Methods for treating fibrous substrates using fluorine-free compositions including isocyanate-derived (METH)acrylate-containing polymeric compounds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for compositions that provide high initial water repellency and durable water-repellency for fibrous substrates, particularly those that are fluorine-free, as existing treatments often rely on fluorinated compounds and lack long-lasting effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-free treating composition is applied to fibrous substrates, comprising polymeric compounds derived from the polymerization of (meth)acrylate monomers with isocyanate-derived groups and hydrocarbon groups, achieving a minimum initial spray rating of 80 and maintaining durability through multiple launderings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorinated compounds are used to treat fibrous substrates, then water repellency is improved, but environmental safety and health compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by completely replacing fluorinated compounds with fluorine-free alternatives. Specifically, it uses polymeric compounds containing isocyanate-derived groups (urethane or urea linkages) combined with hydrocarbon groups of 16-60 carbon atoms, achieving high water repellency (spray rating ≥80) without any fluorine content, thus resolving the contradiction between water repellency performance and environmental safety compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite polymeric structures combining isocyanate-derived functional groups with long-chain hydrocarbon groups. This composite approach creates molecules that exhibit both strong substrate binding (through isocyanate groups forming covalent bonds) and high water repellency (through hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains), achieving fluorine-free water repellency with spray ratings of at least 80
2Reliability
If conventional water-repellent compositions are used, then initial water repellency is achieved, but durability after laundering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical bonding actions by incorporating isocyanate-derived groups that form covalent bonds with substrate functional groups (such as hydroxyl groups on cellulose or protein fibers) before laundering occurs. This pre-bonding ensures the water-repellent coating is chemically anchored to the substrate, providing durability that withstands multiple laundering cycles while maintaining initial spray ratings of at least 80
Solution Approach 2:
The composite polymeric structure combines isocyanate-derived groups for strong chemical bonding with the substrate and long-chain hydrocarbon groups (16-60 carbon atoms) for hydrophobic water repellency. This dual-functional composite material simultaneously achieves high initial water repellency and durable attachment that resists degradation during laundering
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorine-free compositions are used, then environmental compliance is improved, but water repellency performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes key parameters of fluorine-free polymeric compounds: (1) hydrocarbon chain length of 16-60 carbon atoms to maximize hydrophobicity, (2) isocyanate-derived group content to ensure strong substrate bonding, and (3) molecular weight and polymeric structure to provide sufficient coating thickness. These parameter optimizations enable fluorine-free compositions to achieve spray ratings of at least 80, matching or exceeding traditional fluorinated treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs composite molecules with isocyanate-derived groups (providing strong adhesion through covalent bonding to substrate) combined with long hydrocarbon chains (providing hydrophobic water repellency). This composite molecular architecture compensates for the absence of fluorine atoms by creating synergistic effects between bonding groups and hydrophobic groups, achieving high water repellency performance without fluorine content
4Strength
If polymeric compounds with isocyanate-derived groups are used, then substrate bonding is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single polymeric compound class: isocyanate-derived groups provide both substrate bonding (through reaction with hydroxyl groups on fibers) and water repellency (when combined with hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains). This consolidation eliminates the need for separate bonding agents and water-repellent additives, simplifying the overall formulation despite the advanced chemistry involved
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 effectively renders fibrous substrates highly water-repellent with a minimum initial spray rating of 80 and maintains this property after multiple launderings, demonstrating high durability and compliance with fluorine-free requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the treating composition comprises: one or more polymeric compounds derived from the polymerization of at least one (meth)acrylate monomer comprising at least one isocyanate-derived group and at least one hydrocarbon group having at least 16 carbon atoms
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a fibrous substrate, the method including applying a fluorine-free treating composition in an amount sufficient to make the fibrous substrate water repellent, wherein the treating composition includes one or more polymeric compounds derived from the polymerization of at least one (meth)acrylate monomer comprising at least one isocyanate-derived group and at least one hydrocarbon group having at least 16 carbon atoms.