Fluoroelastomer Fuel Hose Composition With Cellulose Nanofiber Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluoroelastomer compositions for fuel hoses do not adequately address low fuel permeability while maintaining heat resistance and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A fluoroelastomer composition comprising a fluoroelastomer with a fluorine content of 61 to 73 mass % and cellulose nanofibers, where the cellulose nanofiber content is 1 to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the fluoroelastomer, enhancing low fuel permeability and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fillers (expanded graphite, plate-like alumina, or plate-like boron nitride) are used to reduce fuel permeability, then low fuel permeability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow fuel permeabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive conventional fillers (expanded graphite, plate-like alumina, plate-like boron nitride) with cellulose nanofiber, which is a low-cost, readily available material derived from renewable resources. This substitution maintains the fuel permeability reduction effect while significantly lowering raw material costs and simplifying the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of cellulose nanofiber to 3 μm or less, and controls the ratio of particles with size 10 μm or more to particles with size 1 μm or more at 10% or more. These parameter changes enable the cellulose nanofiber to effectively reduce fuel permeability while maintaining ease of handling and processing, unlike the more complex conventional fillers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If filler content is increased to reduce fuel permeability, then low fuel permeability is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow fuel permeabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that filler content should be 3 to 30 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the fluoroelastomer, with cellulose nanofiber particle size of 3 μm or less. These parameter optimizations ensure that the filler forms an effective barrier network for fuel permeability reduction while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and elasticity of the fluoroelastomer matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining fluoroelastomer with optimized cellulose nanofiber, achieving synergistic effects where the nanofiber provides fuel permeability reduction without compromising the base polymer's mechanical properties, unlike conventional fillers that often degrade strength at higher loadings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If fluorine content of fluoroelastomer is adjusted to maintain heat resistance, then heat resistance is preserved, but fuel permeability reduction effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidlow fuel permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fluoroelastomer with cellulose nanofiber filler to create a composite where the fluorinated polymer matrix maintains heat resistance while the nanofiber network provides fuel permeability reduction. This composite approach allows independent optimization of heat resistance (through fluorine content) and fuel permeability (through filler characteristics).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes cellulose nanofiber parameters (particle size ≤3 μm, specific size ratio ≥10%) to enhance fuel permeability reduction effectiveness, allowing the fluoroelastomer to maintain its heat resistance properties without requiring excessive fluorine content, thus achieving both goals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240218168A1Fluoroelastomer composition, formed article and fuel hose
Publication Date: 2024.07.04 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

Provided is a fluoroelastomer composition comprising a fluoroelastomer and a cellulose nanofiber, wherein a fluorine content of the fluoroelastomer is 61 to 73 mass %, and a content of the cellulose nanofiber is 1 to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the fluoroelastomer.