Polyether Amide Rheology Additives for Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyamide additives require preactivation through high-speed shearing and heating, and have compatibility issues with certain binders and plasticizers, making them difficult to use in reactive formulations and resulting in products with surface defects.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel polyfunctional fatty amides based on primary polyamines with polyether segments and hydroxylated fatty acids, which can be used as rheology additives without preactivation, offering improved compatibility and aesthetic appearance in coatings and mastic seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polyamide additives are used, then rheological performance can be achieved, but preactivation through high-speed shearing and heating is required, increasing process complexity and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverheological performanceVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polyamide molecules are pre-synthesized with specific structural features (hydroxyl groups at positions 9, 10, or 12 of the carbon chain) that enable immediate gelation upon contact with the plasticizer, eliminating the need for subsequent high-speed shearing and heating activation steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The activation step (high-speed shearing and heating) is extracted and removed from the formulation process entirely, as the novel polyamide structure enables direct incorporation into the final product without preactivation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional polyamide additives are used, then rheological thickening is achieved, but compatibility issues with certain binders and plasticizers occur, leading to surface defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverheological thickeningVSAvoidsurface defects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical structure parameters of the polyamide are changed by introducing hydroxyl groups at specific positions (9, 10, or 12) in the carbon chain, which modifies the molecular polarity and interaction characteristics, thereby improving compatibility with various binders and plasticizers while maintaining rheological thickening capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The polyamide is designed as a composite molecular structure combining polyether segments with hydroxylated fatty acid chains, creating a material that exhibits both gel-forming capability and broad compatibility with different formulation components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If polyamide powders are used, then storage stability is maintained, but micronization and preactivation are required, increasing manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The polyamide is pre-synthesized with the exact molecular structure required for immediate gelation, and pre-formed as ready-to-use flakes or granules that require no further processing, eliminating both micronization and preactivation steps from the manufacturing workflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 new polyamide additives simplify the shaping process, enhance compatibility with reactive formulations, and produce transparent, defect-free coatings and mastic seals with improved rheological performance.

Implementation Method 1

based on primary polyamines (di- and triamines) comprising at least one polyether segment in its structure and in particular based on polyoxypropylene and based on fatty acids comprising at least one hydroxylated fatty acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

makes it possible to meet the new requirements defined above... shaped in the form of flakes readily soluble in the plasticizers or binders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 3

broadening the spectrum of compatibility with the reactive binders and plasticizers/diluents used in reactive formulations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS20200354545A1Rheology additives based on di-or tri-amides and mixtures thereof
Publication Date: 2020.11.12 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a fatty amide which is a di- or triamide based on a polyether diamine or triamine which can be used as organogelator and in particular as rheology additive. The invention also relates to a formulation composition using said fatty amide as rheology additive and to its use with this aim in coating, adhesive or PVC plastisol compositions and in particular transparent or non-transparent mastic compositions. said rheology additive has the advantage of not needing a specific activation process before use, in contrast to the other known fatty amide additives based on hydrogenated castor oil derivatives.