Polysiloxane Hardener Mixture for Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hardener compositions for room temperature-curing coatings often suffer from phase separation during storage, leading to inhomogeneity and reduced storage stability, which complicates their use and application.

Innovation Solution

A hardener mixture comprising 10-60% polysiloxane, 40-90% amino-functional alkoxysilane, and 1-10% guanidine compound, which remains homogeneous during storage and prevents skin formation when exposed to atmospheric moisture, allowing for the use of leftover mixtures even after the container has been opened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hardener compositions contain silicone polymers as extenders, then rheological stabilization is achieved, but phase separation occurs during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polysiloxane component by introducing specific functional groups (vinyl, trimethylsilyl, or hydroxyl) and controlling the molecular weight and alkoxy content. This parameter optimization improves compatibility with amino-functional alkoxysilane, preventing phase separation while maintaining rheological stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite hardener composition by combining specifically selected polysiloxane components with amino-functional alkoxysilane and catalyst. This composite approach ensures mutual compatibility between components, achieving both rheological stability and storage stability without phase separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If amino-functional alkoxysilanes are used as crosslinkers, then adhesion and crosslinking properties are improved, but moisture absorption occurs affecting storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosslinking reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specifically selected polysiloxane component as an intermediary substance that modifies the interaction between amino-functional alkoxysilane and atmospheric moisture. This polysiloxane acts as a buffer, controlling the hydrolysis rate and preventing excessive moisture absorption during storage while maintaining crosslinking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the alkoxy content and molecular weight of the polysiloxane to control the overall moisture sensitivity of the hardener composition. By adjusting these parameters, the composition maintains sufficient reactivity for crosslinking while reducing unwanted moisture absorption during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If hardener compositions are formulated with high concentrations of crosslinkers and adhesion promoters, then curing performance is improved, but phase separation is exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring efficiencyVSAvoidhomogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratios and molecular characteristics of all components to achieve high curing efficiency while maintaining homogeneity. Specifically, it selects polysiloxane with appropriate viscosity and functional group content that is compatible with high concentrations of amino-functional alkoxysilane, preventing phase separation even at elevated crosslinker levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a multi-component composite system where polysiloxane, amino-functional alkoxysilane, and catalyst work synergistically. This composite formulation allows high concentrations of reactive components to be used together without causing phase separation, as the polysiloxane matrix provides compatibility and stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 hardener mixture maintains stability and prevents phase separation, ensuring consistent performance and extended storage life without the need for additional chemical reactions, allowing for efficient curing and application of coatings.

Implementation Method 1

In the presence of atmospheric moisture or through the addition of water, the alkoxy substituents of the trialkoxysilane are first hydrolyzed, forming the corresponding silanols

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

These silanol groups can then react with hydroxyl groups on the surface of the material to be modified, releasing water, and crosslink via further silanol groups to form siloxane units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

Catalysts are often used to accelerate such crosslinking reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3816247B1Curing mixture
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP3816247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hardener mixture for room temperature curing coatings comprising (A) 10-60 wt.%, preferably 20-60 wt.%, particularly preferably 30-50 wt.% of a polysiloxane, (B) 40-90 wt.%, preferably 40-80 wt.%, particularly preferably 40-70 wt.% of an amino-functional alkoxysilane and (C) 1-10 wt.%, preferably 2-7 wt.%, particularly preferably 3-5 wt.% of a guanidine compound, wherein the quantities of components (A), (B) and (C) add up to 100 wt.% and refer to the hardener mixture.