Latent-Reactive Adhesive Composition for Low-Temperature Curing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesive systems for bonding thermally sensitive substrates, such as anodized aluminum, leather, and textiles, face challenges with bond strength degradation under humid/heat conditions and chemical exposure, and require low-temperature curing to avoid damage.

Innovation Solution

A latent-reactive adhesive composition using a thermoplastic, isocyanate-reactive polymer dissolved in an organic solvent with a particulate isocyanate-containing crosslinker, allowing for low-temperature curing and improved bond strength resistance to moisture, heat, and chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high-temperature curing is used to achieve high bond strength, then bond strength is improved, but thermally sensitive substrates are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidthermal damage to substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curing temperature parameter from high temperature to low temperature (below 80°C) while maintaining high bond strength through a novel adhesive composition. The adhesive contains a polyol component with specific molecular weight (1000-10000 g/mol) and hydroxyl number (20-100 mg KOH/g) that enables effective crosslinking at low temperatures, resolving the contradiction between achieving high bond strength and avoiding thermal damage to thermally sensitive substrates like anodized aluminum and leather

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite adhesive system combining polyol, isocyanate crosslinker, and organic solvent in specific ratios. This composite formulation creates a latent-reactive adhesive that remains stable at room temperature but activates at low temperatures to form strong crosslinked bonds, enabling high bond strength without high-temperature curing that would damage sensitive substrates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If aqueous dispersion adhesive films are used to achieve easy application, then ease of operation is improved, but bond strength deteriorates under humid/heat conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidbond strength under humid/heat conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using organic solvent-based adhesive instead of aqueous dispersion, and by controlling the polyol molecular weight and hydroxyl number. This enables the adhesive to resist moisture penetration and maintain bond strength under humid/heat conditions while still providing easy application through film form, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability in challenging environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces long-term stable but weak aqueous dispersion systems with a latent-reactive organic adhesive that provides both easy application and long-term durability. The adhesive film can be applied easily like conventional adhesives but develops enhanced moisture and heat resistance through low-temperature crosslinking, eliminating the need for separate primers or protective coatings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If low-temperature curing is used to protect thermally sensitive substrates, then thermal damage is reduced, but bond strength and moisture resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal damage to substratesVSAvoidbond strength and moisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite adhesive system with polyol (10-50 parts), isocyanate crosslinker (5-20 parts), and organic solvent (70-80 parts) in specific ratios. This composite formulation enables effective crosslinking at low temperatures below 80°C, achieving both high bond strength and moisture resistance without thermal damage to substrates. The specific molecular weight and hydroxyl number of the polyol component are critical for enabling this low-temperature high-performance curing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the polyol parameters (molecular weight 1000-10000 g/mol, hydroxyl number 20-100 mg KOH/g) to enable effective crosslinking at low temperatures. This parameter optimization allows the adhesive to form strong, moisture-resistant crosslinked networks at temperatures below 80°C, resolving the contradiction between protecting substrates from thermal damage and achieving high bond strength and moisture resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adhesive composition maintains high bond strength and resistance to humid/heat conditions, ensuring durability and stability under challenging environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a preparation for producing an adhesive, in particular a latent-reactive one, from at least one isocyanate-reactive polymer and at least one isocyanate-containing compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIsocyanate reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a polymer component formed from at least one polymer containing functional groups that can react with isocyanate... and a solvent component formed from at least one organic solvent, wherein the polymer component is substantially dissolved in the organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP4001333B1Preparation for the preparation of latent reactive adhesives
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 TESA SE
  • EP4001333B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Preparation for the manufacture of an adhesive, comprising a polymer component formed from at least one thermoplastic polymer containing functional groups capable of reacting with isocyanate (component (i)), a crosslinking component formed from at least one isocyanate-containing particulate compound (component (ii)), a solvent component formed from at least one organic solvent (component (x)), wherein the polymer component is substantially dissolved in the solvent component, and the crosslinking component is substantially insoluble in both the solvent-free polymer component and the solvent component at 23 °C.