Multilayer Polyamide Pipe Using Recycled Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
End-of-life automotive pipes, particularly those made of polyamide, degrade due to thermo-oxidative environments and lose plasticizers, making them unsuitable for reuse, leading to incineration and environmental impact, while manufacturers aim for 100% recycling to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer tubular structure for fluid transport in vehicles, comprising at least three layers: one layer with 50% recycled material from used polyamide tubes, and two layers with non-recycled semi-crystalline aliphatic polyamide, including PA12, PA612, or PA1010, with impact modifiers and additives, to maintain structural integrity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If end-of-life polyamide pipes are reused directly, then waste reduction is achieved, but the pipes have degraded due to thermo-oxidative environment and loss of plasticizers, making them unsafe and functionally inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite multilayer structure combining recycled polyamide material with virgin polyamide material. The recycled material (containing at least 50% recovered polyamide) is mixed with virgin polyamide in specific ratios (30-70% recycled content) to produce a composite that maintains the necessary mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and safety standards while reducing waste. This composite approach allows the recycled material to be used effectively despite its degraded state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the compositional parameters of the recycled material by controlling the percentage of recycled content (minimum 50%) and virgin material addition (30-70% recycled content in the final composition). These parameter changes optimize the balance between waste reduction and maintaining reliability, ensuring the final product meets safety standards while maximizing recycling.
2Quantity of substance
If end-of-life pipes are incinerated, then material recovery is achieved, but environmental pollution and climate change contribute increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery process that captures and reuses polyamide material from end-of-life pipes through grinding and recycling. Instead of incineration, the material is recovered, purified, and reintegrated into new pipe production. This closed-loop approach maximizes material recovery (using at least 50% recycled content) while eliminating the harmful emissions and environmental damage associated with incineration.
3Loss of substance
If recycled material from used pipes is used, then waste reduction and environmental impact reduction are achieved, but the structural integrity and functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite multilayer structure combining recycled polyamide material with virgin polyamide material. The recycled material (containing at least 50% recovered polyamide) is mixed with virgin polyamide in specific ratios (30-70% recycled content) to produce a composite that maintains the necessary mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and safety standards while reducing waste. This composite approach allows the recycled material to be used effectively despite its degraded state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a multilayer structure where different layers have different compositions. Some layers contain higher proportions of recycled material (at least 50%) while other layers may have different compositions to provide specific local functions such as enhanced structural integrity, chemical resistance, or flexibility. This local differentiation allows optimization of both waste reduction and structural performance in different regions of the pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer tubular structure (MLT) for transporting fluids for a motor vehicle, including at least three layers: at least one layer having a composition predominantly including at least one semi-crystalline aliphatic polyamide, the composition having at least 50% of recycled material from a single-layer and/or multilayer tube that has been intended for transporting fluids for a motor vehicle, the tube having a composition which predominantly includes at least one polyamide, at least one layer having a composition predominantly including at least one semi-crystalline aliphatic polyamide and optionally at least one impact modifier, and when the layer has a composition predominantly including at least one semi-crystalline aliphatic polyamide that is PA12 and/or PA612 and/or PA1010, then the composition includes the impact modifier, and at least one layer having a composition predominantly including at least one semi-crystalline aliphatic polyamide, the layer and the layer each having at least 90% of non-recycled material.