Modified Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber Curing Without Halogen Substitution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Isobutylene-isoprene rubber faces challenges in curing due to a lack of unsaturated bonds, leading to inferior workability and potential environmental and health hazards from halogen substitution, which affects adhesive properties and optical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber with structural units containing alkyl groups including aminoethyl ester groups, allowing for thermo-curing and photo-curing without high temperature vulcanization or halogen substitution, enhancing adhesive properties, flexibility, and water vapor transmission resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vulcanization treatment is carried out to cure isobutylene-isoprene rubber, then curing ability is improved, but optical characteristics deteriorate due to discoloration and workability becomes inferior due to high temperature process requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring abilityVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of isobutylene-isoprene rubber by introducing carboxyl groups through reaction with cyclic acid anhydrides, transforming the curing mechanism from traditional high-temperature vulcanization to lower-temperature curing that preserves optical characteristics and improves workability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber with specific curing agents (isocyanates, aziridines, epoxy compounds, or metal chelates), enabling curing at lower temperatures while maintaining curing ability and avoiding discoloration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If halogen substitution is used to cross-link isobutylene-isoprene rubber, then curing ability is improved, but environmental and health hazards increase due to toxicity of halogen elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring abilityVSAvoidenvironmental and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the natural limitation of isobutylene-isoprene rubber (low unsaturation making it difficult to cure) into an advantage by introducing carboxyl groups that enable alternative curing mechanisms, eliminating the need for harmful halogen substitution while achieving effective cross-linking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces carboxyl groups as intermediary functional groups that mediate the cross-linking process, replacing the need for direct halogen substitution and enabling curing through safer mechanisms involving cyclic acid anhydrides and compatible curing agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional vulcanization or halogen substitution is used, then curing is achieved, but adhesive properties and optical characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecuringVSAvoidadhesive property

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces carboxyl groups at specific locations in the rubber molecular structure through controlled reaction with cyclic acid anhydrides, creating localized functional sites that enhance adhesive properties without compromising the overall rubber matrix or causing discoloration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rubber by introducing polar carboxyl groups, which improve adhesive properties through enhanced interfacial bonding, while simultaneously enabling curing at lower temperatures that preserve optical characteristics

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 rubber achieves excellent adhesive properties, flexibility, and water vapor transmission resistance while avoiding the hazards of halogen substitution, maintaining uniform physical properties and preventing discoloration, with a gel fraction of 10% or more and adhesive strength of 500 g/in to 6,000 g/in.

Implementation Method 1

A modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber with structural units containing alkyl groups including aminoethyl ester groups, allowing for thermo-curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal curing: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

A modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber with structural units containing alkyl groups including aminoethyl ester groups, allowing for thermo-curing and photo-curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS10301453B2Modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber, preparation method therefor, and cured product

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Provided is a novel modified isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR).