Perfluoropolyether-Grafted Fluoroelastomer for Marking Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for enhanced fluorinated polymers that can form marking system surfaces with high contact angles and low sliding angles to improve the wettability and contamination resistance in printing applications, as existing fluoroelastomers and fluoropolymers do not adequately address these requirements.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluoroelastomer compositions comprising a perfluoropolyether-grafted polymer, where the fluoroelastomer is grafted with an amino-functionalized alkoxy-terminated fluorosilicone component, and optionally including functional fillers, which are used to create surfaces with high contact angles and low sliding angles, suitable for marking systems such as ink-based digital printing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluoroelastomers and fluoropolymers are used, then thermal and chemical properties are maintained, but contact angle and sliding angle performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluoroelastomer base polymer with perfluoropolyether side chains to create a composite material structure. The fluoroelastomer provides thermal and chemical stability, while the perfluoropolyether grafts provide enhanced hydrophobicity and low surface energy, achieving both reliability and improved wettability performance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the fluoroelastomer by introducing perfluoropolyether side chains through grafting. This changes the surface energy parameters and molecular structure, transforming the material properties to achieve higher contact angles and lower sliding angles while maintaining the base polymer's thermal and chemical characteristics
2Ease of manufacture
If existing fluorinated polymers are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but wettability and contamination resistance are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by grafting perfluoropolyether side chains specifically to the surface regions of the fluoroelastomer polymer chains. This creates localized areas of high hydrophobicity and low surface energy at the interface, improving wettability and contamination resistance without requiring complete restructuring of the entire material system
Solution Approach 2:
The perfluoropolyether acts as an intermediary component between the fluoroelastomer base polymer and the marking materials/contaminants. It provides a intermediate surface layer with specific chemical properties that enhance release and anti-contamination performance while maintaining compatibility with the base polymer structure
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 resulting surfaces exhibit improved hydrophobicity and anti-contamination properties, with high contact angles and low sliding angles, enhancing the performance of marking systems by facilitating easy removal of marking materials and reducing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
Fluoroelastomer compositions and methods for manufacturing such compositions using chemical grafting reactions applied to commercially available fluoroelastomer polymers are provided
Implementation Method 2
Surfaces in accordance with embodiments exhibit high contact angle, or angle at which a liquid interface meets a solid interface. The contact angle is a criterion of surface hydrophobicity
Data Source
AI summary
A marking system surface material includes a fluoroelastomer including grafted fluorinated polymers. The fluoroelastomer is a perfluoropolyether-grafted fluoroelastomer formed using an alkoxy-terminated fluorosilicone component, and exhibiting high contact angle and low sliding angle.