Fluorochemical Urethane Coating for Durable Substrate Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for compositions that provide effective water and oil repellency and antisoiling characteristics, particularly for fibrous substrates, as existing solutions are inadequate in durability and performance.

Innovation Solution

A fluorochemical composition is developed, comprising reaction products of polyfunctional isocyanate compounds, polyoxyalkylene compounds, monofunctional fluorochemical compounds, and functional fluorochemical oligomeric compounds, which are applied to substrates to impart water and oil repellency and antisoiling properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fluorochemical compositions are applied to substrates, then water and oil repellency is achieved, but durability and performance are inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of water and oil repellencyVSAvoidperformance adequacy of conventional compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple fluorochemical compounds with distinct functions into a single composition. The composition includes a first fluorochemical compound that provides water and oil repellency, a second fluorochemical compound that provides antisoiling characteristics, and optionally a third fluorochemical compound that enhances durability. This multi-component composite approach resolves the technical contradiction by integrating multiple performance functions into one formulation, achieving both durable water and oil repellency and adequate performance without requiring separate application steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If existing treatments are applied to fibrous substrates, then some protective properties are achieved, but effective water and oil repellency and antisoiling characteristics are not sufficiently provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicity to substratesVSAvoideffectiveness of water and oil repellency and antisoiling characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single fluorochemical composition that can be applied in one step to substrates. The composition combines a first fluorochemical compound for water and oil repellency, a second fluorochemical compound for antisoiling characteristics, and optionally a third fluorochemical compound for enhanced durability. This merging resolves the technical contradiction by providing all necessary protective properties through a single application process, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving the effectiveness and reliability of water and oil repellency and antisoiling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition achieves durable water and oil repellency and antisoiling properties on fibrous substrates, resisting soils and maintaining effectiveness after steam cleaning and wear, with improved performance compared to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

imparting water and oil repellency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

imparting water and oil repellency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOleophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

allowing the treating composition to dry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10800871B2Fluorochemical compositions and methods

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A fluorochemical composition that includes one or more fluorochemical urethane compounds, a method of treating a substrate (e.g., a method for imparting water and oil repellency and antisoiling characteristics to a substrate), and an article having a fluorochemical composition coating thereon.