Functionalized Ethylene-Alpha-Olefin Adhesives with Rosin Tackifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for adhesive compositions using rosin-based tackifiers that offer improved heat resistance and flexibility at room temperature and low temperatures, as existing formulations with hydrogenated tackifiers are expensive and in short supply, and conventional adhesives lack these properties.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an anhydride and/or carboxylic acid functionalized ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer with specific melt viscosity and density, combined with rosin-based tackifiers such as partially hydrogenated glycerol esters, fully hydrogenated pentaerythritol esters, fully hydrogenated glycerol esters, or non-hydrogenated esters with tailored glass transition temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogenated tackifiers are used to achieve superior adhesive performance, then adhesive performance is improved, but cost increases and supply becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive hydrogenated tackifiers with cheaper rosin-based tackifiers that have shorter shelf life or require specific handling. The rosin-based tackifiers (such as rosin esters, rosin amides, or modified rosins) provide adequate adhesive performance at lower cost, accepting the trade-off of potentially reduced stability or supply constraints as a manageable issue through proper formulation and storage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the tackifier by using rosin-based derivatives with specific molecular structures, esterifications, or modifications that alter the performance characteristics. By changing the chemical composition parameters of the tackifier from hydrogenated to rosin-based systems, the patent achieves cost reduction while maintaining acceptable adhesive performance through careful selection of rosin derivative properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional adhesive formulations are used, then cost is reduced, but heat resistance and flexibility at low temperatures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining rosin-based tackifiers with specific polymeric adhesives (such as polyolefins, polyamides, or acrylics) in carefully controlled ratios. This composite formulation leverages the cost advantage of rosin-based materials while the polymeric component provides the necessary heat resistance and low-temperature flexibility, achieving a synergistic effect that meets all performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional components to different aspects of adhesive performance: rosin-based tackifiers are used specifically for cost reduction and initial bonding, while separate polymeric components are incorporated to provide heat resistance and low-temperature flexibility. Each component is optimized for its specific function, allowing the overall formulation to achieve multiple performance goals simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If rosin-based tackifiers are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but heat resistance and low-temperature flexibility may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as plasticizers, stabilizers, or compatibilizers that mediate between the rosin-based tackifier and the final adhesive performance. These intermediary substances help maintain the cost advantage of rosin-based materials while improving heat resistance and low-temperature flexibility by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the adhesive matrix, acting as a bridge between cost and performance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a composition comprising the following components:A) an anhydride and/or carboxylic acid functionalized ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer comprising the following properties:i) a melt viscosity (177° C.) less than, or equal to, 50,000 cP; andii) a density from 0.855 to 0.895 g/cc;B) a rosin-based tackifier; andwherein the tackifier is selected from the following:i) a partially hydrogenated glycerol ester;ii) a fully hydrogenated pentaerythritol ester;iii) a fully hydrogenated glycerol ester;iv) a non-hydrogenated ester with a Tg from 30° C. to 50° C.; orv) a combination thereof.