Molding Material High Specific Gravity Thermal Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Molding materials with high specific gravity face limitations in thermal conductivity, leading to longer cycle times due to low thermal conductivity with iron oxide, and high thermal conductivity materials with metal fillers result in poor flow characteristics and tight process windows.

Innovation Solution

A molding material composition comprising 10-25 weight percent amorphous thermoplastic resin, 3-25 weight percent aluminum oxide or boron nitride, and 65-87 weight percent iron oxide, which improves thermal conductivity and allows for higher iron oxide content, using styrene acrylonitrile resin for reduced cycle times and enhanced dimensional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If high density filler such as iron oxide is used to achieve high specific gravity, then the specific gravity is improved, but the thermal conductivity properties deteriorate leading to longer cycle times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific gravityVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining iron oxide particles with thermoplastic resin and graphite flakes to create a molding material that achieves high specific gravity while maintaining adequate thermal conductivity through the synergistic effects of the composite structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by controlling the particle size distribution of iron oxide (combining fine particles for density and coarse particles for structure), the aspect ratio of graphite flakes, and the temperature-history control during molding to achieve optimal balance between specific gravity and thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If metal based fillers with higher thermal conductivity are used, then the thermal conductivity is improved, but the flow characteristics deteriorate and process windows become smaller

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidflow characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes parameters by using graphite flakes with controlled aspect ratios and iron oxide particles with specific size distributions, along with controlling the temperature-history during molding, to achieve optimal balance between thermal conductivity and flow characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-scale particle distribution where fine iron oxide particles fill gaps between coarser particles and graphite flakes, providing localized density enhancement while maintaining overall flow characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of stationary object

If high percentage of iron oxide is used to increase specific gravity, then the specific gravity is improved, but the thermal conductivity deteriorates requiring longer cooling time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific gravityVSAvoidcooling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a tri-component system of iron oxide particles, thermoplastic resin, and graphite flakes that works synergistically to achieve high specific gravity while the graphite provides thermal conductivity pathways to reduce cooling time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dimensionality change by using graphite flakes with high aspect ratios that create two-dimensional thermal conductivity pathways through the material, efficiently conducting heat away from molded parts without requiring high volumes that would compromise specific gravity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 material achieves faster cooling times, improved flow characteristics, and increased iron oxide content, resulting in cost-effective, dimensionally stable products with attractive properties similar to metal products, while reducing manufacturing energy and resource usage.

Implementation Method 1

the thermal conductivity properties of the molding material are relatively poor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conductivity: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

molding materials having a relatively high specific gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity:

Implementation Method 3

acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, and styrene acrylonitrile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelastic flow: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3484951B1Molding material
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3484951B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3484951B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3484951B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A molding material having from about 10 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplastic resin, from about 3 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of aluminum oxide, boron nitride or aluminum silicate and from about 65 weight percent to about 87 weight percent of iron oxide.