Rosin-Modified Epoxy Resins for Cost-Effective Coatings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The rising cost of raw materials derived from oil and the need for environmentally friendly alternatives due to depleting oil reserves and volatile petrochemical markets necessitate the development of materials from renewable and inexpensive sources for manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A modified epoxy resin is created by reacting rosin with a linking molecule and further with an epoxy resin, resulting in a product that maintains acid functionality and can be used to form coatings, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If epoxy resins derived from renewable resources are used, then environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness are improved, but epoxy functionality and crosslinking capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidepoxy functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite material system by reacting rosin (renewable resource) with a polyfunctional linking molecule to form a rosin adduct, which is then reacted with epoxy resin. This composite structure combines the renewable rosin component with the epoxy component, maintaining epoxy functionality while incorporating renewable resources. The polyfunctional linking molecule acts as a bridge to integrate these components while preserving crosslinking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical structure parameters of the epoxy system by introducing rosin adducts with specific functional groups. The polyfunctional linking molecule changes the molecular weight, functionality distribution, and chemical composition parameters, allowing the system to maintain epoxy reactivity while incorporating renewable content. The acid value and equivalent weight parameters are controlled to ensure proper crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional epoxy resins are used, then epoxy functionality and crosslinking capability are maintained, but raw material costs increase due to oil price volatility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveepoxy functionalityVSAvoidraw material cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes expensive, volatile petrochemical-based epoxy components with cheaper, stable renewable resources (rosin). The rosin adduct serves as a cost-effective alternative that reduces dependence on oil-derived materials. While rosin itself is not disposable, the approach replaces expensive recurring purchases of petrochemicals with more economically stable renewable feedstocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the economic and compositional parameters of the epoxy system by incorporating rosin adducts. The acid value, equivalent weight, and functional group distribution are adjusted to maintain performance while reducing raw material costs. The polyfunctional linking molecule enables these parameter adjustments while preserving crosslinking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If rosin is reacted with a polyfunctional linking molecule to maintain acid functionality, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable resource utilizationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the epoxy modification process into distinct segments: first reacting rosin with the polyfunctional linking molecule to form the rosin adduct, then reacting this adduct with the epoxy resin. This segmentation allows each reaction step to be optimized independently, controlling acid functionality in the first step and epoxy crosslinking in the second step, thereby managing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The polyfunctional linking molecule serves as an intermediary between rosin and epoxy resin. It first reacts with rosin to form the rosin adduct while maintaining acid functionality, then this adduct reacts with the epoxy resin. The intermediary enables the connection between renewable rosin and epoxy systems without requiring direct complex reaction between rosin and epoxy, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 modified epoxy resin offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for coatings, maintaining epoxy functionality for crosslinking and forming durable films while utilizing renewable resources, thus addressing the challenges of rising raw material costs and environmental concerns.

Implementation Method 1

The modified epoxy resin comprises the reaction product of a rosin and a polyfunctional linking molecule

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8039551B2Modified epoxy resins comprising the reaction product of rosin and a linking molecule and aqueous dispersions and coatings comprising such resins
Publication Date: 2011.10.18 PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO INC

AI summary

Modified epoxy resins comprising the reaction product of rosin and a linking molecule, further reacted with an epoxy resin, are disclosed. Aqueous dispersions and coatings comprising these resins are also disclosed.