Polyether Synergist Accelerates Polysulfide Sealant Cure Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polysulfide sealants with porous materials like silica face a challenge in achieving a rapid cure rate while maintaining acceptable physical properties, as the addition of fillers can slow down the curing process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polyether synergist into polysulfide compositions, which include a polysulfide prepolymer, cure activator, and cure accelerator, to enhance the cure rate without degrading the performance attributes, with the polyether present in amounts ranging from 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% of the total composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large amounts of filler including porous material are added to polysulfide compositions to achieve acceptable physical properties, then tensile strength and elongation are improved, but the cure rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the composition by introducing a polyether synergist that specifically accelerates the cure reaction. This allows the system to achieve rapid curing even in the presence of porous fillers like silica, which normally slow down the cure rate. The polyether synergist modifies the reaction kinetics to overcome the retarding effect of the filler material.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyether synergist acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the cure reaction between the polysulfide prepolymer and cure activator. It mediates the interaction between the reactive components, enabling the cure process to proceed rapidly despite the presence of porous filler materials that would otherwise interfere with the reaction.
2Speed
If silica content is reduced to improve cure rate, then the cure rate increases, but the physical properties enhancement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by adding a polyether synergist that specifically targets and accelerates the cure reaction. This allows the formulation to maintain optimal silica content for physical property enhancement while achieving rapid cure rates through the synergistic effect of the polyether additive on the curing chemistry.
3Strength
If porous material such as silica is added to enhance physical properties, then tensile strength and elongation are improved, but the cure rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polyether synergist that changes the chemical reaction parameters, specifically accelerating the cure kinetics. This allows the composition to maintain high elongation properties provided by silica filler while achieving rapid cure rates through the enhanced reaction chemistry facilitated by the polyether synergist.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyether synergist serves as an intermediary that promotes the cure reaction between polysulfide components, enabling the system to overcome the retarding effect of porous silica filler and achieve both high elongation and rapid curing.
Data Source
AI summary
Polysulfide compositions having a polyether synergist are disclosed. Polysulfide compositions that contain polyether synergists exhibit a rapid onset of cure and have acceptable final properties. The polysulfide compositions can be used as sealants.