Silane-Treated Glass Flake Resin Composition for Impact Strength

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Resin compositions using glass flakes as fillers face challenges in achieving high impact strength compared to those using fibrous fillers like glass fibers, making it difficult to incorporate them into resin molded articles requiring high impact strength.

Innovation Solution

The use of glass flakes with specific size and surface treatment, including a silane coupling agent, in a resin composition enhances the impact strength of the resulting resin molded article.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glass flakes are used as filler in resin composition, then adhesion between matrix resin and filler is improved through surface treatment, but impact strength of the resin molded article remains very low compared to fibrous fillers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact strengthVSAvoidadhesion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the particle size distribution of glass flakes (D10: 4.7-25 μm, D90: 90 μm or smaller, D90/D10 ratio: 2.0-3.0) and optimizing the silane coupling agent content (0.05-3 mass%). These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by achieving both strong adhesion through proper surface treatment and high impact strength through controlled particle size distribution, preventing both aggregation and excessive refinement that would compromise mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If glass flakes with specific size distribution are used, then impact strength is improved, but particle size control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact strengthVSAvoidparticle size distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-establishing the optimal particle size distribution range for glass flakes before resin composition formulation. By defining specific D10 (4.7-25 μm), D90 (90 μm or smaller), and D90/D10 ratio (2.0-3.0) parameters in advance, the invention simplifies the overall development process and enables straightforward selection of suitable glass flake products without requiring complex real-time control during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If silane coupling agent is applied for surface treatment, then adhesion between matrix resin and filler increases, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidsurface treatment process
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using commercially available pre-surface-treated glass flakes that have been coated with silane coupling agents during manufacturing. This approach eliminates the need for complex on-site surface treatment equipment and processes, allowing manufacturers to simply incorporate the pre-treated flakes into their resin compositions, thereby achieving strong adhesion without increased manufacturing complexity

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

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 resin composition with treated glass flakes improves the impact strength, appearance, and surface smoothness of the molded article, making it suitable for applications where fibrous fillers are not viable.

Implementation Method 1

it has been considered preferable to surface-treat the filler with a silane coupling agent or the like to enhance the adhesion between the matrix resin and filler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSilane coupling: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3632860B1Glass flakes and resin composition
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD
  • EP3632860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632860B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Glass flakes of the present invention have an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 15 µm and an average thickness of 0.1 to 2 µm. The glass flakes have a particle size distribution in which the particle diameter at 99% of the cumulative volume from the smaller particle diameter is 45 µm or less, and the maximum particle diameter of the glass flakes is 62 nm or less.