Aqueous Polymer Dispersion Durability via Swelling Agent Admixture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compositions with polymer dispersed in water and polyvalent metal cations often have low levels of polyvalent cations, limiting their durability and effectiveness in applications like floor polishes, despite methods to increase cation levels being inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an aqueous polymer dispersion with a monomer mix containing 5-50% carboxylic acid functional monomers, 1-10 parts by weight of a swelling agent, and polyvalent metal ions, where the ratio of polyvalent metal ions to carboxylic acid functional groups is increased from 0.25 or less to 0.4 or more through a specific admixture process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the level of polyvalent metal cation is increased to improve coating durability, then the durability and hardness of the composition are improved, but the composition becomes less stable and more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first forming a preliminary admixture containing the polymer dispersion and swelling agent before adding the polyvalent metal cation. This sequential approach allows the polymer-swelling agent complex to form first, creating a stable intermediate structure that can then accommodate the metal cation without causing premature instability or difficulty in manufacturing.
2Reliability
If a higher ratio of polyvalent metal ions to carboxylic acid functional groups is used to enhance durability, then the coating properties are improved, but the composition becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The swelling agent acts as an intermediary between the polymer and the polyvalent metal cation. It forms a complex with the polymer first, creating a stable intermediate structure that can then bind the metal cation at higher ratios without causing composition instability. This intermediary role allows the system to achieve high durability while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used to increase polyvalent metal cation levels, then the coating durability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single manufacturing step. By combining the polymer dispersion, swelling agent, and polyvalent metal cation in a controlled sequential process, the method achieves high metal cation incorporation without requiring separate complex processing steps, thus improving durability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple and efficient.
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 enhances the durability and effectiveness of the compositions by maintaining a higher ratio of polyvalent metal ions to carboxylic acid functional groups, improving properties such as hardness and durability in coatings like floor polishes.
Implementation Method 1
a process of forming a preliminary admixture of the dispersion (a) with some or all of the swelling agent (b)
Implementation Method 2
the ratio of equivalents of polyvalent metal ions in the composition to equivalents of carboxylic acid functional groups in the composition is 0.4 or more
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a composition comprising(a) at least one aqueous polymer dispersion, wherein said polymer is formed from a monomer mix comprising one or more carboxylic acid functional monomers;(b) at least one swelling agent; and(c) at least one polyvalent metal ion;wherein said composition is formed by a process comprising the step of forming a preliminary admixture of said dispersion (a) with some or all of said swelling agent (b), wherein the ratio of equivalents of polyvalent metal ions in said preliminary admixture to equivalents of carboxylic acid functional groups in said preliminary admixture is 0.25 or less.