Biaxially Stretched Polypropylene Film Surface Roughness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biaxially stretched polypropylene films used in capacitors face challenges with insufficient roughness density and uniformity, leading to impaired withstand voltage characteristics and preservability, especially at high electrical potential gradients, and existing methods for surface roughening result in low roughness density or coarse projections, affecting capacitor reliability and recyclability.

Innovation Solution

A biaxially stretched polypropylene film with specific surface roughness parameters, including ten-point average roughness and projection height ranges, is developed to enhance withstand voltage characteristics and processability, incorporating a branched polypropylene content for improved crystal modification and melt crystallization temperature, ensuring uniform projections and compact surface morphology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If mechanical methods (embossing, sandblasting) or chemical methods (solvent etching) are used to roughen the film surface, then the surface roughness is improved, but the roughness density becomes low resulting in insufficient impregnation property

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface roughnessVSAvoidimpregnation property
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polypropylene resin by controlling the stereoregular fraction (10-85%) and using specific crystallization conditions to achieve optimal surface roughness density without mechanical or chemical treatment, resolving the contradiction between surface roughness and impregnation property

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical roughening methods (embossing, sandblasting) and chemical etching with a controlled crystallization process that naturally forms surface projections during film formation, achieving high roughness density without mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If the film is made thinner to reduce capacitor size, then the capacitance density is improved, but the withstand voltage characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor sizeVSAvoidwithstand voltage characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the film by precisely controlling the stereoregular fraction (10-85%) and crystallization temperature to optimize the balance between film thickness and withstand voltage characteristics, enabling thinner films to maintain high breakdown voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates local quality differences within the film structure through controlled crystallization, forming surface projections that enhance electrical breakdown resistance locally, allowing the overall film to be thinner while maintaining high withstand voltage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If high melt strength polypropylene resin is used to improve surface roughness, then the projection formation is improved, but the heat resistance and withstand voltage characteristics are lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection formationVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by precisely controlling the stereoregular fraction (10-85%) rather than using high melt strength resins, achieving projection formation through controlled crystallization while maintaining the heat resistance and electrical properties of standard polypropylene

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite-like structure within the polypropylene film through controlled crystallization, forming a dual-phase structure with surface projections and bulk material that maintains both mechanical properties and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Shape

If a different polymer such as polyethylene is blended to roughen the surface, then the surface morphology is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface morphologyVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains homogeneity by using only polypropylene resin with controlled stereoregular fraction, avoiding blending with different polymers, thus preserving recyclability while achieving the desired surface morphology through controlled crystallization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 film exhibits excellent withstand voltage characteristics, preservability, and processability, particularly for AC capacitors, with improved dielectric breakdown resistance and self-healing properties, maintaining capacitor lifespan and electrical insulation under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a method of stretching a sheet in which β-crystals are formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a branched polypropylene content for improved crystal modification and melt crystallization temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelt crystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS9991052B2Biaxially stretched polypropylene film for capacitor, metallized film, and film capacitor
Publication Date: 2018.06.05 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

Provided is a biaxially stretched polypropylene film for capacitors which has high withstand voltage characteristics when used as a dielectric for capacitors and which has highly suitable processability into elements. The biaxially stretched polypropylene film for capacitors has projections on both surfaces and has a thickness (t1, μm) of 4-20 μm. When one of the surfaces is expressed by surface A and the other by surface B, all of the following relationships are satisfied. 800≤SRzB≤1,300 (nm) 0.1≤SRzA/SRzB≤0.8 PBmin≥100 (nm) PBmax≤1,500 (nm) 0.4≤PB450-750/PB≤0.7.