Halogen-Free Intumescent Clearcoat Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intumescent flame-retardant coatings contain halogen, releasing toxic and corrosive gases in fires, and halogen-free systems have short service lives and inadequate curing.

Innovation Solution

Development of halogen-free intumescent flame-retardant clearcoat formulations containing 20% to 88.5% aqueous synthetic resin, 10% to 60% phosphoric partial ester, 0.5% to 20% polyol, and 1% to 30% further ingredients, which form transparent, cured products without additional curing substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If halogen-containing blowing agents or carbonizing substances are used in intumescent coatings, then the coating achieves adequate service life and fire protection, but toxic and corrosive halogenated gases are released during fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidtoxic and corrosive gas release
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes halogenated blowing agents and halogenated carbonizing substances from the coating formulation. Instead, it uses water-soluble polyvinyl acetate as the binder and non-halogenated carbonizing substances, thereby extracting the harmful halogen component while maintaining the intumescent fire protection function through alternative mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using polyvinyl acetate with specific molecular weight ranges (0.5-5 cP viscosity) and non-halogenated alternatives for blowing agents and carbonizing substances. This parameter change maintains the coating's fire protection capability while eliminating harmful gas release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If halogen-free systems are used to eliminate toxic gases, then harmful emissions are reduced, but service life becomes very short and curing is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoxic gas releaseVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and viscosity parameters of polyvinyl acetate (0.5-5 cP) and adjusts the concentration ranges of water-soluble binders, carbonizing substances, and blowing agents to achieve both complete curing and adequate service life (5-10 minutes) while remaining halogen-free

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating system combining polyvinyl acetate binder with specific non-halogenated carbonizing substances and blowing agents in optimized proportions. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects that provide both complete curing and extended service life without halogen content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If phosphoric partial esters based on polyols are used as acid donors, then the coating achieves intumescent properties, but curing is excessively slow and residual tack remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintumescent propertiesVSAvoidcuring speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using polyvinyl acetate with controlled molecular weight and viscosity (0.5-5 cP) combined with specific acid donors and catalysts. This parameter optimization accelerates the curing reaction while maintaining the intumescent properties, eliminating excessive residual tack

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 clearcoat formulations achieve adequate service lives, are transparent after application, and provide effective fire protection with low heat emission rates, making them suitable for various materials and applications.

Implementation Method 1

phosphoric partial esters based on polyols act as acid donors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcid catalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

at least one substance that carbonizes under the action of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 3

Intumescent flame retardants act through the formation of an expanded insulating layer of flame-retardant material that forms under the action of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12319836B2Intumescent flame-retardant clearcoat formulations
Publication Date: 2025.06.03 CLARIANT INT LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to intumescent flame-retardant clearcoat formulations containing 20% to 88.5% by weight of an aqueous synthetic resin formulation, 10% to 60% by weight of a phosphoric partial ester, 0.5% to 20% by weight of a polyol and 1% to 30% by weight of further ingredients, and to the use thereof.