Perfluoroelastomer Composition with Fluorosilane for Tack-Free Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for creating tack-free perfluoroelastomers require additional processing steps, such as surface treatment or coating, which complicate the manufacturing process and increase costs, while also risking degradation of the elastomeric properties.

Innovation Solution

A perfluoroelastomer composition incorporating a small amount of fluorosilane compound, specifically a perfluoropolyether or fluorodisilane, is used to prevent firm fixation to substrates without compromising the elastomeric properties, eliminating the need for additional processing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional surface treatment methods are used to create tack-free perfluoroelastomer, then the perfluoroelastomer can prevent firm fixation to substrate, but additional processing steps are required which complicates manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm fixation to substrateVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorosilane compound is incorporated into the perfluoroelastomer composition during the initial compounding stage, before molding. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the tack-free property is built into the material itself, eliminating the need for subsequent surface treatment steps after molding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorosilane compound provides self-service by automatically migrating to the surface of the perfluoroelastomer during molding and curing, where it forms a low-surface-energy layer that prevents adhesion. This self-organizing behavior occurs without external intervention or additional processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-generated harmful factors

If surface treatment agent is coated and heated to polymerize, then tack-free surface is achieved, but additional coating and heating steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm fixation to substrateVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the tack-free surface functionality with the base perfluoroelastomer material by incorporating the fluorosilane compound during compounding. This consolidation allows the material to be molded and cured in a single operation, combining what were previously separate steps (material preparation, surface treatment, and curing) into one integrated process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorosilane compound is prepared and incorporated into the elastomer matrix in advance, during the compounding stage. This preliminary action ensures that the surface-active component is uniformly distributed throughout the material before molding, eliminating the need for separate coating and heating steps that were previously required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If perfluoroelastomer is used for high temperature applications, then heat resistance is improved, but the perfluoroelastomer may stick to equipment substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidadhesion to substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the fluorosilane compound at the surface of the perfluoroelastomer through its inherent surface-active properties. This creates a localized low-surface-energy layer at the interface with the substrate, which prevents adhesion, while the bulk perfluoroelastomer maintains its high-temperature resistance and elastomeric properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where the perfluoroelastomer matrix provides heat resistance and mechanical properties, while the incorporated fluorosilane compound provides surface-level anti-adhesion functionality. This composite approach allows both high temperature resistance and non-stick properties to coexist without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 a tack-free perfluoroelastomer with maintained elastomeric properties, suitable for use in semiconductor equipment, without requiring special processing steps, thus simplifying and cost-effectively producing a sealing material with improved adherence prevention.

Implementation Method 1

the firm fixation of the fluoroelastomer to a substrate (for example, metal) can be prevented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion prevention: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS8013064B2Perfluoroelastomer composition and sealing material
Publication Date: 2011.09.06 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

To provide an elastomer composition that can be easily prevented from being blocking to a substrate. A perfluoroelastomer composition comprising (A) a perfluoroelastomer and (B) a fluorosilane compound.