Isosorbide Ester Gelation Accelerator for Polymer Plasticization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer plasticizers, such as phthalates and 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol derivatives, face issues like slow plasticization speed, significant thermomechanical energy requirements, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and migration leading to reduced mechanical properties and accelerated aging of plastic materials, especially in open mixing systems like calendering and plastisol coating processes.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 0.1 to 99% by mass of 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol esters as gelling accelerators and 1 to 99.9% by mass of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acid or phthalic acid esters as plasticizers, which are introduced into a mixing system with the polymer, allowing for rapid gelation and improved mechanical properties while minimizing VOC release and migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional plasticizers (phthalates, polycyclohexane derivatives, glycerol ester derivatives) are used to plasticize polymers, then the polymer flexibility is improved and glass transition temperature is lowered, but the plasticization speed is slow requiring significant thermomechanical energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a conventional plasticizer (phthalate, polycyclohexane derivative, or glycerol ester derivative) with a gelling accelerator (1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol ester) to create a synergistic plasticizing composition. The plasticizer provides the primary plasticization effect while the gelling accelerator significantly accelerates the plasticization speed, resolving the contradiction between achieving low glass transition temperature and maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gelling accelerator acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the interaction between the plasticizer and polymer chains. It accelerates the penetration and distribution of the plasticizer throughout the polymer matrix, enabling faster plasticization without requiring excessive thermomechanical energy input.
2Productivity
If gelling accelerators are used to speed up plasticization, then the plasticization speed is improved, but volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions increase significantly especially in open mixing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the gelling accelerator by selecting 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol esters with molecular weights between 255-345 g/mol. This parameter change reduces the volatility and VOC emissions compared to conventional low molecular weight gelling accelerators, while maintaining the accelerated plasticization effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite plasticizing system combining multiple components (plasticizer + gelling accelerator) where the gelling accelerator is a specific type of ester with optimized molecular weight. This composite approach achieves both high plasticization speed and low VOC emissions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful emissions.
3Productivity
If conventional gelling accelerators are used, then the plasticization process is accelerated, but the accelerators migrate out of the formed object during use causing accelerated UV and thermal aging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular structure and molecular weight parameters of the gelling accelerator to 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol esters with molecular weights of 255-345 g/mol. This parameter change reduces the migratory tendency of the accelerator while maintaining its gelation acceleration effect, thereby preventing accelerated aging and maintaining mechanical property stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a gelling accelerator that performs its function effectively during the processing stage and then remains stable in the final product without migrating. The 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol ester serves its purpose during plasticization and then becomes a stable component that does not cause accelerated aging, unlike conventional gelling accelerators that continue to migrate and degrade the material.
4Stability of the object's composition
If plasticizers are used to improve polymer flexibility, then the elongation at break is increased, but the tensile strength and Young's modulus decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the composition parameters by using a specific ratio and combination of plasticizer and gelling accelerator. The gelling accelerator enables effective plasticization at lower concentrations, which helps maintain better mechanical properties while achieving the desired flexibility improvement.
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 effectively accelerates polymer gelation, reduces thermomechanical energy needs, minimizes VOC emissions, and maintains mechanical properties, providing a stable and efficient plasticization process even at low temperatures, thus enhancing productivity and storage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Without being bound to any particular theory, the Applicant explains the accelerated gelation effect by the fact that the substance rapidly penetrates the polymer and intercalates between its chains. The network of polymer molecules is thus rapidly loosened, allowing for faster gelation
Implementation Method 2
By lowering the glass transition temperature of the polymer, its flexibility is increased and the mechanical properties of the plasticized polymer are modified
Implementation Method 3
the polymer can be transformed into an object by different thermoplastic material transformation techniques, and in particular by extrusion, calendering or coating via a plastisol type process
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition that can rapidly plasticise polymers, comprising, in relation to the total mass of (A) and (B): between 0.1 and 99 mass-% of at least one ester of 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydrohexitol (A), having a molar mass varying between 255 and 345 g.mol-1 and selected from among monoesters and diesters of isosorbide, isomannide and isoidide; and between 1 and 99.9 mass-% of at least one compound (B) having a molar mass greater than 345 g.mol-1 and selected from among the esters of 1,4 :3,6-dianhydrohexitol, the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acid, the esters of phthalic acid, and glycerol esters. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a plasticised object using constituents (A) and (B), as well as to the use of the ester compound (A) as a polymer gelification accelerator.