Melt-Processable Polyvinyl Alcohol Composition with Plasticizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) applications are limited due to its poor processability, which prevents its use in common plastic industry processes like extrusion, injection molding, and film blowing, and lacks control over water solubility and biodegradability.
Innovation Solution
A melt-processable polyvinyl alcohol composition is developed, comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer, and additional components such as biodegradable polymers, compatibilizers, surfactants, antioxidants, and property modifiers, enabling the composition to be processed through various melt processes while maintaining biodegradability and controlled water solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PVA is used as raw material, then biodegradability and water solubility are achieved, but melt-processability is poor and cannot be applied in common plastic industry processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific plasticizer as an intermediary substance that mediates between PVA's inherent properties and the requirements for melt-processing. The plasticizer molecules insert themselves between PVA chains, reducing intermolecular forces and enabling melt-flow without permanently altering PVA's biodegradable and water-soluble characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of PVA by adding plasticizers that change the material's glass transition temperature and melt viscosity. This allows PVA to be processed at feasible temperatures and flow rates for industrial processes like extrusion and injection molding, while maintaining its fundamental chemical properties.
2Reliability
If solvent casting process is used for PVA films, then water solubility is maintained, but production efficiency is low and cost is high compared to film blowing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters from solvent-based casting to melt-based extrusion/film blowing by incorporating plasticizers. This enables the use of high-speed film blowing processes that can produce films at much higher rates while maintaining water solubility through careful selection of food-grade plasticizers that do not interfere with PVA's hydrophilic properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If plasticizers and additives are added to PVA for melt-processability, then processability improves, but control over water solubility and biodegradability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the type and amount of plasticizer and additive parameters to achieve melt-processability while maintaining water solubility. By selecting specific food-grade plasticizers and limiting their concentrations, the patent modifies processing parameters without fundamentally altering PVA's hydrophilic nature and biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses food-grade plasticizers and additives that are themselves biodegradable and safe for contact with biodegradable materials. This ensures that the additives do not persist in the environment and allow the final product to maintain its biodegradability and compostability characteristics.
4Ease of operation
If temperature controlled water solubility is required for better usability, then water resistance at room temperature improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plasticizer composition and concentration as control parameters to adjust the film's water solubility temperature characteristics. By selecting plasticizers with specific properties and optimizing their amounts, the patent can tune the film to remain water-resistant at room temperature while dissolving at elevated temperatures, without requiring complex processing equipment.
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 achieves melt-processability, biodegradability, and controlled water solubility, allowing for applications in film blowing, extrusion film casting, and injection molding, with products demonstrating high biodegradation rates and compliance with food contact safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer, and one or more components selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymer, compatibilizer, surfactant, antioxidant, and properties modifier
Implementation Method 2
able to dissolve in room temperature water
Implementation Method 3
which is also biodegradable and water-soluble
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol, plasticizer, and one or more components selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymer, compatibilizer, surfactant, antioxidant, and properties modifier. The polyvinyl alcohol composition of the present application is melt-processable, biodegradable and water-soluble. The present invention also relates to the method for producing the polyvinyl alcohol composition, and the use of the same.