Fluoropolymer Composition for Heat-Stable Sterilizable Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorine-containing copolymers used in bottles and containers lack sufficient heat resistance, leading to deformation under increased internal pressure and are prone to cracking during sterilization with ozone or hydrogen peroxide solutions, with excessive fluorine ion dissolution in chemical solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-containing copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and fluoro(alkyl vinyl ether units, with specific content ratios and melt flow rates, enhancing ozone resistance, carbon dioxide permeation, shape stability, and durability while minimizing fluorine ion dissolution in chemical solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional fluorine-containing copolymers are used in bottles and containers, then they can be formed into containers, but they lack sufficient heat resistance and deform under increased internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the composition ratios of monomer units (tetrafluoroethylene 85-95 mass%, hexafluoropropylene 5-15 mass%) and regulating the melt flow rate (0.7-5.0 g/10 min at 372°C) to achieve optimal heat resistance and shape stability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite copolymer material combining tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene units in specific ratios, producing a material that integrates both heat resistance and shape stability properties that neither component achieves alone
2Reliability
If conventional fluorine-containing copolymers are subjected to sterilization with ozone or hydrogen peroxide solutions, then sterilization is achieved, but the polymers are prone to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating hexafluoropropylene units (5-15 mass%) which provide superior resistance to oxidative sterilization methods, preventing crack formation while maintaining sterilization capability
3Quantity of substance
If conventional fluorine-containing copolymers are used, then they can be formed into containers, but they exhibit excessive fluorine ion dissolution in chemical solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the monomer composition parameters, specifically the ratio of tetrafluoroethylene to hexafluoropropylene units, to minimize fluorine ion dissolution while maintaining chemical solution resistance for container applications
4Strength
If the copolymer has high molecular weight for strength, then strength is improved, but melt flow rate decreases making fabrication difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melt flow rate parameter (0.7-5.0 g/10 min at 372°C) by controlling molecular weight and composition, achieving a balance where the copolymer has sufficient strength for container applications while maintaining ease of manufacture through melt processing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fluorine-containing copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene unit, hexafluoropropylene unit and a fluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) unit, wherein the copolymer has a content of the hexafluoropropylene unit of 10.4 to 12.0% by mass with respect to the whole of the monomer units, a content of the fluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) unit of 1.3 to 2.9% by mass with respect to the whole of the monomer units, a melt flow rate at 372° C. of 0.7 to 5.0 g/10 min, and the number of functional groups of 70 or less per 106 main-chain carbon atoms.