Radiation-Curable Polyurethane Acrylates Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation-curable water-dispersible urethane (meth)acrylates face issues with stability and pigmentation properties over time, and the use of certain amines can lead to yellowing and reduced hydrophilicity, limiting their commercial viability and performance in coating compositions.
Innovation Solution
Development of radiation-curable water-dispersible urethane (meth)acrylates comprising specific components such as cycloaliphatic di- and polyisocyanates, polyester diols, and isocyanate-reactive compounds with partial neutralization by alkali metal bases, which enhance storage stability and pigmentation properties without yellowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If amines are used for neutralization or to increase molar mass in known water-dispersible urethane acrylates, then the target molecular mass is achieved and dispersibility is improved, but yellowing of the coating compositions occurs and hydrophilicity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes amines from the system by using alternative neutralizing agents (alkali metal hydroxides, oxides, carbonates, or hydrogencarbonates) to neutralize carboxylate groups. This elimination of the harmful amine component resolves the yellowing issue while maintaining the necessary neutralization function and molecular mass characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters by substituting amine-based neutralization with alkali metal-based neutralization. This parameter change transforms the system from amine-containing to amine-free, thereby eliminating yellowing while preserving dispersibility and stability through the formation of carboxylate salts with alkali metal cations.
2Productivity
If polyurethane (meth)acrylates are formulated with conventional components, then coating composition performance is achieved, but properties change after prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-neutralizing carboxylate groups with alkali metals during the polyurethane formation process, creating stable carboxylate salts before the coating application. This preliminary neutralization prevents subsequent degradation and property changes during storage, ensuring both initial performance and long-term stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining polyurethane backbone with carboxylate-alkali metal salt side groups. This composite structure integrates the desirable properties of polyurethane (adhesion, flexibility) with the stabilizing effect of ionic carboxylate groups, achieving both performance and storage stability.
3Ease of operation
If ionic sites with alkali metal cations are used to provide hydrophilicity, then water dispersibility is improved, but the system requires amine presence which causes yellowing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts amines from the system while retaining alkali metal cations. By using only alkali metals (Na+, K+, Li+) for neutralization without amine components, the system maintains water dispersibility through ionic carboxylate sites while eliminating the yellowing caused by amine presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying alkali metal bases as the sole neutralizing agents, excluding amines entirely. This parameter change maintains the ionic character necessary for water dispersibility while removing the harmful yellowing effect, achieving a cleaner chemical profile.
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 solution provides urethane (meth)acrylates with improved storage stability and excellent pigmentation properties, suitable for use in coating compositions and printing inks, while avoiding the yellowing issues associated with amine use.
Implementation Method 1
radiation-curable water-dispersible urethane (meth)acrylates
Implementation Method 2
at least one base of an alkali metal for at least partial neutralization of the acid groups of component (d)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to radiation-curable, water-dispersible polyurethane (meth)acrylates, to coating compositions comprising the latter, to the use thereof and to the process for production thereof.