Removable Polyurethane Hot Melt Adhesive for Reusable Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional polyurethane (PU) hot melt adhesives offer high bonding strength but are difficult to detach at elevated temperatures, limiting their reuse and efficiency in structural assembly applications, where low bonding strength at elevated temperatures and high strength at room temperature are needed.

Innovation Solution

A reactive hot melt adhesive comprising a (meth)acrylate polymer and an isocyanate-functional polyurethane prepolymer, with a melting point of 90-140°C and molecular weight of 20,000-80,000 g/mol, which allows for easy removability and high bonding strength at room temperature, achieved by reacting with moisture to form a crosslinked adhesive with urea and urethane groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional PU hot melt adhesives are used, then high bonding strength at room temperature is achieved, but bonding strength at elevated temperature remains too high for easy removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength at room temperatureVSAvoidease of removal at elevated temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by incorporating specific polymers (polyester polymer, polyether polymer, and carboxylic acid) to create a system where bonding strength becomes temperature-dependent. This allows high strength at room temperature while enabling easy removal at elevated temperatures through controlled chemical interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite adhesive system combining multiple polymer types (polyester, polyether, and carboxylic acid components) to achieve dual functionality: strong bonding at room temperature and easy removal at elevated temperatures. The composite nature allows different components to contribute different properties that resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If adhesive bonding is used for structural assembly, then strong bonding is achieved, but substrate reuse becomes difficult due to strong adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidsubstrate reuse capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameters of the adhesive system to enable controlled debonding. By formulating the adhesive with specific polymers that respond to elevated temperatures, the bonding strength can be reduced on demand, allowing substrate separation and reuse while maintaining strong initial bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic properties to the adhesive system where bonding characteristics can change based on temperature conditions. The adhesive transitions from a strong-bonding state at room temperature to a easy-removal state at elevated temperatures, enabling both strong assembly and substrate reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If high bonding strength adhesive is used, then assembly reliability is improved, but assembly efficiency decreases due to difficulty in separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly reliabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal and chemical parameters of the adhesive to create a system with high reliability during assembly but low resistance during separation. The specific polymer composition allows the adhesive to maintain strong bonding under normal conditions while enabling efficient separation when heated, thus improving both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables periodic switching between bonding and separation states through temperature control. The adhesive provides strong bonding during assembly operations, then can be easily separated during removal operations by applying heat, allowing repeated assembly cycles and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 adhesive exhibits significantly low bonding strength at elevated temperatures, enabling easy removal without residue, while maintaining high bonding strength at room temperature, thus improving assembly efficiency and allowing for the reuse of expensive substrates.

Implementation Method 1

reacting with moisture to form a crosslinked adhesive with urea and urethane groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction with moisture: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The adhesive exhibits significantly low bonding strength at elevated temperatures, enabling easy removal without residue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal effect on bonding strength: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10190029B2Removable polyurethane hot melt adhesive and the use thereof
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The invention relates to a polyurethane (PU) reactive hot melt adhesive removable at elevated temperature as well as having a high bonding strength at room temperature.