer, and a monomer with an acid anhydride residue, combined with a polyetheretherketone thermoplastic resin in specific ratios, to achieve enhanced abrasion resistance and electrical insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glass fibers are incorporated to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but electrical insulation properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidelectrical insulation properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes glass fibers from the composition entirely, replacing them with a fluorinated copolymer matrix that provides both abrasion resistance and electrical insulation inherently, eliminating the need for fibrous reinforcements that compromise insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite fluorinated copolymer system combining PFA with specific fluorinated monomers (R1202, R1225ye, R134a) to create a homogeneous material that achieves both abrasion resistance and electrical insulation through molecular composition rather than physical reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If PFA is used to achieve excellent electrical properties and heat resistance, then electrical insulation and heat resistance are improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulation propertiesVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of PFA by incorporating specific fluorinated monomers (R1202, R1225ye, R134a) at controlled ratios, which changes the physical properties to enhance abrasion resistance while preserving electrical insulation characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces localized structural variations within the polymer chains through the incorporation of different fluorinated monomer units, creating regions with enhanced mechanical strength and abrasion resistance while maintaining the overall electrical insulation properties of the PFA matrix

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2818516B1Fluorine-containing copolymer composition, molded article, and electric wire
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 AGC INC
  • EP2818516B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

To provide a fluorinated copolymer composition which is excellent in physical properties such as abrasion resistance, etc. and which is suitable for use as e.g. an electric wire-coating material; a molded product; and an electric wire. The fluorinated copolymer composition comprises fluorinated copolymer (A) comprising constituent units (a) derived from tetrafluoroethylene, constituent units (b) derived from a fluorinated monomer (provided that tetrafluoroethylene is excluded), and constituent units (c) derived from a monomer having an acid anhydride residue and no fluorine atom, in a specific ratio, and thermoplastic resin (B) having a Rockwell hardness of at least M60 and an insulation performance as defined by ASTM D-257 of at least 1015Ω·cm in a volume ratio of (A)/(B) = from 99/1 to 55/45. The molded product and the electric wire are ones prepared by using such a fluorinated copolymer composition.