Polymer Particle Thickener for Lump-Free Uniform Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymer particles with varying particle sizes exhibit uneven solubility and viscosity, leading to non-uniform composition and the formation of unmixed lumps, which affect the applicability and appearance of compositions such as cosmetics and adhesives.
Innovation Solution
Polymer particles with a prescribed difference in molecular weight and particle size distribution, characterized by specific formulas, are designed to dissolve gradually in a dissolving medium, preventing the formation of unmixed lumps and ensuring uniform viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If polymer particles with narrow particle size distribution are used to make solubility and thickening effect uniform, then solubility uniformity is improved, but polymer particles dissolve all at once causing rapid viscosity increase and unmixed lump formation
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer particles are segmented into multiple particle size ranges (first, second, and third ranges with different cumulative number percentages). This segmentation creates a gradual dissolution pattern where smaller particles dissolve first, followed by progressively larger particles, preventing simultaneous dissolution and unmixed lump formation while maintaining composition uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the particle size distribution parameters by specifying cumulative number percentages for different particle size ranges. By controlling the distribution such that smaller particles constitute higher percentages and larger particles constitute lower percentages, the dissolution rate is modulated to achieve uniform solubility without rapid viscosity increase.
2Strength
If polymer particles are dissolved in dissolving medium, then thickening effect is achieved, but viscosity becomes uneven with low viscosity portion or high viscosity portion partially generated
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer particles are divided into multiple size segments that dissolve at different rates. This segmentation ensures that the thickening effect is achieved gradually and uniformly throughout the composition, preventing localized high or low viscosity portions while maintaining overall viscosity uniformity.
3Speed
If polymer particles with wide particle size distribution are used, then dissolution rate varies, but difference in molecular weight increases causing non-uniform solubility and thickening effect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully controls the molecular weight parameter across different particle size ranges. By specifying that the weight average molecular weight decreases with increasing particle diameter in a controlled manner (within specific ratios), the dissolution rate varies sufficiently to prevent lump formation while maintaining uniform solubility and thickening effect.
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 polymer particles achieve stable and uniform thickening by dissolving gradually, maintaining consistent viscosity without lump formation, enhancing the applicability and appearance of compositions.
Implementation Method 1
Polymer particles can exhibit a thickening effect by being dissolved in a dissolving medium
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity is adjusted by using a thickener according to an intended application
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides polymer particles capable of being dissolved in a dissolving medium without generating an unmixed lump and capable of uniformly improving the viscosity of a composition, and a thickener using the polymer particles. The polymer particles of the present invention have a number average particle diameter of 1 to 50 μm and a coefficient of variation in a number-based particle size distribution of 30% or more, wherein where the weight average molecular weight of the whole polymer particles is defined as A, the weight average molecular weight of small particles having a cumulative number percentage of 5% or less counted from the smaller diameter side in the number-based particle size distribution of the polymer particles is defined as B, and the weight average molecular weight of large particles having a particle diameter of 5 times or more the number average particle diameter of the polymer particles is defined as C, polymer particles satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2).0.90≤(B/A)<1.0 Formula (1)(C/B)<1.25 Formula (2)