Polythioether Coatings with Core-Shell Particles for Low-Temperature Elasticity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Barrier coatings used in applications like tires and sporting equipment are brittle at low temperatures, compromising their elasticity and gas barrier performance.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition incorporating core-shell particles with a polymeric core encapsulated by a shell containing aromatic groups, urethane linkages, and elastomeric segments, along with a polythioether polymer and an adhesion promoter, to enhance both elasticity and gas barrier properties across a wide temperature range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If barrier coatings are applied to reduce permeation of vapor, gas, and chemicals, then gas barrier performance is improved, but elasticity at low temperatures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas barrier performanceVSAvoidelasticity at low temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite coating system comprising a polyurethane polymer matrix combined with polythioether polymer and core-shell particles. The polyurethane provides gas barrier properties through aromatic groups and urethane/urea linkages, while the polythioether and core-shell particles contribute elastomeric segments that maintain flexibility at low temperatures. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of barrier performance and low-temperature elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating composition incorporates distinct functional components with specialized properties: the polyurethane polymer provides barrier functionality in specific regions, while polythioether and core-shell particles provide elastomeric properties in other regions. This local differentiation of material properties allows the coating to exhibit both gas barrier performance and low-temperature flexibility without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If barrier coatings are made with aromatic groups and urethane linkages, then gas barrier performance is improved, but brittleness increases at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas barrier performanceVSAvoidlow temperature flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gas barrier-providing polyurethane polymer with elastomeric polythioether polymer and core-shell particles containing elastomeric segments. This combination integrates the rigid aromatic barrier structure with flexible elastomeric components, allowing the coating to maintain both gas barrier performance and low-temperature flexibility through synergistic interaction of the combined materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the coating composition by incorporating polythioether polymer and core-shell particles with specific elastomeric segments, changing the physical and chemical parameters of the coating system. These parameter changes include introducing sulfur-containing polythioether linkages and elastomeric core-shell structures that lower the glass transition temperature and maintain chain flexibility at low temperatures while preserving the aromatic barrier structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3744746B1Coating compositions containing polythioethers and elastic barrier coatings formed therefrom
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO INC

AI summary

A coating composition that includes: (a) core-shell particles having a polymeric core at least partially encapsulated by a polymeric shell; (b) a polythioether having thioether linkages and mercapto functional groups; and (c) an adhesion promoter having at least one polymer that is different from (a) and (b). The polymeric shell of (a) includes: (i) a barrier segment including aromatic groups; and urethane linkages, urea linkages, or a combination thereof; and (ii) an elastomeric segment that is different from (i), in which the polymeric shell is covalently bonded to at least a portion of the polymeric core.