Polypropylene Oxide and Starch Ether Additives for Dry Mortar Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dry mortar compositions face challenges with poor adhesion to inorganic and organic substrates, particularly expanded polystyrene and mineral wool, and suffer from high costs and poor workability due to the use of current adhesion promoters like phosphate monoesters and aromatic polyethers.

Innovation Solution

A combination of polypropylene oxides or ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers with starch ether derivatives, such as carboxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl starch ethers, is used as an additive within water-redispersible polymer powders to enhance adhesion while maintaining workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If phosphate monoesters or diesters are used as adhesion promoters, then adhesion to substrates is improved, but cost increases and workability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive phosphate esters with a combination of cheaper, readily available materials: polypropylene oxide (or ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers) and starch ether derivatives. This substitution maintains adhesion functionality while reducing cost and improving workability, as the alternative additives are less costly and do not adversely affect mortar workability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite additive system combining polypropylene oxide (or ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers) with starch ether derivatives. This composite approach synergistically improves adhesion to both inorganic and organic substrates while maintaining good workability, overcoming the limitations of single-component additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If aromatic polyethers are used to improve adhesion to polystyrene, then adhesion is improved, but ecological concerns arise and workability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes aromatic polyethers with ecologically acceptable and more economical alternatives: polypropylene oxide (or ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers) combined with starch ether derivatives. This replacement eliminates ecological concerns associated with aromatic compounds while maintaining adhesion performance and improving workability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the additive system by replacing aromatic polyether structures with aliphatic polyoxide and starch ether combinations. This parameter change eliminates ecological concerns while preserving or enhancing adhesion properties and workability

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 additive combination significantly improves adhesion to inorganic and organic substrates like expanded polystyrene and mineral wool without compromising workability, as demonstrated by increased adhesive pull strengths and reduced EPS pull-out, even after storage in water.

Implementation Method 1

the additive combination significantly improves adhesion to inorganic and organic substrates like expanded polystyrene and mineral wool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

mortar compositions comprising mineral binders and water-redispersible polymer powders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2834205B1Use of polypropylene oxide or ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers in combination with starch ether derivatives as additive in dry mortar compositions
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

The use of an adhesion-promoting additive combination composed of one or more polyalkylenoxides out of the group comprising polypropylene oxides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, and of one or more starch ether derivatives out of the group comprising carboxyalkyl starch ethers and their alkali salts, and hydroxyalkyl starch ethers, in mortar compositions comprising mineral binders and water-redispersible polymer powders.