Liquid-Repellent Structure Using Scale-Like Fillers for Oil Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-repellent structures fail to provide effective repellency to liquids containing oil, such as curry or fresh cream, as they are primarily designed for water and yogurt, with insufficient evaluation of oil-based liquids in previous technologies.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-repellent structure comprising a scale-like filler with an average particle size of 0.1 to 6 μm, a thermoplastic resin, and a fluorine compound, with a specific ratio of these components to form aggregates that reduce contact area with liquids, enhancing repellency to both water and oil-containing liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water-repellent structures are used, then water and yogurt repellency is achieved, but liquid repellency to oil-containing liquids is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite liquid-repellent layer containing both inorganic fine particles (silica, alumina, or titania with 0.1-6 μm particle size) and a fluorine-containing polymer. This composite structure provides both water-based liquid repellency (from the inorganic particles) and oil-based liquid repellency (from the fluorine-containing polymer), achieving versatile liquid repellency across different liquid types while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of inorganic fine particles to 0.1-6 μm and controls the fluorine-containing polymer content at 1-50 mass% relative to total layer mass. These parameter adjustments create an optimal balance between water repellency (from particle surface effects) and oil repellency (from fluorine polymer), enabling effective repellency to both water-based and oil-containing liquids
2Reliability
If the liquid-repellent layer contains high filler content for improved water repellency, then water contact angle increases, but the layer becomes brittle and detaches
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorine-containing polymer acts as a binding intermediary between inorganic fine particles and the substrate. This polymer matrix holds the filler particles together and adheres them to the substrate, preventing brittleness and detachment even when filler content is high (90-99.9 mass%). The intermediary polymer maintains structural integrity while allowing high filler content for optimal water repellency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the filler content within 1-99 mass% and optimizes the fluorine-containing polymer content at 1-50 mass% of the total layer. This parameter balance ensures sufficient filler for water repellency while maintaining enough polymer for structural strength and adhesion, preventing layer detachment
3Strength
If the liquid-repellent layer is made thin for better substrate contact, then adhesion improves, but the repellency effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the liquid-repellent layer thickness to 1-10 μm. This thin thickness ensures good substrate contact and adhesion, while the high filler content (90-99.9 mass%) within this thin layer provides sufficient liquid repellency effect. The optimized parameters allow the thin layer to maintain both strong adhesion and effective repellency
4Reliability
If inorganic fine particles are used for water repellency, then water contact angle increases, but the particles detach in oil-containing liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorine-containing polymer serves as a protective intermediary that coats and binds inorganic fine particles. This polymer layer prevents direct contact between particles and oil-containing liquids, stopping oil from penetrating and destabilizing the particle structure. The intermediary polymer maintains particle stability and prevents detachment in oil environments while preserving water repellency
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 structure achieves improved or excellent liquid repellency to water and oil-containing liquids by forming aggregates with scale-like fillers and fluorine compounds, preventing detachment and ensuring stable formation, even with highly viscous substances like hand soap or cosmetics.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid-repellent layer contains a scale-like filler having an average particle size of 0.1 to 6 μm, inclusive, a thermoplastic resin, and a fluorine compound... and has aggregates containing the scale-like filler
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid-repellent structure comprises a major surface to which liquid repellency is imparted, and a liquid-repellent layer formed on the major surface; wherein the liquid-repellent layer contains a scale-like filler having an average particle size of 0.1 to 6 μm, inclusive, a thermoplastic resin, and a fluorine compound, and has aggregates containing the scale-like filler; and the ratio WS1/(WP+WFC) of the mass WS1 of the scale-like filler contained in the liquid-repellent layer to the sum (WP+WFC) of the mass WP of the thermoplastic resin and the mass WFC of the fluorine compound contained in the liquid-repellent layer is 0.1 to 10 inclusive.