Resorbable Glass Fiber Sizing for Stronger Composite Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resorbable and biocompatible glass fiber composites suffer from weak interfacial bonding due to high levels of physiosorbed sizing, which limits mechanical strength and retention, necessitating improved sizing materials and methods for stronger, biocompatible composites.
Innovation Solution
A resorbable and biocompatible glass fiber is coated with a sizing comprising a thermoplastic compatibilizer covalently bonded through a coupling agent with a silane moiety, formed by reacting a compatibilizer with a volatile tertiary amine in an aqueous medium, followed by drying, curing, and evaporating the amine to enhance interfacial bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a sizing is applied to glass fibers to improve interfacial bonding, then adhesion between matrix polymer and glass fiber is improved, but a high level of physiosorbed sizing limits the strength of the obtained composite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical bonding parameter from physiosorption to covalent bonding by using silane coupling agents that form chemical bonds between the sizing and glass fiber surface. This transformation increases the bond strength and ensures durability of the interfacial bonding, resolving the contradiction between initial adhesion and long-term strength retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite sizing system combining silane coupling agents with film formers, creating a multi-component coating that provides both chemical bonding (via silane) and physical protection (via film former). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of strong interfacial bonding and durable strength retention.
2Ease of manufacture
If a film former is used in the sizing to protect and lubricate fibers, then processability is improved, but the film former may be physiosorbed rather than chemically bonded, reducing composite strength
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent acts as an intermediary between the film former and the glass fiber surface. It forms a chemical bridge that anchors the film former to the fiber, ensuring that the lubricating and protective functions of the film former are maintained while preventing premature detachment that would reduce composite strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the glass fiber surface is hydrophilic, then it is naturally compatible with aqueous environments, but the polymer matrix is often hydrophobic, reducing adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent changes the surface energy parameter of the glass fiber by introducing hydrophobic organic groups through chemical bonding. This modification maintains the hydrophilic nature needed for aqueous processing while adding hydrophobic character for better compatibility with hydrophobic polymer matrices, thus improving adhesion.
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 coated glass fibers exhibit an apparent interfacial shear strength at least 10% higher than bare fibers, providing enhanced mechanical strength and retention in composite materials.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoplastic, resorbable and biocompatible compatibilizer that is covalently bonded to the glass fiber through a coupling agent having at least one silane moiety
Implementation Method 2
the product of the reaction of a compatibilizer which is a thermoplastic, resorbable and biocompatible polymer comprising carboxylic acid end-groups with a volatile tertiary amine in an aqueous liquid medium
Implementation Method 3
a coupling agent having at least one silane moiety
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to resorbable, biocompatible and preferably bioactive glass fibers which are coated with a sizing comprising thermoplastic, resorbable and biocompatible compatibilizer, wherein the polyester is covalently bonded to the glass fibers through a coupling agent with at least one silane moiety. The fiber preferably is manufactured through a process wherein a volatile amine is present as temporal processing aid. The invention further relates to a method for coating a resorbable, biocompatible glass fiber, to a kit for coating a glass fiber, to a composite comprising said coated glass fiber, and to a medical device comprising said composite.