Low-Aromaticity Hydrocarbon Polymer Modifiers for High Tg Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrocarbon resins with high glass transition temperature (Tg) and low molecular weight face compatibility issues with base polymers, limiting their ease of processing and application in elastomeric compositions.
Innovation Solution
Hydrocarbon polymer modifiers with low aromatic proton content (%H Ar) and specific Tg and number average molecular weight (Mn) relationships are developed, comprising cyclic and aromatic components, enhancing compatibility and processability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the molecular weight of the resin is increased to produce high Tg resins, then the glass transition temperature is improved, but the compatibility with base polymer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin by limiting aromatic content to ≤10 wt% and specifying cyclic component content (5-80 wt%), thereby achieving high Tg through molecular structure design rather than simply increasing molecular weight. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by decoupling Tg enhancement from compatibility loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite molecular structure combining cyclic components (cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene, methylcyclopentadiene) with controlled aromatic content, forming a novel resin composition that achieves both high Tg and good compatibility through synergistic structural design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the molecular weight of the resin is decreased to improve ease of processing, then the processability is improved, but the glass transition temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach to achieving high Tg from molecular weight increase to chemical composition control (aromatic content ≤10 wt%, specific cyclic component ranges), enabling low molecular weight resins to achieve Tg ≥ 80°C through optimized monomer composition rather than size alone.
3Strength
If aromatic content is increased to improve resin performance, then the physical properties are improved, but the compatibility with base polymer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes aromatic content to a specific range (≤10 wt%, with preferred embodiments at ≤5 wt% or even ≤2 wt%), transforming aromatic content from a high value to achieve strength into a controlled parameter that balances both strength and compatibility. The patent specifies that cyclic components should constitute 5-80 wt% to maintain compatibility while achieving desired physical properties.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Described herein are hydrocarbon polymer modifiers for use in various applications. The hydrocarbon polymer modifier comprises a cyclic component, and has a glass transition temperature and Mn defined by the following two equations: (1) Tg≥95 - 2.2 * (%H Ar); and (2) Tg≥125 - (0.08 * Mn) and an aromaticity content of less than or equal to 6 mole %, wherein Tg is glass transition temperature as expressed in °C of the modifier, the %H Ar represents the content of aromatic protons in the hydrocarbon polymer modifier, and Mn represents the number average molecular weight of the hydrocarbon polymer modifier, and the cyclic component is selected from the group of a distillation cut from a petroleum refinery stream, and/or C4 C5 or C6 cyclic olefins and mixtures thereof, and wherein the hydrocarbon polymer modifier has number average molecular weight (Mn) of between 150 and 800 g/mol. The hydrocarbon modifiers are particularly useful in high Tg applications where compatibility with the polymer systems and/or ease of manufacturing are desirable.