Glass Fiber Sizing for ROMP-Compatible Polyolefin Composites
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective glass fiber reinforcements that do not inhibit the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) resins, as conventional sizing compositions often 'poison' ROMP catalysts, leading to inadequate polymerization and composite properties such as shear strength.
Innovation Solution
A sizing composition for glass fibers comprising a film-former with a polymer having a repeating unit with at least four carbon atoms and one carbon-carbon double bond, along with a silane, which are designed to improve adhesion and compatibility with DCPD resins without inhibiting the ROMP catalysts, including specific polymers like polybutadiene and silanes with terminal vinyl groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sizing compositions are applied to glass fibers to improve adhesion and processability, then the fibers become more compatible with polymer matrices and easier to process, but the sizing compositions poison ROMP catalysts, leading to inadequate polymerization and poor composite properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful catalyst-poisoning components from conventional sizing compositions. Specifically, it eliminates or minimizes components like cationic surfactants, epoxies, and other substances known to deactivate ROMP catalysts, while retaining the essential adhesion-promoting and processability-enhancing functions of the sizing composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances that bridge the glass fiber surface and the DCPD resin matrix without interfering with the ROMP catalyst. These intermediaries include specific silanes (e.g., vinyl-trialkoxysilanes, glycidyl-trialkoxysilanes) and film formers that provide compatible interfaces for both the fiber and the polymerizing resin system.
2Strength
If sizing compositions are applied to glass fibers to enhance adhesion with DCPD resins, then interfacial bonding improves, but catalyst activity is inhibited, resulting in poor polymerization and inadequate shear strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sizing composition to be compatible with ROMP catalysts. This includes selecting specific silane types (vinyl-, glycidyl-, or norbornenyl-functional), controlling silane concentration (0.1-10 wt%), and choosing film formers with appropriate molecular weights and chemical structures that do not interfere with catalyst activity while maintaining adhesion properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sizing system combining multiple compatible components: silanes for chemical bonding, film formers for physical adhesion and surface properties, and lubricants for processability. This composite approach ensures both strong fiber-matrix adhesion and catalyst compatibility, leading to adequate shear strength in the final composite.
3Adaptability or versatility
If glass fibers are reinforced in DCPD resins with conventional sizings, then fiber compatibility improves, but polymerization efficiency decreases due to catalyst poisoning, leading to poor composite performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of sizing components into benefit by carefully selecting substances that enhance fiber compatibility while being inert to ROMP catalysts. The sizing composition is designed to provide beneficial interfacial properties and fiber protection without sacrificing polymerization efficiency, effectively making the sizing itself catalyst-compatible.
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 proposed sizing composition enhances the adhesion between glass fibers and DCPD resins, maintaining the desired mechanical properties and ensuring adequate shear strength in composites, while avoiding catalyst poisoning, thus achieving improved composite performance.
Implementation Method 1
a silane comprising a terminal vinyl group
Implementation Method 2
cure by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to sizing compositions, to glass fibers at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, to a variety of fiber glass products at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, and to composites formed from cycloolefins and reinforced with glass fibers at least partially coated with sizing compositions of the present invention. In one non-limiting embodiment, a sizing composition for glass fibers comprises a film-former comprising a polymer, wherein the repeating unit of the polymer comprises at least four carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and a silane.