Phosphorus Polyester Adhesives for Flame Retardancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flame retardants used in adhesives and sealants often compromise adhesive properties, as they are added as separate components rather than being inherently integrated into the formulation.

Innovation Solution

The use of phosphorus-containing polyesters, synthesized through a melt-condensation process, which incorporate a diol of a specific formula that acts as a reactive flame retardant, ensuring flame retardancy without adverse effects on adhesion or sealing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If flame retardants are added as separate components to adhesives and sealants, then flame retardancy is improved, but adhesive properties are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidadhesive properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the flame retardant function with the adhesive base material by incorporating phosphorus-containing compounds directly into the polyester or polyurethane structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate flame retardant additives while maintaining both adhesive strength and flame retardancy, as the flame retardant becomes an integral part of the polymer chain rather than a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite polymer structures where phosphorus-containing monomers are integrated into the polyester or polyurethane matrix. This results in a composite material that inherently possesses both adhesive properties and flame retardancy, avoiding the performance degradation associated with adding separate flame retardant additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flame retardants are added as additives to adhesive formulations, then flame retardancy is improved, but overall adhesive bonding effect is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidadhesive bonding effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flame retardant functionality is merged with the adhesive bonding functionality by incorporating phosphorus-containing compounds into the polymer structure itself. This ensures that the flame retardant and adhesive components work together as a unified system rather than as separate, potentially conflicting additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by incorporating specific phosphorus-containing monomers at controlled levels (0.1-15 mol%). This parameter change enables the adhesive to achieve flame retardancy while maintaining reliable bonding performance, as the phosphorus content is optimized to balance flame protection with adhesive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 polyesters provide effective flame retardancy without impairing adhesive or sealing properties, as the phosphorus-containing comonomer is covalently linked, preventing migration and ensuring long-lasting performance.

Implementation Method 1

polyesters with inherent flame retardancy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy:

Implementation Method 2

synthesized through a melt-condensation process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS9840581B2Use of polyesters having inherent flame protection in adhesives and sealants

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of polyesters with inherent flame retardancy as or in adhesives, sealants and coatings, to polyesters with inherent flame retardancy and to processes for production thereof.