Near-Infrared Curable Aqueous Coating for Fast Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent-based coatings are economically disadvantageous and environmentally harmful, while water-based coatings with thermal or physical curing are slow and limited in application, and radiation-curable coatings face limitations due to visible light absorption and require additional physical drying.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous coating composition using a reactive compound with free radically polymerizable double bonds, cyanin, and iodonium salt, which is curable by near-infrared radiation, eliminating the need for organic solvents and facilitating rapid chemical and physical drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thermal curing is used to provide chemical crosslinking in water-based coatings, then mechanical properties are improved, but curing speed decreases and high temperatures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal activation with radiation activation (UV or visible light) to initiate free radical polymerization. The photoinitiator system absorbs radiation energy and generates free radicals that trigger crosslinking without requiring high temperatures, thus improving curing speed while maintaining mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation parameter from thermal energy to radiation energy. By introducing a photoinitiator system that absorbs UV or visible light, the curing process is activated by electromagnetic radiation instead of heat, enabling rapid curing at ambient temperatures and improving productivity.
2Productivity
If conventional photo initiator systems are used in radiation-curable aqueous dispersions, then rapid curing is achieved, but visible light absorption causes coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the photoinitiator system to have specific absorption characteristics - absorbing only in the UV or blue/violet region while being transparent in the green/yellow/red regions. This localized absorption property enables rapid curing without visible coloration, as the initiator does not absorb in the visible range where human eyes are most sensitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects or designs photoinitiators with specific spectral absorption profiles that do not absorb visible light or absorb minimally. This prevents the coloration effect that occurs when conventional photoinitiators absorb visible light, maintaining the clarity and aesthetic appearance of the coating.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based coatings are used instead of solvent-based coatings, then environmental pollution is reduced, but curing performance and mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a photoinitiator as an intermediary substance that enables chemical crosslinking in water-based systems. The photoinitiator absorbs radiation energy and generates free radicals that trigger polymerization and crosslinking of the binder, providing the necessary curing performance and mechanical properties without requiring organic solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite water-based coating system combining the aqueous binder dispersion with a photoinitiator system. This composite formulation enables radiation-curable crosslinking in an environmentally friendly water-based matrix, achieving both low pollution and high curing performance.
4Reliability
If physical drying is required before radiation curing in aqueous dispersions, then coating quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the physical drying process with the radiation curing process. The radiation-curable formulation is designed to undergo simultaneous water evaporation and chemical crosslinking when exposed to UV or visible light, eliminating the sequential process and reducing total processing time while maintaining coating quality.
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 composition provides rapid curing, improved mechanical properties, and allows application on non-absorbent substrates without visible color, addressing environmental and economic concerns while enhancing process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive compound (M) containing at least one free radically polymerizable double bond, ii) a cyanin (C) and iii) an iodonium salt (O), wherein at least a partial quantity of the cyanin (C) and of the iodonium salt (O) were dissolved in a contained aqueous phase (A)
Implementation Method 2
a cyanin (C)... at least a partial quantity of the cyanin (C) and of the iodonium salt (O) were dissolved in a contained aqueous phase (A)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition (T) comprising: a reactive compound (M) containing at least one free radically polymerizable double bond, a cyanin (C) and an iodonium salt (O), wherein at least a partial quantity of the cyanin (C) and of the iodonium salt (O) were dissolved in a contained aqueous phase (A) comprising at least 40 wt.% water.