Removable Polyether-Silane Adhesive Composition for Residue-Free Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adhesives and sealants lack the ability to be simultaneously removable without chemical products or tools, which is necessary for applications requiring bond replacement, recycling, or aesthetic reasons, as they either deform or leave residues when trying to separate bonded parts.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising polyether-silane groups or alcoxysilane radicals with specific additives like hydrophobic silica, plasticizers, and adhesion promoters, which allows for cohesive breakage, ensuring high adhesive forces while being easily removable, thus acting as both adhesive and sealant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional adhesives or sealants are used to create strong bonds, then high adhesive force and cohesive strength are achieved, but the bonded parts cannot be easily separated without damaging substrates or leaving residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive/sealant formulation. Specifically, it uses a polyether base with silane groups containing 2-10 repeating units of the formula -O-CH2-CH2-CR3-CH(R4)-, where R3 and R4 are specific radical groups. This compositional parameter change enables the material to achieve both high initial adhesion strength and subsequent easy removability through hydrolysis and condensation reactions that create reversible bonds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple functional components in a single adhesive/sealant formulation. The composition includes: (a) a polyether with silane groups as the base polymer, (b) adhesion promoters, (c) plasticizers, (d) fillers, and (e) crosslinking agents. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both strong bonding properties and controlled removability, as different components contribute different functions that work together to resolve the contradiction between strength and ease of repair.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sealants are designed to maintain flexibility and elasticity for sealing joints, then good sealing performance is achieved, but the sealant cannot be easily removed when aesthetic degradation or replacement is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes in the polyether chain structure. The silane-containing polyether with 2-10 repeating units provides specific elastic parameters that allow the sealant to maintain flexibility for effective sealing while simultaneously enabling easy removal. The specific ratio of ether oxygens to carbon atoms and the presence of hydrolyzable silane groups create a material whose physical parameters can be tuned to balance elasticity and removability.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane groups act as an intermediary mechanism between the polyether chains. These silane groups undergo hydrolysis and condensation to form siloxane crosslinks that provide structural integrity and elasticity for sealing performance. However, these same siloxane bonds can be broken down by moisture or chemical agents, serving as a mediator that allows the sealant to maintain its elastic sealing function during service but enables easy removal when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of repair.
3Strength
If adhesives are formulated to create permanent bonds for structural applications, then high cohesive force is achieved, but the bonded materials cannot be recovered or recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the degree of crosslinking and the specific chemical structure of the silane groups. The polyether with 2-10 repeating units of silane-containing groups creates a network with sufficient cohesive strength for structural applications. However, the parameter range specified (2-10 units) and the specific radical groups (R3 and R4) ensure that the crosslinked network remains susceptible to hydrolysis, allowing bonded materials to be recovered and recycled by exposing the bond to moisture or chemical agents that break the siloxane bonds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics into the adhesive system through the use of hydrolyzable silane crosslinks. The adhesive bond is not static but dynamically responsive to environmental conditions. During service, the siloxane crosslinks provide stable, strong bonding. However, when recovery or recycling is needed, exposure to moisture, water vapor, or chemical agents triggers hydrolysis of the siloxane bonds, dynamically transforming the permanent bond into a removable one. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between achieving high cohesive force for structural applications and enabling recoverability for recycling.
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 enables easy removal without residues, maintaining high tensile strength and adhesion, suitable for various applications, including bonding and sealing, and can be reused or recycled without damaging substrates.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive is defined as a mixture of substances that is useful to keep two substrates bonded by means of surface interactions. These interactions may be physical or chemical (chemical bonds)
Implementation Method 2
a polyether containing silane groups in the end of the chain or a polyether containing alcoxysilane radicals
Implementation Method 3
a polyether containing silane groups in the end of the chain or a polyether containing alcoxysilane radicals
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adhesive and/or sealant composition comprising a polyether containing silane groups in the end of the chain or a polyether containing alcoxysilane radicals, which is removable. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the manufacturing process and the uses thereof.