Mixed Oxyalkylene Polyol Adhesive Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyurethane compositions used in surface coatings and adhesives face challenges such as low tensile strength and poor adhesion to smooth, inert surfaces like glass and ceramic, and are often solvent-based, which are environmentally toxic and flammable.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinkable polymeric composition is developed using a mixture of two or more polyols with specific oxyalkylene units, where at least one unit has two carbon atoms between neighboring oxygen atoms, and another unit has more carbon atoms in this configuration, allowing for improved crosslinking and enhanced tensile strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyurethanes with reactive end groups (e.g., NCO groups) are used to enable crosslinking and adhesion, then adhesion to surfaces and curing capability are improved, but carbon dioxide formation occurs in the presence of water which adversely affects surface structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing mixed oxyalkylene units with specific carbon atom counts (1-4 carbon atoms between oxygen atoms) into the polyol structure. This modifies the polymer's chemical properties to achieve both adhesion and reduced CO2 formation, as the specific oxyalkylene structure provides bonding capability while the controlled carbon content prevents excessive carbon dioxide generation during curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polyol structure by combining multiple oxyalkylene units with different carbon atom counts (1-4 carbons) within the same polymer chain. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the adhesion properties needed for bonding and the reduced CO2 formation characteristic of the specific oxyalkylene composition, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Reliability
If alkoxy silane end groups are introduced to improve adhesion to smooth inert surfaces, then adhesion to glass, ceramic, and metal surfaces is improved, but the complexity of the polymer structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adhesion-functionality into specific oxyalkylene units within the polyol backbone rather than relying on complex silane end groups. By dividing the polymer structure into repeating oxyalkylene segments with controlled carbon atom counts, the material achieves adhesion capability through the segmented structure itself, reducing the need for additional complex functional groups at the ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed oxyalkylene units serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide adhesion to inert surfaces, control the polymer's mechanical properties, and regulate curing behavior. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized end groups, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining or improving adhesion performance.
3Ease of operation
If solvent-based elastic adhesives are used to achieve ease of handling, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental toxicity and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent component from the adhesive formulation, relying instead on the inherent properties of the mixed oxyalkylene polyol structure to provide the necessary handling characteristics. By removing the harmful solvent element while retaining the functional polyol structure, the material achieves ease of handling without the associated environmental toxicity and flammability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed oxyalkylene polyol structure provides self-sufficient handling properties through its inherent viscosity and reactivity characteristics, eliminating the need for external solvents to facilitate processing. The polymer itself serves the dual purpose of being both the structural component and the processing medium, thereby removing harmful solvents while maintaining ease of operation.
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 high tensile strength and improved adhesion to various surfaces, while being solvent-free, thus addressing environmental and performance issues of previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
a copolymer that comprises silicon-containing functional groups capable of being crosslinked through the formation of siloxane bonds
Implementation Method 2
Those polyurethanes comprising reactive end groups that can be crosslinked by means of an externally added compound are of particular interest. Examples of such end groups are those that can react with water, for example in the form of humid air.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to compositions that are produced using a mixture from two or more polyols and to a method for producing said compositions. The invention also relates to the use of said compositions as adhesives, sealing compounds, surface-coating agents, fillers or for producing molded parts.