Reusable Concrete Formwork Panel with Thermoset Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete formwork panels, particularly those made of particleboard or oriented strand board (OSB), are either too expensive and limited to single use or prone to swelling and demolding issues, making them unsuitable for exposed concrete applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a two-component, water-based coating composition is applied to OSB or particleboard using a hot press to create a reusable concrete formwork panel, comprising a thermosetting resin and a release agent, ensuring easy demolding and multiple uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If inexpensive uncoated particleboard or OSB is used for formwork panels, then production cost is reduced, but the panels swell during use and create uneven surfaces, preventing reuse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidreusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating system consisting of multiple layers (primer layer, intermediate layer, and top layer) on particleboard or OSB substrates. This composite structure combines the cost advantage of particleboard with the protective and surface-quality benefits of multiple coating layers, enabling both economical production and multiple reusable cycles without swelling or surface defects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the particleboard surface through sequential coating applications and controlled drying/curing processes. By adjusting coating composition, application thickness, and drying conditions, the panels achieve dimensional stability and surface uniformity suitable for exposed concrete, transforming the initially unsuitable particleboard surface into a reusable formwork surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high-quality coated plywood or solid wood panels are used for long-term reuse, then durability and surface quality are improved, but the panels cannot be cut to required sizes and lack customizability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term reuse capabilityVSAvoidcustomizability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials (particleboard/OSB with multi-layer coating) that combine the advantages of engineered wood products (ease of cutting and customization) with the protective qualities of coated surfaces. The coating system provides the durability needed for long-term reuse while the particleboard substrate maintains adaptability for custom sizing and design modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If uncoated particleboard or OSB is used for single-use formwork, then production cost is reduced, but demolding problems and damage occur, preventing any reuse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoiddemolding ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface parameters of particleboard/OSB through controlled coating application and drying processes. The coating layers create a controlled-release interface between the formwork and concrete, allowing easy demolding while maintaining panel integrity for reuse, thus transforming the initially problematic uncoated surface into an operationally efficient reusable surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 panels enable cost-effective, reusable formwork suitable for exposed concrete, maintaining surface quality and allowing multiple uses without damage, with the coating ensuring easy separation from hardened concrete.

Implementation Method 1

one component of the coating composition is essentially a thermosetting resin... the applied coating composition is cured in a hot press under increased pressure and/or temperature to form a continuous coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermosetting resin curing: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the second component is a release agent... ensures good separation of the concrete formwork panel from the concrete during demolding after concrete casting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRelease agent action: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4585319B1Method for producing a concrete formwork board, and concrete formwork panel for multiple use
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SWISS KRONO TEC AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a reusable concrete formwork panel and a concrete formwork panel for multiple use in concrete casting. In order to provide a method for producing a concrete formwork panel and a concrete formwork panel that enable multiple use and particularly cost-effective production, wherein the concrete formwork panels are also suitable for casting exposed concrete, it is provided that a chipboard or a coarse chipboard having two cover sides and side surfaces is first provided, followed by the application of a two-component, water-based coating composition by a liquid process to at least one of the cover sides, wherein one component of the coating composition has a thermosetting carrier resin and the second component comprises at least one release agent component.Finally, the applied coating composition is cured in a hot press to form a closed coating on the chipboard or on the coarse particle board.