Polyester Elastic Aqueous Dispersion With Low Surfactant Bleeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aqueous dispersions of macromolecular elastic materials, such as styrene-type materials, suffer from inferior wear resistance, flex resistance, oil resistance, and weather resistance, and the methods used to produce them, including the use of organic solvents and thermal shear, pose environmental and adhesion issues.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous dispersion of a polyester-containing elastic material is developed, incorporating a non-ionic surface active agent at a specific ratio, which is emulsified within a temperature range between 40°C below and 100°C above the melting point of the material, resulting in a stable dispersion that minimizes bleeding of the surface active agent and enhances adhesiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aqueous dispersion of styrene-type elastic material is produced using conventional methods (organic solvent removal or thermal shear), then the material can be processed, but the molded article shows inferior wear resistance, flex resistance, oil resistance, and weather resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistance, flex resistance, oil resistance, weather resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental load, adhesion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting styrene-type elastic material with polyester-containing elastic material and adjusting the emulsifying agent composition (specific ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactants), which fundamentally improves the molded article's resistance properties while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite emulsifying system combining specific anionic surfactants (e.g., alkyl sulfate, alkyl sulfonate) with non-ionic surfactants (e.g., polyethylene glycol alkyl ether) in controlled ratios, creating a synergistic effect that enhances both processing ease and final product performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If organic solvents are used to dissolve macromolecular elastic material for aqueous dispersion, then the material can be processed, but significant environmental load is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidenvironmental load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates organic solvents from the processing system, replacing them entirely with aqueous media and surfactant-based emulsification, thereby removing the harmful environmental factor while maintaining full processability through alternative mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces emulsifying agents (surfactants) as intermediary substances that mediate between the hydrophobic elastic material and hydrophilic aqueous medium, enabling dissolution and processing without requiring organic solvents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If thermal shear is applied to emulsify macromolecular elastic material at or above melting point, then aqueous dispersion can be achieved, but decomposition of the resin occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulsification efficiencyVSAvoidresin stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature thermal shear (≥melting point) to mild temperature processing below the melting point, combined with surfactant-mediated emulsification, achieving effective dispersion without resin decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If emulsifying agents are used at high concentrations to achieve stable aqueous dispersion, then dispersion stability improves, but adhesiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of emulsifying agents by precisely controlling the ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactants, achieving adequate dispersion stability at lower total concentrations that preserve adhesiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different types of surfactants (anionic and non-ionic) with complementary local functions: anionic surfactants provide primary emulsification while non-ionic surfactants enhance stability without interfering with adhesion, creating localized functional differentiation

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 method produces a molded article with improved adhesiveness and reduced bleeding of the non-ionic surface active agent, maintaining the desirable properties of the polyester-containing elastic material, including heat resistance, flexibility, and mechanical strength.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a non-ionic surface active agent at a specific ratio, which is emulsified within a temperature range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface active agent (surfactant) action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

emulsified within a temperature range between 40°C below and 100°C above the melting point of the material, resulting in a stable dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS10196489B2Aqueous dispersion of polyester-type elastic material, and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2019.02.05 SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEM CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides an aqueous dispersion of a polyester-containing elastic material, the aqueous dispersion comprising an aqueous medium, a non-ionic surface active agent and a polyester-containing elastic material, wherein the aqueous dispersion comprises 1 to 20 parts by mass of the non-ionic surface active agent relative to 100 parts by mass of the polyester-containing elastic material. The present invention also provides: a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a polyester-containing elastic material; a molded article produced from the aqueous dispersion; and a method for producing a molded article.