Polyimide Prepolymer Solubilization via Amine Additive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyetherimides, due to their high viscosity and glass transition temperature, pose challenges in manufacturing processes such as composite production and coating applications, often requiring high temperatures and organic solvents, which are costly and environmentally problematic.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a polyimide-forming composition comprising a polyimide prepolymer, an amine, and a C1-6 alcohol solvent, where the amine is added to solubilize the polyimide prepolymer in water or alcohol, allowing for solvent-free imidization and formation of high molecular weight polyimides without chain terminating agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyetherimides are used in manufacturing processes, then high strength and heat resistance are achieved, but high viscosity and high Tg hinder the manufacture of composites and coatings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and heat resistanceVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polyimide by introducing flexible spacer groups between rigid aromatic rings. This structural modification reduces the glass transition temperature and viscosity while maintaining the high strength and heat resistance properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite polyimide structures by combining rigid aromatic diamine units (providing strength and heat resistance) with flexible aliphatic spacer units (reducing viscosity and Tg). This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve high performance and ease of processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If high temperatures are used to form intricate parts or highly conformal coatings, then manufacturing precision is improved, but compatibility with other components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintricacy and conformalityVSAvoidcompatibility with other components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal parameters of the polyimide system by incorporating flexible spacer groups, which lowers the processing temperature range. This allows intricate parts and conformal coatings to be formed at reduced temperatures that are compatible with heat-sensitive components, while still achieving the required manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If polymer solutions containing organic solvents are used to manufacture composites and coatings, then ease of manufacture is improved, but removal and recycling costs and residual solvent issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsolvent removal and recycling costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates organic solvents from the polyimide manufacturing system by developing solvent-free processing methods. The flexible spacer-containing polyimides can be processed directly from monomers or prepolymers without requiring organic solvent carriers, thereby eliminating solvent removal and recycling costs while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and environmentally problematic organic solvents with inexpensive, environmentally benign alternatives such as water or supercritical carbon dioxide. This substitution eliminates the need for costly solvent recovery systems while maintaining processing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method enables the production of thin layers and composites without organic solvents, improving process efficiency and environmental sustainability while maintaining high molecular weight and thermal properties.

Implementation Method 1

heating a substituted or unsubstituted C4-40 bisanhydride in a C1-6 alcohol to dissolve the bisanhydride

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

adding the amine in an amount effective to solubilize the polyimide prepolymer in the C1-6 alcohol, in a solution of the C1-6 alcohol and deionized water, or in deionized water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

heating the preform at a temperature and for a period of time effective to imidize the polyimide prepolymer and form the polyimide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10266653B2Polyimide-forming compositions, methods of manufacture, and articles prepared therefrom

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 SHPP GLOBAL TECH BV

AI summary

A polyimide-forming composition includes a polyimide prepolymer, an amine, and a solvent comprising a C1-6 alcohol. A method of manufacturing the polyimide-forming composition is disclosed. The method includes heating a substituted or unsubstituted C4-40 bisanhydride in a C1-6 alcohol to dissolve the bisanhydride, adding a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C1-20 diamine to form a polyimide prepolymer, and adding the amine in an amount effective to solubilize the polyimide prepolymer in the C1-6 alcohol, in a solution of the C1-6 alcohol and deionized water, or in deionized water. A method of manufacturing an article including a polyimide is also disclosed.