Propylene Polymer Composition for Soft Artificial Leather

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Solution Overview

Problem

Olefin-based artificial leathers exhibit poor abrasion resistance, and existing methods to enhance this property are costly and complex, making it challenging to develop a soft olefin-based resin with improved abrasion resistance.

Innovation Solution

A propylene-based polymer composition comprising a propylene-based polymer with a syndiotactic pentad fraction of 85% or more, combined with a propylene-based copolymer and optional additional polymers, which provides excellent abrasion resistance while maintaining softness and moldability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a soft olefin-based resin is used to achieve flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite polymer system combining polypropylene (providing abrasion resistance) with thermoplastic elastomers (providing flexibility). This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve both flexibility and abrasion resistance that cannot be obtained with single-phase olefin resins alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific ratios of polypropylene (30-80 mass%), thermoplastic elastomer (10-60 mass%), and optional styrene-based elastomer (5-20 mass%). By adjusting these compositional parameters, the material achieves optimal balance between flexibility and abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fabric layer is added to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a homogeneous polymer blend where polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer are mixed at the molecular level to form a uniform composition. This eliminates the need for layered structures (like fabric layers) while achieving abrasion resistance through the intrinsic properties of the blended polymer system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a multi-layer composite structure with fabric, the invention uses a molecular-level composite of polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer. This single-phase composite achieves both abrasion resistance and flexibility without adding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8735499B2Propylene-based polymer composition and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2014.05.27 MITSUI CHEMICALS INC

AI summary

The propylene-based polymer composition includes a specific amount of a propylene-based polymer (A) having a syndiotactic pentad fraction (rrrr fraction) of 85% or more and containing 90 to 100 mol % of a structural unit derived from propylene; a specific amount of a propylene-based copolymer (B) containing 40 to 89 mol % of a structural unit derived from propylene and 11 to 60 mol % of a structural unit derived from an α-olefin and satisfying a specific equation of intrinsic viscosity [η] and MFR; and specific amount(s) of at least one polymer of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (C), a styrene-based elastomer (D), a propylene/ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (E) and an isotactic propylene-based polymer (F), and optionally an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (G) and/or an ethylene-based polymer (H).