Moisture-Crosslinkable Polymer Material for Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Common polymer-based compositions that cure via reactive silyl groups lack dimensional stability, making them unsuitable for applications as layer bodies or adhesive tapes, as they tend to run or be squeezed out, and fail to provide high bond strengths with positional precision when cured with atmospheric moisture.

Innovation Solution

A chemically precrosslinked autohesive polymer material with terminal silyl groups that can be further crosslinked with moisture, comprising at least one polymer with terminal silyl groups, Si-bonded OH groups, organosilane or organooligosiloxane, and a condensation catalyst, allowing for application as a layer body on a substrate and achieving high bond strengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polymer-based compositions with reactive silyl groups are used for curing, then high adhesion to substrate surfaces is achieved, but dimensional stability is lost causing the material to run or be squeezed out

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary crosslinking before application to achieve dimensional stability. The polymer material is pre-crosslinked to a controlled extent (5-50% conversion) during manufacturing, which locks the material's shape and prevents running or squeezing out during application, while still allowing subsequent moisture curing to develop full adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the crosslinking degree parameter from 0% (uncured) to a controlled range of 5-50% (pre-crosslinked). This parameter change enables the material to exhibit both dimensional stability (from partial crosslinking) and adhesion capability (from remaining reactive groups that cure with moisture).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If polymer material is applied as a layer body, then positional precision is required, but material running or squeezing out prevents accurate positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional precisionVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The material is pre-crosslinked during manufacturing to establish dimensional stability before application. This preliminary structural development ensures the material maintains its shaped form during handling and application, enabling precise positioning without running or squeezing out.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If fully crosslinked material is used, then high bond strength is achieved, but the material cannot be applied as a layer body due to loss of processability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidapplicability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs partial crosslinking (5-50% conversion) as a preliminary step during manufacturing. This intermediate state provides sufficient dimensional stability for application while retaining enough uncured reactive groups to allow the material to remain processable and applicable as a layer body. Subsequent moisture exposure completes the crosslinking to achieve full bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying fully crosslinked material (excessive action) or uncured material (insufficient action), the patent applies partial crosslinking (5-50% conversion). This partial action optimizes the balance between dimensional stability for application and processability for layer body formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If uncured polymer material is applied, then ease of application is achieved, but dimensional stability is lost causing running or squeezing out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The material undergoes preliminary crosslinking (5-50% conversion) during manufacturing, which provides sufficient dimensional stability to prevent running or squeezing out during application, while still maintaining ease of application through controlled rheology and adhesion properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 polymer material maintains dimensional stability during application and curing, enabling high bond strengths and positional precision, preventing running or squeezing, and allowing for easy application and removal without residue, suitable for structural bonds and adhesive tapes.

Implementation Method 1

The polymers are capable of entering into condensation reactions with one another, either under the influence of moisture from the environment or mediated through added crosslinkers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Implementation Method 2

The silyl groups with their eliminable substituents are introduced... by reacting silanes containing active hydrogen atoms with isocyanate-functionalized polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

The polymer material is chemically precrosslinked and further crosslinkable with moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical crosslinking:

Data Source

PatentUS11312889B2Moisture-crosslinkable, dimensionally stable polymer material
Publication Date: 2022.04.26 TESA SE

AI summary

An autohesive polymer material that includes: at least one polymer having at least two terminal silyl groups of the Formula (1) given by:Si(R1)a(R2)b  (1).Each of the radicals R1 comprises an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group or a hydrogen atom. Each of the radicals R2 comprises a group that can be eliminated with water, b is 1, 2 or 3, and a is 3−b. The polymer material further includes at least one condensation catalyst. Further, the polymer material is chemically precrosslinked and further crosslinkable with moisture. In addition, the polymer material is configured for use as a layer body that can be applied to a substrate. The polymer material of this kind can also be used for producing permanent bonds.