Reactive 2K Coating with Cellulose for Stable Stoichiometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-component coating compositions face challenges in maintaining a consistent stoichiometry between the amine hardener and epoxy resin due to unpredictable water interference, requiring additional on-site steps to achieve a desired network formation and slip-resistant structure, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a low-viscosity cellulose derivative in the hardener component to bind water, ensuring a stable 1:1 stoichiometry is achieved in the factory, allowing for the inclusion of grain material, and providing a single-layer coating with good anchoring and slip resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water is added to the hardener component (A), then the coating composition can be diluted and applied more easily, but the stoichiometry between amine hardener and epoxy resin becomes unpredictable and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveapplicabilityVSAvoidstoichiometry consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A water-soluble polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance in the hardener component. This polymer selectively binds water through hydrogen bonding, acting as a mediator that sequesters water molecules and prevents them from interfering with the epoxy-amine reaction stoichiometry. The polymer thus enables water to be present in the formulation without compromising the precise 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between hardener and resin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of water (which disrupts stoichiometry) into a beneficial feature. By allowing water to be present in the hardener component while using the water-soluble polymer to control its activity, the formulation gains improved applicability and ease of application. The water, instead of being a contaminant to be eliminated, becomes part of the designed system that enhances workability while the polymer ensures stoichiometric precision is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If stoichiometry is adjusted on-site to achieve desired network formation, then coating performance can be optimized, but additional work steps and costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork formation qualityVSAvoidon-site work time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer is pre-added to the hardener component during factory formulation, performing the water-binding function in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the coating is applied on-site, the stoichiometry is already optimized and consistent, eliminating the need for additional on-site adjustments. The complex work of stoichiometry control is completed beforehand, allowing straightforward application without extra time-consuming steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If grain material is added to create slip-resistant surface, then safety is improved, but additional application steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslip resistanceVSAvoidapplication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the slip-resistant function with the base coating by incorporating grain material directly into the hardener component. The water-soluble polymer serves as a common binder that holds both the grain material and the amine hardener together in a single formulation. This combining of functions into one integrated component eliminates the need for separate slip-resistant coating steps, reducing application complexity while maintaining safety benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables reliable stoichiometry adjustment and inclusion of grain material at the factory, reducing on-site work steps and costs, while achieving improved mechanical resistance and slip resistance in a single-layer coating application.

Implementation Method 1

the hardener component (A) further contains water and at least one cellulose derivative

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

The cellulose derivative contained in the hardener component (A) has a Brookfield viscosity, determined by means of a Brookfield rotational viscometer at 25°C, 60 rpm, spindle 2, on a 5% solution in water, of 2000 mPa s or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosifying effect:

Data Source

PatentEP4464751B1Reactive 2k coating composition
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 STO SE & CO KGAA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a two-component coating composition comprising a resin component (B) containing at least one epoxy resin as a curable component, and a hardener component (A) comprising an amine hardener system as a curing agent for the epoxy resin of the resin component (B), wherein the hardener component (A) further comprises water and at least one cellulose derivative, and wherein the cellulose derivative has a Brookfield viscosity, determined by a Brookfield rotational viscometer at 25°C, 60 rpm, spindle 2, of 2000 mPa·s or less in a 5% solution in water, and the weight ratio of water to the cellulose derivative in the hardener component (A) is 10:1 to 20:1. The present invention further relates to the use of the two-component coating composition as a floor coating.