Two-Component Polyurethane Adhesive Formulation for Heat-Aged Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current two-component polyurethane adhesives lack sufficient elongation at break and fail to maintain adhesion properties after heat aging, especially when used to bond different materials in automotive applications.

Innovation Solution

A novel two-component polyurethane composition comprising a mixture of polyether and polyester polyols, a polyol with 2-4 hydroxyl groups, a polyamine, and catalysts like Sn-containing and Bi-containing catalysts, along with a NCO-terminated prepolymer, which provides a balance between flexibility, adhesion, and heat resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a polyol component containing oleochemical polyol and tri-, tetra- or penta-functional polyol is used, then the adhesive provides good bonding ability between different plastics and composites, but the elongation at break is not sufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding abilityVSAvoidelongation at break
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite polyol system combining polyether polyol and polyester polyol in specific proportions (0.5-2.0 wt% polyether, 0.5-2.0 wt% polyester). This composite approach leverages the flexibility and low-temperature performance of polyether polyol while maintaining the adhesion and mechanical strength of polyester polyol, achieving both high elongation at break and strong bonding ability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameters of the polyol components, specifically using polyether polyol with Mn of 300-3500 g/mol and polyester polyol with Mn of 300-3500 g/mol. This parameter optimization allows the adhesive to achieve sufficient elongation at break while maintaining strong bonding performance across different substrate materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the adhesive is designed for fast cure speed, then initial strength is improved, but adhesion properties deteriorate after heat aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecure speedVSAvoidadhesion after heat aging
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the NCO content of the polyisocyanate component within a specific range (8-15 wt%) and controls the molecular weight of polyether polyol (300-3500 g/mol) and polyester polyol (300-3500 g/mol). These parameter optimizations enable the adhesive to cure rapidly while maintaining excellent adhesion properties after heat aging, resolving the contradiction between fast cure speed and long-term reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite polyisocyanate system combining polyether polyol-based prepolymer and polyester polyol-based prepolymer. This composite approach balances the fast reactivity needed for quick curing with the thermal stability required for maintaining adhesion after heat aging, achieving both rapid initial strength gain and durable long-term performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the open time is extended to allow proper application, then application efficiency is improved, but production line efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopen timeVSAvoidproduction line efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully balances the formulation parameters including polyol molecular weight (300-3500 g/mol), polyisocyanate NCO content (8-15 wt%), and catalyst selection to achieve an optimal open time. This parameter optimization provides sufficient open time for proper adhesive application while preventing excessive open time that would slow down production line operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates specific catalysts and adhesion promoters in the formulation that initiate and accelerate the curing process at controlled rates. This preliminary action ensures the adhesive remains workable for adequate application time while automatically progressing to cure, maintaining both ease of operation and production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 composition exhibits suitable open time, high initial strength after short-time heating, and maintains lap shear strength and adhesion ability even after heat aging, ensuring durable bonding of various substrates including plastics and composites.

Implementation Method 1

a polyol component A and a polyisocyanate component B... a two-component polyurethane adhesive... consists of: component A, comprising a) a mixture of at least one polyether polyol and at least one polyester polyol... component B, comprising a NCO-terminated prepolymer prepared from the reaction of at least one polyether polyol and at least one polyisocyanate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

at least one catalyst selected from Sn-containing catalysts and Bi-containing catalysts... exhibits suitable open time, which is long enough to enable the application of the composition, and is not too long to decrease the efficiency of automatic production line. After a short-time heating, the cured product possesses high initial strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

After a short-time heating, the cured product possesses high initial strength. After the short-time heating and a subsequent 7-day curing at room temperature, the cured product exhibits high lap shear strength (LSS) from about 3 to 5 MPa... After heat aging, the adhesion ability does not decrease

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal curing: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS11661538B2Two-component polyurethane adhesive
Publication Date: 2023.05.30 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a two-component polyurethane adhesive, based on a polyol component A and a polyisocyanate component B. The two-component polyurethane adhesive exhibits fast cure speed, good adhesion properties and good durability. The two-component polyurethane adhesive is developed for the adhesion adhesion of substrates, wherein the substrates are preferably selected from the group comprising sheet molding compounds (SMCs) and plastic substrates.