Microencapsulated Amine Epoxy Adhesive for Thread-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thread-locking adhesives face challenges such as labor intensity, material wastage, inefficiency in automated production, inconsistent mixtures due to manual mixing, limited shelf-life, and environmental concerns related to volatile solvents.
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free one-part epoxy adhesive composition incorporating microencapsulated amines, where the amine microcapsules are dispersed within an epoxy matrix, allowing for pre-coating and delayed curing upon mechanical pressure, eliminating the need for separate mixing and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two-component water-based acrylate adhesives are used with manual mixing, then adhesive bonding is achieved, but inconsistent mixtures result impacting fastening quality
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is segmented into microencapsulated amine hardener particles dispersed in a one-part epoxy resin matrix. This segmentation allows the hardener to be contained in discrete capsules that rupture during mixing, ensuring consistent distribution without manual mixing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive system performs self-mixing through the rupture of microencapsulated hardener particles during application or storage. This eliminates the need for external manual mixing while ensuring uniform distribution of the hardener throughout the resin matrix.
2Loss of time
If two-component pre-coated adhesives are used, then on-site mixing is eliminated, but shelf-life post-mixing is limited to 6 hours resulting in waste
Solution Approach 1:
The amine hardener is pre-encapsulated in microcapsules and dispersed in the epoxy resin in advance. This preliminary action allows the adhesive to be prepared and stored for extended periods without curing, as the encapsulated hardener remains inactive until the capsule rupture releases it.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the hardener is changed from a liquid or solution to microencapsulated particles. This parameter change enables long-term stability and extended shelf-life while maintaining the ability to initiate curing when needed, eliminating the 6-hour limitation of conventional two-component systems.
3Strength
If conventional water-based thread-locking adhesives are used, then adhesive bonding is achieved, but hydrophilic materials absorb moisture post-application compromising curing strength
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive chemistry is changed from hydrophilic water-based acrylate to hydrophobic epoxy resin with microencapsulated amine hardener. This parameter change in chemical composition eliminates moisture absorption issues while maintaining effective curing strength.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If solvent-based one-part epoxy adhesives with amine hardeners are used, then long-term pre-coating is enabled, but amine hardeners are susceptible to chemical degradation and environmental hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The amine hardener is segmented into microencapsulated particles, isolating it from environmental factors during storage. This segmentation protects the hardener from chemical degradation while enabling long-term pre-coating, and reduces environmental hazards by containing the amine until activation.
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 adhesive composition provides improved efficiency and user-friendliness by allowing pre-coating and delayed curing, reducing material wastage, and eliminating the need for volatile solvents, while maintaining robust mechanical properties and effective thread-locking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the core comprises a polyamine and the shell comprises a crosslinked polyurea; and the dispersion matrix comprises an epoxy resin
Implementation Method 2
the shell comprises a crosslinked polyurea
Implementation Method 3
allowing for pre-coating and delayed curing upon mechanical pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A one-part adhesive composition useful for sealing threaded articles, wherein the one-part adhesive composition includes a plurality of microcapsules and a dispersion matrix, wherein each of the plurality of microcapsules comprise a core and a shell at least partially enclosing the core, wherein the core includes a polyamine and the shell comprises a crosslinked polyurea; and the dispersion matrix comprises an epoxy resin; a method of use thereof; and products thereof.