Curable Polymer Composition for Wash-Off Resistance Without Precuring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional curable and pumpable adhesives fail to provide adequate wash-off resistance and are not pumpable at low temperatures, requiring additional precuring steps that increase energy consumption and time, and struggle with adhesion on oily or contaminated surfaces without heating, especially when applied without a counter substrate.

Innovation Solution

A curable polymer composition combining specific ethylene polymers, tackifier, and rheology modifier, allowing extrusion at moderate temperatures and maintaining wash-off resistance even without a counter substrate, eliminating the need for precuring and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a precuring step is implemented to improve wash-off resistance, then wash-off resistance is improved, but manufacturing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewash-off resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by incorporating specific rheology modifiers (poly siloxane, poly silicone oxide, or poly silicon oxide) and controlling the molecular weight and composition ratios of ethylene polymers. This allows the adhesive to achieve adequate wash-off resistance through composition optimization rather than requiring a separate precuring step, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a precuring step is implemented to improve wash-off resistance, then wash-off resistance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewash-off resistanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition by adding specific rheology modifiers and optimizing polymer ratios, enabling the adhesive to achieve wash-off resistance through compositional changes rather than thermal precuring. This eliminates the need for additional heating steps, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the required wash-off resistance performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adhesive is applied without a counter substrate, then application flexibility is improved, but wash-off resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication flexibilityVSAvoidwash-off resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining multiple ethylene polymers with specific rheology modifiers (poly siloxane, poly silicone oxide, or poly silicon oxide). This composite formulation provides sufficient wash-off resistance even when applied without a counter substrate, as the rheology modifiers create a cohesive structure that prevents wash-off independently of substrate support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If the adhesive is applied to oily or contaminated surfaces without heating, then ease of operation is improved, but adhesion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the adhesive composition by incorporating specific rheology modifiers and optimizing polymer ratios, which enables the adhesive to maintain adequate adhesion to oily or contaminated surfaces without requiring thermal treatment. The chemical composition allows the adhesive to bond effectively under cold conditions, eliminating the need for heating steps while maintaining bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves improved wash-off resistance, adhesion to oily surfaces, and efficient application without precuring, reducing energy use and tooling costs, while providing excellent adhesion and expansion capabilities for automotive applications.

Implementation Method 1

The composition preferably comprises one or more ethylene polymers, tackifier, curing agent, and rheology modifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Implementation Method 2

In a fourth step, the thus treated and coated vehicle body with the mechanically fastened or welded substrates is subjected to high temperatures in a bake oven which induce curing of the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The invention also relates to extrusion of the composition onto an article surface, e.g. through a robotically mounted extrusion die

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 4

the vehicle body with the mechanically fastened or welded substrates is subjected to high temperatures in a bake oven which induce curing of the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260049209A1Curable Polymer Composition Having Improved Wash-Off Resistance
Publication Date: 2026.02.19 ZEPHYROS INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a curable and preferably polymer composition that is useful as a sealant, an adhesive (e.g., structural adhesive), a reinforcement, a dampener, a sound absorber or any combination thereof. The composition preferably comprises one or more ethylene polymers, tackifier, curing agent, and rheology modifier. The invention also relates to extrusion of the composition onto an article surface, e.g. through a robotically mounted extrusion die, and subsequent activation for curing by an external stimulus.