PC Strand Coating Film Uniformity via Viscosity Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional powder coating methods for PC strands often result in uneven film thickness and stringiness, leading to high costs and reduced yield due to excessive coating composition usage and difficulties in achieving even coating.

Innovation Solution

A powder coating composition with a melt viscosity of 3000 to 15000 poise, comprising epoxy resin and phenolic curing agent, is used for continuous coating of PC strands via immersion or electrostatic immersion coating methods, ensuring even film thickness and preventing stringiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional powder coating composition is used for immersion coating under flowing, then coating can be applied to PC strand, but uneven film thickness occurs with various thicknesses in cross section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm thickness uniformityVSAvoidcoating process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of melt viscosity to a specific range (3000-15000 poise) to resolve the contradiction. This parameter optimization enables the coating composition to achieve uniform film thickness during immersion coating while maintaining process simplicity, as the controlled viscosity prevents both thin and excessively thick coating areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If electrostatic immersion coating under flowing is used to improve attachment, then coating attachment improves, but uneven thickness and stringiness occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating attachmentVSAvoidfilm thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the melt viscosity parameter to 3000-15000 poise, which balances coating attachment and film thickness uniformity. This viscosity range allows the coating to attach reliably while preventing the stringiness phenomenon that occurs with improper viscosity control during electrostatic immersion coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite powder coating composition containing epoxy resin, phenolic curing agent, and inorganic filler. This composite formulation achieves both good attachment and uniform thickness by combining materials with complementary properties that work together during the electrostatic immersion coating process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If thick film coating (>1200 μm) is applied to fulfill minimum thickness standards, then corrosion protection is ensured, but attachment amount increases leading to high expense

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidcoating composition usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes melt viscosity to achieve uniform film thickness distribution, eliminating the need for excessive thick coating to ensure minimum thickness coverage. The controlled viscosity ensures consistent coating application, reducing material usage while meeting corrosion protection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs immersion coating under flowing conditions, utilizing fluid dynamics to achieve uniform coating distribution. This method, combined with optimized viscosity, ensures even thickness without requiring excessive material application, reducing coating composition usage while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Manufacturing precision

If electrostatic gun powder coating is used to prevent uneven thickness, then film thickness uniformity improves, but multiple spray guns and sensitive control are needed increasing device complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm thickness uniformityVSAvoidcoating equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses immersion coating under flowing, a hydraulic-based method that naturally provides uniform coating distribution through fluid flow dynamics. This eliminates the need for multiple spray guns and complex control systems required by electrostatic gun methods, achieving thickness uniformity with simpler equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical spray gun system with a simpler immersion coating system. By substituting the mechanical spray application with fluid-based immersion coating and optimizing the coating composition viscosity, uniform thickness is achieved without requiring multiple spray guns or sensitive mechanical control.

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 solution provides even film thickness without stringiness, reducing coating composition usage and manufacturing costs while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility, thus enhancing the coating process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the powder coating composition has a melt viscosity of 3000 to 15000 poise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelt viscosity control:

Implementation Method 2

comprising an epoxy resin and a phenolic curing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

improve an attachment of a coating composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9169403B2Powder coating composition for PC strand coating, coating method, and coating film
Publication Date: 2015.10.27 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A powder coating composition for PC strand coating which, when used for the coating of a PC strand, can advantageously form a coating film having an even thickness at low cost without causing uneven thickness or stringness is disclosed. The powder coating composition of this invention for PC strand coating is characterized by having a melt viscosity of 3,000-15,000 poise.