Polyolefin Tie-Layer Adhesive for Polyester Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tie-layer adhesive compositions for multi-layer structures, particularly for bonding polyesters to dissimilar substrates, face challenges in achieving good adhesion and high clarity while avoiding expensive additives and performance tradeoffs.

Innovation Solution

A polyolefin-based composition comprising a grafted polyolefin, linear low-density polyethylene, an elastomer, and a tackifier, optionally with additives, is used to create a tie-layer adhesive that promotes strong adhesion and clarity in multi-layer structures without relying on costly additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tie-layer adhesive compositions are used to bond polyesters to dissimilar substrates, then adhesion is achieved, but clarity is compromised and expensive additives are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidclarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of grafted polyolefin (providing adhesion through polar groups), linear low-density polyethylene (providing clarity and processability), and elastomer (providing flexibility and impact resistance). This composite approach allows the adhesive to simultaneously achieve both adhesion and clarity without requiring expensive additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If expensive additives are used to improve adhesion performance, then bonding strength is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polyolefin by grafting polar groups (such as carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, or amine groups) onto the polyolefin backbone. This modification inherently provides adhesion promotion without requiring expensive additional additives, thus improving adhesion performance while controlling manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs commonly available and economical materials - grafted polyolefin, linear low-density polyethylene, and elastomer - that can be readily sourced and processed using standard equipment. This approach replaces expensive specialized additives with cost-effective, readily available materials that achieve the desired performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If multiple components are combined to achieve both adhesion and clarity, then performance is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a multi-functional adhesive system where each component serves multiple purposes: the grafted polyolefin provides both adhesion promotion and compatibility with polyester substrates, the linear low-density polyethylene contributes to clarity, processability, and flexibility, and the elastomer adds impact resistance and processing benefits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized additives, simplifying the overall formulation despite the multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3099758B1Polyolefin-based compositions, adhesives, and related multi-layered structures prepared therefrom
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 EQUISTAR CHEMICALS LP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a polyolefin-based composition suitable for use as adhesives and/or tie-layer adhesive compositions as well as multi-layered structures made from and/ or containing the polyolefin-based composition. The polyolefin-based composition is made from and/or contains (a) a grafted polyolefin composition, (b) a linear low density polyethylene composition made from and/or containing metallocene-catalyzed linear low density polyethylene having a melt index from about 2 to about 10 grams per 10 minutes, (c) an elastomer composition made from and/or containing an polyethylene elastomer, (d) a hydrocarbon-based tackifier, and (e) optionally, an additives composition having one or more additives.