Polyhydroxyether Thermoplastic Fiber Stabilization in Composite Matrices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyhydroxyether's poor stability at elevated temperatures limits its use in melt spinning, and existing auxiliary threads in fiber composite materials cause kinking and incompatibility issues, leading to weakened structural parts.

Innovation Solution

A thermoplastic fiber material with an amorphous structure and reduced glass transition temperature, spun using a specialized melt spinning method, which dissolves in the matrix and forms cross-links, stabilizing reinforcement fibers and eliminating incompatibility issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyhydroxyether is used in melt spinning to produce thermoplastic fibers, then the fibers exhibit excellent adhesion to many materials, but the poor thermal stability of polyhydroxyether at elevated temperatures prevents successful melt spinning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure of polyhydroxyether by controlling the ratio of polyhydroxyether units to polyglycol units (specifically 95:5 to 5:95), adjusting molecular weight (10,000-80,000 Dalton), and controlling the glass transition temperature (at most 100°C) to achieve both processability and adhesion properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite fiber structure where polyhydroxyether is combined with polyglycol in specific ratios, producing a copolymer that maintains the adhesion benefits of polyhydroxyether while improving thermal stability and processability through the synergistic effect of both polymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If auxiliary threads are used to stabilize reinforcement fibers in fiber composite materials, then the reinforcement fibers can be fixed in position during manufacturing, but the auxiliary threads cause kinking at intersection points and incompatibility issues that weaken the structural part

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the auxiliary thread component entirely from the fiber composite structure. Instead of using separate polyester threads for stabilization, the reinforcement fibers are directly embedded in the matrix material, removing the source of kinking and incompatibility problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of auxiliary thread stabilization and matrix embedding into a single integrated process. The reinforcement fibers are stabilized through their direct integration with the matrix material, eliminating the need for separate stabilization components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables the production of composite materials with improved mechanical properties and adhesion between reinforcement fibers and matrix, eliminating kinking and incompatibility problems, and enhancing the structural integrity of fiber composite materials.

Implementation Method 1

the reinforcement fibers are stabilized, or fixed, to the auxiliary thread by embroidering, sewing or weaving techniques

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

it forms cross-links with the matrix material as it hardens into a homogeneous matrix

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

the melt-spinning method is preferably used to make synthetic fibers from polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelt spinning: Extrusion

Implementation Method 4

the extrusion temperature here must lie significantly above the softening temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal softening: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS8409486B2Method for making structural parts with reinforcement fiberes embedded in a matrix material using thermoplastic fibers containing polyhydroxyether
Publication Date: 2013.04.02 EMS CHEM AG

AI summary

The invention describes a new synthetic fiber material of polyhydroxyether, as well as a melt-spinning method for its production. The new material can be used, in particular, for stabilization of the reinforcement fibers of high-performance fiber composite materials before they are embedded in the matrix material. During this usage, the polyhydroxyether fiber material dissolves at a temperature above its glass transition temperature entirely in the matrix material, so that the reinforcement fibers can be arranged largely free of kinking. In addition, it forms cross-links with the matrix material to form a homogeneous matrix and thus does not constitute a disruptive third phase in the composite material. The compatibility of the matrix and reinforcement fiber is also improved. It was possible to improve the bending strength of test slabs by 12% as compared to that of reference slabs with polyester filament.