Modified Cellulose Ether Binder for Ceramic Extrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceramic extrusion molding compositions using alkyl celluloses and hydroxyalkyl alkyl celluloses face issues with shape retention during drying due to gel formation, which slows down drying and increases extrusion pressure, leading to sticking and reduced molding rates.

Innovation Solution

A non-crosslinked, nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether with hydroxyl groups substituted by alkyl halides or monoepoxides/monoisocyanates, providing a syneresis value of at least 25% by weight, which allows for thermal gelation with lower viscosity under high shear rates, enabling efficient extrusion molding and fast drying without shape distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If alkyl celluloses or hydroxyalkyl alkyl celluloses are used as binders to maintain shape during drying, then shape retention is improved, but drying rate deteriorates due to water trapped within gel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape retentionVSAvoiddrying rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure of cellulose ether by introducing specific substituents (halides, monoepoxides, or monoisocyanates with 6-26 carbon atoms) and controlling the syneresis value (25-70% by weight). This parameter modification allows the binder to achieve thermal gelation for shape retention while enabling faster water evaporation during drying, thus resolving the contradiction between shape retention and drying rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If binder is added in sufficient amount to develop thermal gel strength, then shape retention during drying is improved, but extrusion pressure increases due to high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal gel strengthVSAvoidextrusion pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the binder's physical-chemical parameters by selecting specific substituents (halides, monoepoxides, monoisocyanates) and controlling the syneresis value range (25-70%). This enables the binder to achieve sufficient thermal gel strength for shape retention while maintaining lower viscosity during extrusion, thus reducing extrusion pressure and allowing efficient molding at higher rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If extrusion molding rate is increased to improve productivity, then molding efficiency is improved, but shape retention deteriorates due to insufficient binding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding rateVSAvoidshape retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the binder's molecular structure by introducing specific substituents (halides, monoepoxides, monoisocyanates with 6-26 carbon atoms) and controlling syneresis value (25-70% by weight). This enables the binder to maintain sufficient binding strength and shape retention even at increased extrusion molding rates, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and shape retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified cellulose ether ensures effective shape retention and fast drying of ceramic parts during extrusion and drying processes, reducing extrusion pressure and maintaining part integrity even at increased molding rates.

Implementation Method 1

the binder displays thermal gelation in aqueous solution form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal gelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

the viscosity at a high shear rate during extrusion molding is extremely lower than the viscosity under no shearing conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear thinning: Shear Thinning

Implementation Method 3

This interferes with evaporation of water and retards drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS8821624B2Ceramic extrusion molding composition and binder
Publication Date: 2014.09.02 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A non-crosslinked, nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether having a syneresis value of at least 25% by weight in which the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group is substituted by a C6-C26 alkyl halide, monoepoxide or monoisocyanate is useful as a binder in ceramic extrusion molding.