PHA Resin Tube Composition for Faster Extrusion Solidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) resin-containing tubes is hindered by low productivity due to slow solidification speed during extrusion molding.

Innovation Solution

A resin tube composition comprising specific proportions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer, with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) ranging from 7 to 13 wt%, enhances solidification speed and productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) resin is used for tube production, then marine degradability and biodegradability are achieved, but solidification speed during extrusion molding becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarine degradabilityVSAvoidsolidification speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer and poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the combination of materials with different solidification characteristics, achieving both marine degradability and improved solidification speed for high-productivity tube production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the ratio of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) to poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer within specific ranges. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the solidification speed is enhanced while maintaining the marine degradability property of the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) resin system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) resin is used for tube production, then bio-based properties are achieved, but productivity remains low due to slow solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebio-based propertyVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system combining poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer and poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer. This composite structure maintains the bio-based property inherited from the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer while the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) component contributes to faster solidification, thereby improving production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the compositional parameters by optimizing the weight ratio between poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer. This parameter optimization enables the resin composition to solidify faster during extrusion molding, increasing productivity while preserving the bio-based characteristic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high solidification speed is achieved, then productivity improves, but gel formation increases affecting appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolidification speedVSAvoidappearance quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the compositional parameters within specific ranges: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) at 60-80 wt% and poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer at 20-40 wt%. This optimized parameter range achieves high solidification speed for improved productivity while minimizing gel formation to maintain good appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by having different polymer components serve different functions: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) provides fast solidification, while poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer controls gel formation. This functional differentiation within the composite allows simultaneous achievement of high productivity and good appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 resin tube is produced at high productivity with reduced gel formation, maintaining a good appearance and mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

the inventors have found that a resin tube having a good appearance can be produced at high productivity by using given proportions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer as poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) resins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250243360A1Resin tube
Publication Date: 2025.07.31 KANEKA CORP

AI summary

A resin tube contains poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer. The amount of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is from 7 to 13 wt % based on 100 wt % of the total amount of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and the copolymer. The copolymer may include a copolymer (A) which is a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate units and other hydroxyalkanoate units and in which the proportion of the other hydroxyalkanoate units in the total amount of the 3-hydroxybutyrate units and the hydroxyalkanoate units is from 1 to 5 mol %.