Process for bonding a textile material to an elastomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for adhering textile materials to elastomers, such as those used in conveyor belts and tires, are energy-intensive and pose health risks due to the use of resorcinol-formaldehyde latex, which contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
Innovation Solution
A process involving pretreatment of textile materials with a polyester of an α-β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, followed by contact with unvulcanized elastomers and subsequent vulcanization, eliminating the need for resorcinol-formaldehyde latex and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If resorcinol-formaldehyde latex (RFL) is used for bonding textile material to elastomer, then adhesion strength is improved, but harmful factors increase due to formaldehyde content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful formaldehyde component from the bonding system by replacing RFL with a polyester-based adhesive system that achieves equivalent adhesion without carcinogenic formaldehyde, directly addressing the harmful factors while maintaining bond strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adhesive system by substituting the resinous RFL chemistry with polyester chemistry, altering the fundamental composition to eliminate formaldehyde while maintaining or improving adhesion performance through different chemical mechanisms
2Strength
If RFL bonding process is used, then adhesion is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to high temperature baking requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal processing parameters by replacing the high-temperature curing requirement of RFL with a low-temperature or room temperature bonding process using polyester adhesive, dramatically reducing energy consumption while achieving equivalent or superior adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the thermal curing mechanism of RFL with a chemical bonding mechanism based on polyester adhesion that operates at lower temperatures, replacing the energy-intensive thermal field with a chemically-driven bonding process
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional RFL process is used, then bonding is achieved, but the process becomes complex and hazardous due to formaldehyde handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hazardous formaldehyde handling requirements from the manufacturing process by using a polyester-based adhesive system that eliminates the need for special safety protocols, ventilation requirements, and waste treatment procedures associated with formaldehyde
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a polyester adhesive system that is safer, easier to handle, and requires less complex infrastructure compared to RFL, effectively replacing a hazardous long-term chemical system with a safer alternative that simplifies manufacturing operations
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
This process enhances adhesion between elastomers and textiles while avoiding the use of formaldehyde, improving adhesion strength and reducing environmental and health hazards, although it does not match the adhesion of traditional RFL systems.
Implementation Method 1
pretreating the textile material with at least one polyester of an α-β-unsaturated carboxylic acid
Implementation Method 2
vulcanizing the product obtained
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for adhering a textile material to an elastomer, the process comprising the steps of pretreating the textile material with at least one polyester of an α-β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, contacting the pretreated textile material with an unvulcanized elastomer, and vulcanizing the product obtained. The present invention additionally encompasses an elastomer article obtainable by this process and also the use of a polyester of an α-β-unsaturated carboxylic acid for improving the adhesion of a textile material to an elastomer.