Polyamide Polyester Polyether Block Copolymer Cold Stiffening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing copolymers with polyamide and polyether blocks lack optimal balance of properties such as cold stiffening, hydrolysis resistance, and UV resistance, particularly in applications where moisture recovery affects mechanical performance.
Innovation Solution
A copolymer comprising polyamide blocks, polyester blocks, and polyether blocks with specific weight percentages and molecular masses, where the percentage of polyether blocks is greater than 15% and polyester blocks have a glass transition temperature lower than 10°C, enhancing flexibility and resistance while maintaining polyamide blocks below 85% by weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyamide blocks are used to provide strength and structural integrity, then mechanical strength is improved, but moisture absorption increases leading to reduced hydrolysis resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a block copolymer combining polyamide blocks (PA6, PA11, PA12) with polyether blocks (PTMG, PPG, PEO) and polyester blocks (PES). This composite structure leverages the strength of polyamide while the hydrophobic polyether and polyester segments reduce overall moisture absorption. The specific formulation with 60-80% polyamide, 10-30% polyether, and 5-20% polyester by weight optimizes both mechanical strength and hydrolysis resistance.
2Ease of operation
If polyether blocks are increased to improve flexibility and cold temperature performance, then cold stiffening is reduced, but hydrolysis resistance decreases due to higher moisture absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific polyether blocks (PTMG, PPG, PEO) with particular glass transition temperatures and molecular weights tailored for cold temperature flexibility, while locally balancing this with polyester blocks that provide hydrolysis resistance. The polyether content is precisely controlled at 10-30% to provide adequate cold flexibility without excessive moisture absorption.
3Ease of operation
If the copolymer is designed for high flexibility applications, then ease of operation at low temperatures is improved, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the glass transition temperature of polyether blocks (selecting PTMG with Tg=-90°C, PPG with Tg=-60°C, or PEO with Tg=-65°C) and controlling molecular weights to achieve desired flexibility. Simultaneously, the polyamide block composition (PA6, PA11, or PA12) and weight percentage (60-80%) are optimized to maintain mechanical strength despite increased flexibility requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a segmented block copolymer including polyamide blocks, polyester blocks and polyether blocks of the general formula (I) -[BD - BM]n- in which: BD or hard block is a polyamide block; BM or soft block is a mixture of polyether blocks and polyester blocks; and n is the number of -BD-BM- units in said copolymer; characterised in that the percentage of polyether blocks (PE blocks) is strictly higher than 15 wt % of said copolymer, and in that said polyester blocks (PES blocks) have a glass transition temperature T9 lower than 10°C.