Hydroxycarboxylic Ester Silicone Curing Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing curing agents for silicone rubber compounds often suffer from issues such as unpleasant odors, inadequate mechanical properties, and storage stability, particularly at elevated temperatures, and can be toxic or corrosive, limiting their application in materials like metals and stone.

Innovation Solution

A curing agent with a hydroxycarboxylic ester radical structure that allows for the formation of Si—O—Si bonds with di- or polyfunctional polyorganosiloxanes, providing good mechanical properties, transparency, and stability, while releasing non-toxic and non-corrosive molecules upon hydrolysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional curing agents (alkoxysilane or oxime-based) are used, then crosslinking function is achieved, but storage stability deteriorates and adhesion problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidadhesion problems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the curing agent by using hydroxycarboxylic esters with specific structural formulas (I) and (II) instead of traditional alkoxysilane or oxime-based curing agents. This parameter change in the curing agent's molecular structure resolves the contradiction by providing both good storage stability and adhesion performance without the harmful effects of traditional curing agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If oxime-based curing agents are used, then crosslinking function is achieved, but toxicological properties worsen due to suspected carcinogenicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking functionVSAvoidtoxicological properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful oxime-based curing agents into beneficial hydroxycarboxylic ester-based curing agents. By replacing the toxic oxime group with a hydroxycarboxylic ester group having specific structural formulas, the invention maintains the crosslinking function while eliminating the suspected carcinogenic properties, thus converting a harmful substance into a safe one.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If conventional curing agents are used, then crosslinking occurs, but odour nuisance increases due to malodorous leaving groups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring functionVSAvoidodour nuisance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the leaving group parameter of the curing agent from traditional malodorous groups (oximes, alcohols) to hydroxycarboxylic ester groups with specific structural formulas. This parameter change eliminates the odour nuisance while preserving the curing function, as the hydroxycarboxylic ester leaving groups do not produce malodorous emissions during the crosslinking process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If acidic or basic curing agents are used, then crosslinking function is achieved, but harmful effects increase on metals, stone or mortar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking functionVSAvoidcorrosive effects on materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful acidic or basic curing agents into beneficial neutral hydroxycarboxylic ester-based curing agents. By replacing the acidic/basic groups with hydroxycarboxylic ester groups having specific structural formulas (I) and (II), the invention maintains effective crosslinking function while eliminating the corrosive effects on metals, stone, and mortar.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 curing agent achieves transparent, colorless, and stable silicone rubber compounds with improved mechanical properties and pleasant odors, maintaining stability even at elevated temperatures, and is free from toxicological and corrosive concerns.

Implementation Method 1

releasing non-toxic and non-corrosive molecules upon hydrolysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10954361B2Curing agent for silicone rubber compounds

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 NITROCHEM ASCHAU

AI summary

What are presented and described are a curing agent for silicone rubber compounds comprising a compound having the general structural formula R1mSi(R)4-m, a process for preparation thereof and the use of this curing agent for hardening a silicone rubber compound. The invention further relates to a composition comprising the curing agent for silicone rubber compounds and to the use of such a composition as sealant, adhesive or coating composition.