Polymer Molded Body Weathering Resistance via Low-Temp Polymerization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymer materials used outdoors, such as coatings and solar power module top covers, face issues with weathering resistance degradation over time due to the migration or volatilization of hindered amine light stabilizers with a piperidine skeleton, leading to decreased effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a non-colored polymer molded body through polymerization of a monomer mixture containing a polymerizable NOR-HALS at a temperature of 210° C. or lower, with a specific monomer composition and polymerization process that maintains the stabilizer's effectiveness and prevents coloration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a copolymer of polymerizable NOR-HALS is used as a molded body, then weathering resistance is improved, but heating during molding causes dissociation of R connected to nitroxide and coloration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweathering resistanceVSAvoidcoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polymerization temperature parameter to 210°C or lower, which prevents dissociation of the R group connected to nitroxide while still enabling effective polymerization. This temperature control resolves the contradiction by maintaining the stabilizer's effectiveness without causing coloration during molding processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If NOR-HALS is added to coating material, then weathering resistance is improved, but NOR-HALS migrates or volatilizes over time and effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweathering resistanceVSAvoideffectiveness duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NOR-HALS stabilizer with the polymer matrix through copolymerization, creating a unified structure where the stabilizer becomes an integral part of the polymer chain. This prevents migration and volatilization while maintaining long-term weathering resistance effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where polymerizable NOR-HALS is incorporated into the polymer structure alongside methyl methacrylate units. This composite approach ensures the stabilizer remains fixed within the matrix while providing sustained weathering protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If polymerization is carried out at high temperature to improve processing efficiency, then productivity increases, but dissociation of R connected to nitroxide occurs and coloration results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolding processing efficiencyVSAvoidcoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the polymerization temperature parameter to 210°C or lower, finding the optimal balance between processing efficiency and preventing coloration. This temperature setting enables adequate polymerization while avoiding dissociation of the nitroxide R group.

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 method results in a polymer molded body with excellent weathering resistance that does not degrade over time, suitable for outdoor applications like solar power module top covers, maintaining power generation efficiency and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a polymerization of a monomer mixture at a temperature of 210° C. or lower, wherein the monomer mixture comprises 0.01 to 35 mol % of monomer (a1) represented by the following general formula (1) and 65 to 99.99 mol % of monomer (a2) whose main component is methyl methacrylate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8912287B2Method for producing polymer using monomer having piperidine skeleton, and molded body

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for producing a polymer by a polymerization of a mixture at a temperature of 210° C. or lower, wherein the mixture comprises 0.01 to 35 mol % of a monomer or a polymer thereof which has a piperidine skeleton represented by formula (1), and a molded body thereof.R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X represents an oxygen atom, an imino group, or a specific oxygen atom containing a hydrocarbon group, and R2 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group with C1 to C8, a branched alkyl group with C1 to C8, an alicyclic hydrocarbon with C6 to C8, or an aryl group, wherein R2 and R3 may also form a cyclic structure.