Polypropylene Polyphenylene Ether Composite Creep Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermoplastic compositions based on polypropylene filled with glass fibers (PPGF) lack sufficient temperature resistance, impact resistance, and creep resistance compared to polyamide filled with glass fibers, leading to dimensional issues and limitations in applications, particularly in the automotive industry where weight reduction and recyclability are critical.

Innovation Solution

A thermoplastic composition comprising 45-65% PP copolymer, 5-25% polyphenylene ether (PPE), 0.5-7% coupling agent, 0.3-4% stabilizer-antioxidants, 0.2-2% epoxy stabilizer, and 40% glass fibers, optionally with polyphenylene sulfide, nanoparticles, or mica, which enhances creep resistance by at least 10%, tensile modulus at 120°C by at least 20%, and impact resistance by at least 10% compared to compositions without PPE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If polypropylene filled with glass fibers (PPGF) is used to replace polyamide filled with glass fibers (PAGF), then cost and weight are reduced, but temperature resistance, impact resistance, and creep resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polypropylene, polyphenylene ether (PPE), and glass fibers. The PPE acts as a modifier that enhances the mechanical properties of PPGF, particularly impact resistance and creep resistance, while maintaining the weight advantage. This composite approach allows achieving properties comparable to PAGF without sacrificing the weight benefits of polypropylene-based compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of stationary object

If polypropylene filled with glass fibers (PPGF) is used to replace polyamide filled with glass fibers (PAGF), then cost and weight are reduced, but temperature resistance, impact resistance, and creep resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidtemperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polypropylene, polyphenylene ether (PPE), and glass fibers. The PPE acts as a modifier that enhances the mechanical properties of PPGF, particularly impact resistance and creep resistance, while maintaining the weight advantage. This composite approach allows achieving properties comparable to PAGF without sacrificing the weight benefits of polypropylene-based compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of stationary object

If polypropylene filled with glass fibers (PPGF) is used to replace polyamide filled with glass fibers (PAGF), then cost and weight are reduced, but creep resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidcreep resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polypropylene, polyphenylene ether (PPE), and glass fibers. The PPE acts as a modifier that enhances the mechanical properties of PPGF, particularly impact resistance and creep resistance, while maintaining the weight advantage. This composite approach allows achieving properties comparable to PAGF without sacrificing the weight benefits of polypropylene-based compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Loss of time

If PPGF is used, then injection cycle time is reduced, but dimensional accuracy deteriorates due to shrinkage variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection cycle timeVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the composition parameters by incorporating PPE into the PPGF system. This compositional change affects the shrinkage behavior and dimensional stability of the material during injection molding, allowing for better dimensional accuracy while maintaining the short injection cycle time advantage of polypropylene-based materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2099862B1New thermoplastic composition and its uses
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 SUMIKA POLYMER COMPOUNDS (FRANCE) SA

AI summary

This invention concerns polypropylene and polyphenylene ether-based thermoplastic compositions, their preparation methods and their uses for manufacturing mechanical parts, especially automotive parts.