Polyether Epoxy Urethane Emulsifier for Waterborne Resin Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterborne epoxy resin compositions using external emulsifiers have poor stability and freeze-thaw resistance, limiting their application in coatings and paints.
Innovation Solution
A polyether compound with an epoxy hydroxyl urethane group is used as an emulsifier, mixed with an epoxy resin and water, and optionally a solvent, to form a stable waterborne epoxy resin composition with improved stability and freeze-thaw resistance, achieved through specific reaction conditions and HLB value optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an external emulsifier is used to make epoxy resin waterborne, then the emulsification process is easy to operate and low cost, but the resulting product has poor stability and freeze-thaw resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polyether compound with epoxy hydroxyl urethane groups as an intermediary substance that reacts with epoxy resin to form a waterborne emulsion. This compound acts as a bridge between the hydrophobic epoxy resin and hydrophilic water, enabling stable emulsification without requiring separate external emulsifiers, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and product stability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of epoxy resin by introducing polyether chains with specific HLB values (8-18) through reaction with polyether amines. This parameter change in molecular structure enables the epoxy resin to form stable waterborne emulsions with improved freeze-thaw resistance while maintaining ease of processing
2Ease of manufacture
If an external emulsifier is used to emulsify epoxy resin, then the method requires low costs, but the dispersion phase size is relatively large and film fouling properties are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the epoxy resin and emulsifier into a single molecular structure by reacting epoxy resin with polyether amines to form polyether compounds with epoxy hydroxyl urethane groups. This combined structure eliminates the need for separate external emulsifiers, reduces dispersion phase size, improves film fouling properties, and maintains cost-effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If epoxy resin is made waterborne by introducing hydrophilic molecular chains, then the resin can be dispersed in water, but the stability and freeze-thaw resistance remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite molecular structure by combining epoxy resin with polyether chains containing hydroxyl and urethane groups. This composite structure provides both water dispersibility through hydrophilic chains and improved stability/freezing-thaw resistance through the specific polyether amine architecture with controlled HLB values and molecular weight
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 resulting waterborne epoxy resin composition exhibits enhanced stability and freeze-thaw resistance, making it suitable for various applications including paints and coatings, with improved adhesion and durability properties.
Implementation Method 1
A waterborne epoxy resin (WER) is a stable dispersion system wherein the continuous phase is water and the dispersion phase is epoxy resin particles or droplets
Implementation Method 2
the method of using an external emulsifier for emulsification involves adding a proper emulsifier, and pulverizing and mixing the epoxy resin, water, and the emulsifier
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide polyether compounds having epoxy hydroxyl urethane group, as the following formula (I), (II) or (III) shows:and waterborne epoxy resin composition. Using the hydroxyl urethane as emulsifier, the obtained waterborne epoxy resin composition of the present invention has better stability and freeze-thaw resistance.