Nonwoven Substrate Without Compatibilizer for Polyolefin Engineering Thermoplastic Blends

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of compatibilizers required to improve interfacial adhesion between polyolefins and engineering thermoplastic polymers in nonwoven substrates increases manufacturing costs, and existing solutions do not effectively reduce waste while maintaining mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

A nonwoven substrate comprising a layer of fibers made from a polyolefin and an engineering thermoplastic polymer without the use of a compatibilizer, which includes a laminate structure with additional materials, such as elastomeric films, to enhance tensile properties and reduce manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a compatibilizer is used to improve interfacial adhesion between polyolefin and engineering thermoplastic polymer, then the mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterfacial adhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the compatibilizer component from the fiber composition, demonstrating that polyolefin and engineering thermoplastic polymer can be combined without this intermediate substance. The invention proves that the compatibilizer is not essential for achieving acceptable interfacial adhesion, thereby removing the cost burden while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by varying the ratio of polyolefin to engineering thermoplastic polymer and eliminating the compatibilizer entirely. By adjusting these parameters, the invention achieves optimal mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion without requiring the additional compatibilizer component, thus reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If low quantities of engineering thermoplastic polymers are included in commodity thermoplastic polymers, then functionality and mechanical properties are improved, but the compatibility and interfacial adhesion deteriorate due to immiscibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by optimizing the ratio of polyolefin to engineering thermoplastic polymer and eliminating the compatibilizer. By adjusting these parameters, the invention achieves optimal mechanical properties while managing the immiscibility issue through parameter optimization rather than requiring additional compatibilizing agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3152350B1Nonwoven substrate comprising fibers comprising an engineering thermoplastic polymer
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3152350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3152350B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3152350B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A nonwoven substrate comprising a polyolefin and an engineering thermoplastic polymer. The engineering thermoplastic polymer may be present in the nonwoven substrate at a level of between about 1% and about 20% by weight of the nonwoven substrate. The layer of fibers is free of a compatibilizer.