Liquid Crystalline Polymer Modifier for Elastomer Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance the thermal conductivity of elastomer molded articles while maintaining their elasticity, as excessive addition of thermally conductive fillers compromises the elasticity of the material, limiting the potential increase in thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid crystalline polymer or its precursor as a thermal conductivity modifier, specifically polysiloxane-based polymers with mesogenic groups, to increase the thermal conductivity of elastomers without sacrificing their elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If larger amounts of thermally conductive filler are added to the elastomer, then the thermal conductivity of the elastomer molded article increases, but the elasticity of the elastomer is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid crystalline polymer as an intermediary substance between the elastomer base material and the thermally conductive filler. This liquid crystalline polymer acts as a mediator that enhances thermal conductivity through its molecular structure while preserving the elastomer's elasticity, avoiding the need to add excessive amounts of traditional thermally conductive fillers that would compromise elastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the elastomer system by incorporating a liquid crystalline polymer with specific molecular characteristics. This parameter change allows the material to achieve higher thermal conductivity without the traditional trade-off of losing elasticity, as the liquid crystalline structure provides both thermal pathways and maintains polymer chain flexibility.
2Strength
If the amount of addition of thermally conductive filler is constrained to maintain elasticity, then the elasticity of the elastomer molded article is preserved, but the thermal conductivity cannot be increased significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystalline polymer serves as an intermediary that enables thermal conductivity enhancement without requiring large amounts of traditional fillers. By using this intermediary substance, the patent achieves improved thermal conductivity while keeping the filler content low enough to preserve elastomer elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of the elastomer base, liquid crystalline polymer, and controlled amounts of thermally conductive filler. This composite approach allows the liquid crystalline polymer to contribute to thermal conductivity while the elastomer matrix maintains elasticity, achieving a balance that neither component could achieve alone.
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 effectively increases the thermal conductivity of elastomer molded articles beyond previous values while maintaining necessary elasticity, enabling more efficient heat transfer in applications such as heater bodies and heated bodies.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystalline polymer or a precursor therefor is used as a thermal conductivity modifier for elastomers
Implementation Method 2
increase the thermal conductivity of elastomer molded articles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention brings about an increase in the thermal conductivity of an elastomer molded article over a preexisting value. The method according to the present invention is a method that uses at least one of a liquid crystalline polymer and a precursor therefor as a thermal conductivity modifier for an elastomer. That is, the thermal conductivity modifier for an elastomer according to the present invention contains at least one of a liquid crystalline polymer and a precursor therefor. The thermal conductivity modifier may contain only at least one of a liquid crystalline polymer and a precursor therefor or may contain at least one of a liquid crystalline polymer and a precursor therefor along with an additional component. The method and thermal conductivity modifier according to the present invention can bring about an increase in the thermal conductivity of an elastomer molded article over a preexisting value.