Ionic Liquid Microwave Bonding Thermoplastics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bonding processes using adhesives are inefficient due to the need for extensive heating of large workpieces, which results in high energy expenditure and difficulty in controlling temperature and duration, especially in industrial applications like the automotive industry, and the use of microwave-absorbing particles has limitations such as requiring large amounts that alter adhesive properties and fail to achieve sufficient coupling.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying an ionic liquid between thermoplastic materials to be bonded and irradiating them with microwaves, allowing for localized heating and bonding without altering the adhesive's properties, using amounts as low as 0.01-15% by weight, and enabling precise, rapid heating without affecting the visual appearance or mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional heating methods are used to bond thermoplastic materials, then the bonding process can be achieved, but the entire workpiece must be heated resulting in high energy expenditure and long processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy expenditureVSAvoidbonding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies microwave-absorbing particles selectively at the bonding interface rather than uniformly throughout the workpiece. This localized application allows microwave energy to be concentrated precisely where heating is needed, enabling rapid bonding without heating the entire workpiece, thus reducing energy expenditure while maintaining high bonding efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces microwave-absorbing particles as an intermediary substance at the bonding interface. These particles act as a mediator that converts microwave energy into localized heat, enabling precise control of the heating zone and eliminating the need for conventional broad-spectrum heating, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while improving bonding productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If microwave-absorbing particles are added to adhesives to enable microwave coupling, then localized heating can be achieved, but large amounts of particles are required which alter adhesive properties and reduce bonding performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized heating capabilityVSAvoidadhesive bonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition behavior of ionic liquids, which are microwave-absorbing particles, to achieve localized heating. The ionic liquids undergo phase change from solid to liquid at specific temperatures, absorbing microwave energy efficiently during the transition. This parameter-based approach (utilizing phase transition temperature) allows effective microwave coupling without requiring large quantities that would compromise adhesive strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining organic adhesives with ionic liquid particles. This composite formulation allows the adhesive to maintain its bonding functionality while the ionic liquid particles provide microwave absorption capability. The synergistic combination enables localized heating without sacrificing adhesive performance, as the organic adhesive matrix preserves its bonding properties while the ionic liquid additive provides the desired thermal response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach allows for efficient, energy-saving, and precise bonding of thermoplastic materials by achieving high temperatures locally and quickly, enhancing bonding strength and enabling bonding in inaccessible areas, while avoiding the need to heat the entire workpiece, thus improving industrial processes.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating them with microwaves, allowing for localized heating and bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave irradiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The ionic liquids can also be applied or introduced or injected as a thin layer between two thermoplastic materials to be bonded or one thermoplastic material to be bonded and another material in order to cause the thermoplastic or thermoplastics to melt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

cause the thermoplastic or thermoplastics to melt and thus carry out a welding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3527639B1A method for bonding a thermoplastic material by microwave-irradiation
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 PROIONIC GMBH
  • EP3527639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3527639B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3527639B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Method for joining a thermoplastic material, comprising providing at least one thermoplastic material, applying an ionic liquid [A]+a[B]a-, where [A]+ represents a cation, [B]a- represents an anion and a represents an integer, and applying the ionic liquid between the thermoplastic material to be bonded and another material, and irradiating with microwaves to melt the at least one thermoplastic material.