Hydrolytically Stable Polymer Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrolytic degradation of polymers used in medical devices, such as polyether block amide copolymers, is accelerated by additives like tungsten carbide, leading to reduced shelf life and increased costs, necessitating the development of stabilizing methods to enhance hydrolytic stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a carbodiimide compound and a hindered amine into the polymer composition to form a stabilizing mixture that decreases the rate and extent of hydrolytic degradation, thereby extending the shelf life of hydrolytically unstable polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If stabilizing additives are added to extend polymer shelf life, then hydrolytic stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines carbodiimide compound and hindered amine into a single stabilizing mixture that works synergistically to protect the polymer against hydrolytic degradation. This merging of multiple stabilizing functions into one compositional system extends shelf life while managing the complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite stabilizing system by incorporating both carbodiimide compound and hindered amine into the polymer composition. This composite approach provides enhanced hydrolytic stability through the combined action of different chemical mechanisms, effectively extending the polymer's service life.
2Reliability
If carbodiimide compound and hindered amine are combined, then hydrolytic degradation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbodiimide compound and hindered amine are incorporated into the polymer composition during the manufacturing process, performing the stabilizing action in advance before the polymer is put into service. This preliminary incorporation ensures hydrolytic protection is already in place, reducing the need for post-manufacturing interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing mixture of carbodiimide compound and hindered amine provides self-service protection against hydrolytic degradation throughout the polymer's service life. The additives continuously perform their stabilizing function without requiring external intervention, maintaining hydrolytic stability autonomously.
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 combination of carbodiimide and hindered amine additives significantly reduces hydrolytic degradation, as evidenced by sustained molecular weight and mechanical property retention over extended aging periods, particularly at 65°C/50%RH, effectively increasing the polymer's service life.
Implementation Method 1
the carbodiimide compound and hindered amine are used in amounts effective to decrease the rate and/or extent of hydrolytic degradation of the polymer
Implementation Method 2
a hindered amine; wherein the carbodiimide compound and hindered amine are used in amounts effective to decrease the rate and/or extent of hydrolytic degradation
Data Source
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AI summary
A composition, article, and method for increasing the hydrolytic stability of a polymer; wherein a composition includes: a polymer comprising functional groups having hydrolyzable bonds; a carbodiimide compound; and a weak base (or hindered amine); wherein the carbodiimide compound and weak base (or hindered amine) are used in amounts effective to decrease the rate and/or extent of hydrolyic degradation of the polymer relative to either used alone in the same amount with the polymer.