Organic Peroxide Compositions for Low-Temperature Polymer Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic peroxide formulations for crosslinking polymers, such as DYBP, require high temperatures and long cure cycles, leading to decreased cure efficiency, productivity, and pose safety risks due to harmful gaseous by-products.

Innovation Solution

A combination of ethylenically unsaturated and saturated organic peroxides, along with free radical traps and unsaturated compounds, is used to create a liquid or near-liquid peroxide composition that provides improved scorch times, reduced porosity, and safer decomposition by-products, allowing for faster curing at lower temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If DYBP (2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butyl peroxy)hexyne-3) is used as a crosslinking agent, then long scorch times are achieved during polymer compounding and processing, but long cure cycles and high temperatures are required which decrease cure efficiency and productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescorch timeVSAvoidcure efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the peroxide from acetylenic (DYBP) to ethylenically unsaturated (containing C=C bonds), which fundamentally alters the decomposition kinetics and cure characteristics, enabling shorter cure cycles while maintaining adequate scorch time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite peroxide formulations combining ethylenically unsaturated peroxides with specific coagents and additives to achieve synergistic effects that optimize both scorch time and cure speed, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If DYBP formulations are used, then adequate scorch times are achieved, but harmful gaseous and liquid acetylenic decomposition by-products are generated which pose skin irritation risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescorch timeVSAvoiddecomposition by-products

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful acetylenic decomposition pathway into a beneficial ethylenic decomposition pathway where the C=C bonds in the peroxide structure lead to formation of less harmful by-products, while still maintaining the desired scorch time characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the peroxide structure from acetylenic to ethylenically unsaturated, the decomposition chemistry is fundamentally altered to produce different by-products that are less harmful to skin and air hygiene

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If high temperatures are used for curing with DYBP, then crosslinking is achieved, but cure times are extended and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecure temperatureVSAvoidcure time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the activation energy parameters of the crosslinking reaction by using ethylenically unsaturated peroxides that decompose and initiate crosslinking at lower temperatures with faster kinetics, thereby reducing both cure temperature and cure time requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the thermal decomposition mechanism of traditional peroxides with a more efficient free radical initiation mechanism from ethylenically unsaturated peroxides, which proceeds faster at lower temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 longer scorch times, reduced cure times, and improved crosslinking efficiency with enhanced safety and hygiene, resulting in higher quality polymer products with minimal porosity and lower environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

thermoplastic polymers and elastomers are crosslinked with free radical crosslinking agents or initiators, such as organic peroxides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

capable of being crosslinked by free radical means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3559153B1Efficient curative for free radically-crosslinkable polymers

Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ARKEMA INC

AI summary

An organic peroxide composition is provided which is liquid or near liquid at 25°C or a low melting solid and which includes at least one ethylenically unsaturated organic peroxide (i.e., an organic peroxide containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond) and at least one saturated organic peroxide. The organic peroxide composition may further include at least one mono- and/or poly-unsaturated compound and at least one free-radical trap. The organic peroxide can be blended into a polymer such as a powdered or granular polyethylene resin. This peroxide-containing polymer can be used in rotational molding, wherein the polymer is added to a mold which is heated in an oven with rotation, thereby melting the polymer and coating the inside of the mold.