Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber Oxidation for Modulus and Compression Set

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogenated nitrile rubber vulcanizates do not meet the requirements for high modulus levels and low compression set, especially after storage at high temperatures, due to residual phosphane or diphosphane content, which affects their mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

Hydrogenated nitrile rubbers with reduced or no phosphane or diphosphane content, combined with phosphane oxide or diphosphane oxide, and controlled halogen content, are produced using an oxidizing agent to improve modulus and compression set values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If phosphane or diphosphane is added as a co-catalyst during hydrogenation, then hydrogenation rate and efficiency are improved, but residual phosphane or diphosphane negatively affects vulcanizate properties (modulus level and compression set)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogenation rateVSAvoidvulcanizate properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful residual phosphane or diphosphane into beneficial phosphane oxide or diphosphane oxide through oxidation. This eliminates the negative effects on vulcanizate properties while maintaining the positive catalytic effects during hydrogenation. The oxidation step transforms the harmful substance into a harmless or even beneficial byproduct that improves vulcanizate performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical state of the phosphane or diphosphane from reduced form (harmful) to oxidized form (beneficial) by controlling the oxidation parameters. This parameter change (oxidation state) resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful effects while preserving the catalytic benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high modulus level is required in vulcanizates, then compression set must be low, but residual phosphane or diphosphane prevents achieving both properties simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulus levelVSAvoidcompression set

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful residual phosphane or diphosphane into phosphane oxide or diphosphane oxide through oxidation. This eliminates the negative impact on compression set while allowing high modulus levels to be achieved. The oxidized form acts as a beneficial component that improves overall vulcanizate performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If phosphane or diphosphane is used to reduce hydrogenation pressure and increase hydrogenation rate, then catalytic efficiency is improved, but vulcanizate properties deteriorate due to residual content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogenation efficiencyVSAvoidvulcanizate property control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful residual phosphane or diphosphane into beneficial phosphane oxide or diphosphane oxide through controlled oxidation. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the negative effects on vulcanizate property control while maintaining the catalytic efficiency benefits during hydrogenation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the oxidation state of the phosphorus-containing compound from phosphane/diphosphane to phosphane oxide/diphosphane oxide. This parameter change eliminates the harmful effects on manufacturing precision while preserving the productivity benefits.

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 approach results in vulcanizates with enhanced modulus and compression set properties, maintaining performance even after storage at high temperatures without the negative effects of residual phosphane or diphosphane.

Implementation Method 1

converting the phosphine or diphosphane used in the hydrogenation into phosphane oxides or diphosphane oxides after hydrogenation using suitable oxidizing agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the C=C double bonds of the polymerized diene units are completely or partially hydrogenated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentEP3090002B1Hydrogenated nitrile rubber containing phosphine or diphosphane oxide

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 ARLANXEO DEUT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to novel hydrogenated nitrile rubbers which, in addition to reduced contents of phosphines and/or diphosphines, comprise phosphine oxides and a special content of halogens, and which allow the production of vulcanizable mixtures and corresponding vulcanized products that have improved moduli and compression set values and good values for the heat build-up under dynamic loading. These novel hydrogenated nitrile rubbers are obtained by a particular production method, the hydrogenated nitrile rubbers being reacted with at least one particular oxidant.