Non-Aqueous Curable Coatings With Multiple Cure Reactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The coatings industry faces challenges in developing non-isocyanate coatings that offer performance comparable to polyurethane systems while addressing environmental health and safety concerns associated with isocyanate crosslinkers.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous, curable film-forming composition comprising an anhydride functional compound, a hydroxyl functional compound, and a carbodiimide functional compound, which undergo multiple cure reactions through the reaction of anhydride or acid functional groups with hydroxyl and/or carbodiimide groups, and condensation of hydrolyzed groups, forming coatings that cure at ambient conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyfunctional isocyanate crosslinkers are used to achieve ambient temperature curing and durability, then coating performance is improved, but user sensitization and environmental health and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating durabilityVSAvoiduser sensitization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes isocyanate crosslinkers from the coating formulation entirely, extracting the harmful substance while maintaining the crosslinking function through alternative chemistry (carboxylic acid-functional silane with polyol). This eliminates user sensitization risks while preserving coating durability and ambient temperature curing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinking system by replacing isocyanate groups with carboxylic acid-functional silane groups that react with polyol hydroxyl groups. This parameter change maintains the crosslinking mechanism and coating performance while eliminating the harmful isocyanate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-isocyanate crosslinkers are developed to eliminate sensitization risks, then safety is improved, but performance comparability with polyurethane systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser sensitizationVSAvoidcoating performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite crosslinking system combining carboxylic acid-functional silane and polyol components, creating a hybrid chemistry that mimics polyurethane performance. The silane provides crosslinking density and moisture cure capability, while the polyol contributes flexibility and adhesion, together achieving durability comparable to isocyanate-cured coatings without the sensitization issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If isocyanates are regulated to address environmental concerns, then environmental health and safety are improved, but availability of high-performance coating formulations worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental health and safetyVSAvoidformulation availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces carboxylic acid-functional silane as an intermediary crosslinking agent that bridges the gap between environmental regulations and performance requirements. This intermediary chemistry provides the necessary crosslinking function without using regulated isocyanates, ensuring both compliance and availability of high-performance formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves coatings with properties comparable to polyurethane coatings, eliminating the need for isocyanates and ensuring safety and performance in aerospace, industrial, and automotive applications.

Implementation Method 1

reaction of the anhydride or an acid functional group derived therefrom with hydroxyl and/or carbodiimide functional groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

condensation of hydrolyzed groups formed from the hydrolyzable functional groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS12415887B2Methods of preparing coated substrates and non-aqueous, curable film-forming compositions used therefor

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to non-aqueous, curable film-forming compositions comprising: a) an anhydride functional compound; b) at least one of: (i) a hydroxyl functional compound having at least two hydroxyl functional groups and (ii) a carbodiimide functional compound; and c) hydrolyzable functional groups. After application of the curable film-forming composition to a substrate to form a coated substrate, and upon subjecting the coated substrate to curing conditions, the curable film-forming composition undergoes multiple cure reactions. The present invention is further directed to methods of preparing coated substrates with these compositions.