Plasma-Treated Silicone Bonding for Subsea Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low energy dissimilar materials, such as those used in subsea equipment, are difficult to bond securely due to their low surface energy characteristics, particularly in harsh subsea environments where strong and long-lasting bonds are required.
Innovation Solution
Plasma treating the external surface of one material, applying a silane-based primer, and then bonding a silicone-based material to it, ensuring a strong and durable connection suitable for subsea conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If low energy dissimilar materials are bonded directly without surface treatment, then the bonding process is simple, but the bond strength is insufficient for harsh subsea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment (plasma treatment) and intermediate layer application (primer) before bonding the final materials. This preparatory action modifies the surface energy of low energy materials to enable strong bonding, resolving the contradiction by accepting increased process complexity to achieve the required bond strength for subsea applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a primer as an intermediary substance between the low energy material and the silicone-based material. This primer layer acts as a mediator that bridges the incompatibility between dissimilar materials, enabling strong adhesion where direct bonding would fail, thus achieving high bond strength despite the complexity of the multi-step process
2Adaptability or versatility
If platinum cured silicone is bonded to dissimilar materials, then the silicone bonding characteristics are maintained, but bonding is limited to other platinum cured silicones only
Solution Approach 1:
The primer serves as an intermediary that enables platinum cured silicone to bond to dissimilar low energy materials while maintaining the silicone's bonding characteristics. The primer creates a compatible interface that allows the silicone to adhere strongly to materials like polypropylene and PEEK, expanding material compatibility without compromising bond durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the low energy materials through plasma treatment, transforming them from incompatible surfaces to compatible bonding surfaces. This parameter change enables the platinum cured silicone to bond to a wider range of materials while maintaining reliable performance in subsea conditions
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 method achieves a bonding strength greater than the strength of the silicone material itself, providing a reliable and long-lasting bond suitable for subsea applications.
Implementation Method 1
plasma treating an external surface of a first material
Implementation Method 2
The primer may be silane based
Data Source
AI summary
A silicone based insulation layer for subsea use is applied onto subsea structures such as pipeline components by plasma treating the subsea structure, applying a siloxane primer thereto,allowing the primer to cure,and applying the insulation layer uncured onto the primer so that as the insulation material cures it also bonds onto the treated subsea structure.