Fluorinated Elastomer Composition for Wire Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorinated elastomer compositions, particularly tetrafluoroethylene/propylene (TFE/P) copolymers blended with ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), face issues with heat discoloration resistance and moldability, leading to potential defects like weld lines when used for electric wire coverings, due to inadequate compatibility between the components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluorinated copolymer with a crystallization temperature between 100°C to 210°C, such as ETFE, along with an ethylene copolymer containing epoxy groups, to enhance compatibility and improve heat discoloration resistance and moldability, while maintaining mechanical properties and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ETFE is blended to TFE/P copolymer, then mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear strength are improved, but heat discoloration resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallization temperature parameter of the ETFE copolymer from the conventional range to a specific range of 100°C to 210°C. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting ETFE with optimized crystallization characteristics that provide both improved mechanical strength and enhanced heat discoloration resistance, eliminating the trade-off between these properties.
2Strength
If ETFE is blended to TFE/P copolymer, then cut-through resistance is improved, but moldability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the crystallization temperature parameter of ETFE to the range of 100°C to 210°C, which fundamentally changes the material's processing characteristics. This parameter optimization simultaneously achieves improved cut-through resistance and restored moldability, allowing the material to be easily processed into electric wire coverings without defects like weld lines.
3Strength
If ETFE is blended to TFE/P copolymer, then toughness is improved, but flexibility and elongation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the crystallization temperature parameter of ETFE to the specific range of 100°C to 210°C, the patent achieves a balance between toughness and flexibility. The optimized crystallization characteristics provide enhanced toughness while maintaining adequate flexibility and elongation, resolving the contradiction between these mechanical properties.
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 modified fluorinated elastomer composition exhibits excellent heat discoloration resistance, reduced molding defects, and improved flexibility, making it suitable for electric wire coverings and other applications requiring high performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
using as the fluorinated copolymer ETFE having a crystallization temperature of from 100 to 210°C
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
To provide a fluorinated elastomer composition which is excellent in heat discoloration resistance and moldability, and a molded product, cross-linked product and covered electric wire, using such a fluorinated elastomer composition. A fluorinated elastomer composition comprising a fluorinated rubber (a) and a fluorinated copolymer (b), wherein the fluorinated copolymer (b) has units (A) derived from tetrafluoroethylene and units (B) derived from ethylene in a molar ratio [(A)/(B)] of the units (A) to the units (B) of from 25/75 to 80/20; the fluorinated copolymer (b) has a crystallization temperature of from 100 to 210°C and a melt flow rate of from 0.1 to 1,000 g/10 min.; and the mass ratio [(a)/(b)] of the fluorinated rubber (a) to the fluorinated copolymer (b) is from 80/20 to 20/80.