Hollow Polymeric Particles in Aqueous Paint for Low Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paints with high pigment content, such as metal oxides, are dense and heavy, making them difficult to apply and transport, and they lack the desired matte or velvety finish and resistance to wet friction.
Innovation Solution
A paint composition with a density less than 1.0, utilizing hollow polymeric particles and microspheres to replace a fraction of the pigment, providing sufficient opacity and a matte or velvety finish, while maintaining resistance to wet friction and ease of application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional paints with high pigment content (metal oxides) are used, then sufficient opacity and color strength are achieved, but the paint density increases making it difficult to apply and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the paint composition by incorporating hollow polymeric particles with density less than 1 g/cm³ (preferably 0.05-0.5 g/cm³) to replace part of the dense pigment (density 3900-4300 kg/m³ for TiO₂). This parameter change reduces overall paint density to below 1 g/cm³ while maintaining sufficient pigment content for opacity and color strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite paint formulation combining three main components: hollow polymeric particles (lightweight filler), pigment (for opacity and color), and binder (for film formation). This composite approach allows the lightweight hollow particles to offset the weight of the dense pigment, achieving low density while maintaining functional performance.
2Weight of moving object
If hollow polymeric particles are used to replace pigment, then paint density is reduced, but opacity and coverage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of hollow polymeric particles (weight reduction) and pigment (opacity provision) into a single paint formulation. The hollow particles contribute to low density while the pigment maintains opacity and color strength, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously through functional combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different local qualities to different components: hollow polymeric particles provide low density and volume, while pigment particles provide opacity and color. Each component performs its specialized function locally within the composite formulation, with the hollow particles compensating for weight and the pigment ensuring sufficient coverage.
3Ease of operation
If pigment content is reduced to lower density, then ease of application improves, but resistance to wet friction and film hardness may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow polymeric particles serve as a functional substitute or 'copy' for traditional dense fillers, providing similar volume and structural support without the weight penalty. This allows the paint to maintain adequate film formation and mechanical properties while being easier to apply due to lower density.
4Loss of energy
If hollow particles are used to achieve density less than 1, then transportation cost is reduced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting hollow polymeric particles with specific density (0.05-0.5 g/cm³) and size ranges, and determining optimal content levels (5-50 wt%, preferably 10-30 wt%). These controlled parameter changes achieve the desired low paint density for cost-effective transportation while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through defined specifications.
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 composition achieves a lighter paint that is easy to apply, maintains opacity, and offers a matte or velvety finish, along with resistance to wet friction, using conventional color calibration and equipment, and is cost-effective in transportation and application.
Implementation Method 1
The hollow latex particles, therefore lighter than the pigment, partially replace the pigment and give sufficient opacity to the composition to obtain good coverage of the final coating obtained by application and drying of the paint
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a paint composition containing, as the major solvent, water and at least one pigment. Characteristically, according to the invention, it further contains hollow polymeric particles, in particular hollow polymeric particles selected from hollow latex particles, hollow polymeric microspheres, and mixtures of these two types of particles, and in that it has a density less than 1, and in particular less than or equal to 0.90, and more particularly equal to 0.85 ± 0.03