Fluoropolyether Plumbing Coating in Fluorine-Free Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorine-containing coating agents for water-exposed applications face challenges in forming cured films with excellent antifouling properties and abrasion resistance while using fluorine-free organic solvents, due to poor solubility and environmental concerns associated with fluorine-containing solvents.
Innovation Solution
A fluoropolyether group-containing polymer with a molar weight of 2,500 Da or more and a fluorine content of 50 wt% or less is dissolved in a fluorine-free organic solvent, forming a cured film with antifouling properties and high abrasion resistance through a wet coating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fluorine-containing organic solvents are used to dissolve fluoropolyether group-containing polymers, then uniform application and solubility are improved, but environmental safety and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes fluorine atoms from the organic solvent molecule while maintaining the solvent's ability to dissolve fluoropolyether group-containing polymers. This is achieved by selecting specific fluorine-free organic solvents (such as esters, ketones, or carboxylic acids) that can effectively dissolve the polymer without the harmful environmental effects of fluorine-containing solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the solvent by replacing fluorine-containing compounds with fluorine-free alternatives. The patent specifies using organic solvents without fluorine atoms in their molecular structure, fundamentally altering the solvent's chemical parameters to eliminate environmental harm while preserving dissolving capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorine-free organic solvents are used, then environmental safety and cost are improved, but solubility and uniform application deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses fluorine-free organic solvents as intermediaries to dissolve and apply fluoropolyether group-containing polymers. The solvent acts as a mediator that bridges the polymer and the substrate, enabling uniform application without requiring fluorine-containing solvents. The patent identifies specific classes of fluorine-free solvents (esters, ketones, carboxylic acids) that effectively perform this mediating function.
3Reliability
If polymers with higher fluorine content are used to improve water/oil repellency, then repellent performance is improved, but solubility in fluorine-free solvents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating fluorine atoms specifically in the polymer's functional groups that provide water/oil repellency, while maintaining overall polymer solubility in fluorine-free solvents. The patent specifies that the fluoropolyether group-containing polymer should have a fluorine content of 10 wt% or more for adequate repellent performance, balanced with solubility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the fluoropolyether group-containing polymer, specifying a number average molecular weight of 1,000 or more. This parameter change ensures adequate water/oil repellent performance while maintaining solubility in fluorine-free organic solvents, resolving the contradiction between performance and solubility.
4Reliability
If the polymer molecular weight is increased to improve repellent performance, then water/oil repellency is improved, but solubility and ease of application deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes an optimal parameter range for the polymer's number average molecular weight, specifying it should be 1,000 or more. This parameter setting ensures sufficient water/oil repellent performance while maintaining adequate solubility in fluorine-free organic solvents for easy application. The patent balances molecular weight to achieve both performance and processability.
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 solution enables the formation of a cured film with superior antifouling properties and abrasion resistance without using fluorine-containing solvents, ensuring environmental safety and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of water, such as airborne moisture, the hydrolyzable silyl groups undergo self-condensation reaction to form a film
Implementation Method 2
the hydrolyzable silyl groups undergo self-condensation reaction
Implementation Method 3
The film is durable and tough as a result of chemical and physical bonds of the hydrolyzable silyl groups with the surface of glass, a metal, or the like
Implementation Method 4
a fluoropolyether group-containing polymer having a hydrolyzable silyl group or a hydroxysilyl group and/or a partial (hydrolyzed) condensate thereof is uniformly dissolved in an organic solvent having no fluorine atoms in the molecule
Implementation Method 5
Fluoropolyether group-containing compounds have a very low surface free energy and thus generally exhibit such properties as water/oil repellency
Data Source
AI summary
This fluorine-containing coating agent, which is used on an article for plumbing applications, is capable of forming a hardened film having excellent antifouling properties and wear durability, and includes a composition in which a fluoropolyether group-containing polymer having a hydrolyzable silyl group or hydroxysilyl group, and/or a partial (hydrolyzed) condensate thereof, is uniformly dissolved in an organic solvent having no fluorine atom in a molecule. The molar mass of the fluoropolyether group in the polymer is 2,500 Da or more, and the fluorine content of the polymer (excluding a trifluoromethyl group present in a branched chain of a fluoropolyether group) is 50 mass% or less.