Reactive Hydroxylated Polymers for Adhesion Promoters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesion promoters in printing inks and coatings cause viscosity instability and yellowing, leading to reduced productivity and increased costs due to heat sensitivity and premature interaction with other components, while non-yellowing, low-odor alternatives lack sufficient reactivity for immediate adhesion and stability.

Innovation Solution

A new class of reactive polymers formed by reacting polymers with terminal and/or pendant hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups with metal complexes and alkyl phosphates, which enhances adhesion and viscosity stability without increasing viscosity, even at lower metal complex levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional adhesion promoters are used to improve adhesion, then adhesion performance is improved, but viscosity stability deteriorates and yellowing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion performanceVSAvoidviscosity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the adhesion promoter by using modified metal chelates with altered molecular structures that resist premature reaction and yellowing, while maintaining adhesion-promoting capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by achieving both good adhesion and viscosity stability through parameter modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite adhesion promoter systems combining modified metal chelates with specific polymers and additives that work synergistically to provide both adhesion performance and viscosity stability, preventing the harmful effects of conventional single-component promoters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If highly reactive adhesion promoters are used to achieve immediate adhesion, then adhesion speed is improved, but viscosity increases and premature interaction with other components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion speedVSAvoidviscosity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary protective measures by using modified metal chelates that are pre-engineered to resist premature reaction with ink components. These modified chelates maintain their reactivity for adhesion while being stabilized against early interaction, allowing fast adhesion without viscosity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary substances that mediate between the metal chelate and other ink components, preventing premature interaction while allowing the chelate to maintain its adhesion-promoting reactivity. This intermediary protection enables fast adhesion without compromising formulation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If titanium chelates with isopropyl groups are used to provide adhesion, then adhesion performance is improved, but yellowing and odor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion performanceVSAvoidyellowing and odor
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful isopropyl groups from the metal chelate structure while retaining the essential adhesion-promoting metal center and chelating ligands. This extraction of harmful components eliminates yellowing and odor while preserving adhesion performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful metal chelate structure into a beneficial adhesion promoter by modifying it with stabilizing groups that prevent yellowing and odor formation, while enhancing or maintaining adhesion performance through controlled reactivity.

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

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 reactive polymers provide superior adhesion performance and viscosity stability, achieving improved lamination bond strength and maintaining stability under lower temperature drying conditions, outperforming conventional systems in both pigmented and non-pigmented ink formulations.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention is new class of reactive polymers or polymer complexes that is the reaction product of at least one polymer containing terminal and/or pendant hydroxyl and/or terminal and/or pendant carboxyl groups, or combinations thereof, with at least one metal complex and at least one alkyl phosphate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9034958B2Reactive hydroxylated and carboxylated polymers for use as adhesion promoters
Publication Date: 2015.05.19 SUN CHEMICAL CORP

AI summary

A polymer complex is disclosed which is the reaction product of one or more polymers having a terminal or pendant hydroxyl group, or a terminal or pendent carboxyl group, or combinations thereof, with at least one metal complex and one alkyl phosphate. This polymer complex acts as an adhesion promotion agent as well as a viscosity stabilizer when formulated in a printing ink or coating.