Organic Coating Activation via Solvent Swelling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for improving the adhesion of aged or inert organic coatings to additional coating layers or entities are limited by commercial viability, health and safety concerns, and applicability to both small and large surfaces, with mechanical abrasion and chemical stripping being labor-intensive and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a solvent and an adhesion promoter to the organic coating, causing it to swell, thereby enhancing adhesion without compromising coating integrity, using mild reagents suitable for industrial environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical abrasion is used to improve adhesion of aged coatings, then adhesion is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidlabor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical abrasion with a chemical treatment system consisting of a multi-component solution (isocyanate, amine, and solvent) that chemically modifies the coating surface to improve adhesion. This substitution eliminates the need for manual sanding or blasting operations while achieving comparable or superior adhesion results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating surface by introducing reactive functional groups through the isocyanate-amine solution. This chemical modification alters the surface energy and reactivity of the aged coating, enabling better bonding with subsequent coatings without mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If chemical stripping agents are used to remove aged coatings, then coating removal rate is improved, but infrastructure downtime and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint stripping rateVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a barrier layer as an intermediary between the substrate and the stripping operation. This barrier layer protects the substrate from direct exposure to stripping agents while allowing controlled removal of the aged coating, reducing infrastructure complexity and downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a preparatory treatment to the coating surface before stripping or re-coating. This preliminary chemical modification creates a receptive surface that eliminates or reduces the need for aggressive stripping operations, thereby reducing infrastructure requirements and operational downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If strong bases are used to activate coating surfaces for grafting, then adhesion is improved, but coating integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidcoating integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mild isocyanate-amine chemistry instead of strong bases to modify the coating surface. This approach changes the surface chemical parameters to improve adhesion while maintaining the bulk coating integrity and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a surface treatment that creates a temporary reactive layer on the coating surface. This disposable surface modification provides the necessary adhesion promotion without permanently altering or degrading the underlying coating structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If UV light and H2O2 are used to improve adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but health and safety concerns and commercial viability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidoccupational health and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces UV light and hydrogen peroxide treatment with a room-temperature isocyanate-amine solution application. This changes the processing parameters from high-energy radiation and toxic chemicals to mild, easily applied liquid reagents, eliminating health and safety concerns while achieving adhesion improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method effectively improves the adhesion of organic coatings to further layers and entities without the need for mechanical abrasion or chemical stripping, ensuring the coating's integrity and safety in industrial settings, particularly in aerospace applications.

Implementation Method 1

contact of the organic coating with the solvent or the solvent and adhesion promoter combination results in swelling of the organic coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling:

Data Source

PatentUS8557343B2Activation method

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method of activating an organic coating, a coated substrate having an activated coating and an activation treatment for an organic coating. In particular, the activation method improves the adhesion of the organic coating to further coating layers and/or to other entities.