Sealant Composition for Moisture-Sensitive Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealant compositions for moisture-sensitive devices, such as photovoltaic panels, face limitations in thermal stability and water vapor transmission, and the adhesion-promoting effect of silane-modified polymers is material-dependent and requires cautious storage, necessitating a composition with improved thermal stability and low water vapor transmission.

Innovation Solution

A sealant composition comprising maleic anhydride modified polyolefin, ethylene-octene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, inert fillers, moisture sorbers, and stabilizing agents, which excludes polyolefins modified with silanes, providing high thermal stability and low water vapor transmission, and enhanced adhesion properties through the combination of specific copolymers and fillers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyolefins modified with silanes are used as adhesion promoters, then adhesion properties are improved, but thermal stability deteriorates and storage requires special caution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion propertiesVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes polyolefins modified with silanes from the sealant composition. By eliminating this component, the patent resolves the contradiction between adhesion properties and thermal stability, achieving high thermal stability (no significant weight loss up to 130°C) while maintaining excellent adhesion through alternative polymer combinations (polyisobutylene, polybutene, butyl rubber, and their copolymers).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting silane-modified polymers with unmodified polyolefins and specific copolymers. This parameter change eliminates the thermal instability associated with silane groups while preserving adhesion functionality through the selected polymer blend, achieving both high thermal stability and adequate adhesion without special storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If sealant compositions are designed for high thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but water vapor transmission may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidwater vapor transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a composite sealant composition comprising multiple polymer components (polyisobutylene, polybutene, butyl rubber, and their copolymers) combined with specific additives. This composite structure achieves both high thermal stability (maintaining integrity up to 130°C) and low water vapor transmission (MVT < 10 g/24h/1000cm²), resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and moisture barrier properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the local chemical composition by selecting specific polymer types and ratios that simultaneously provide thermal resistance and moisture barrier properties. The use of saturated polyolefins with specific molecular weights and the inclusion of crosslinking agents create localized regions of high density and low permeability, achieving both thermal stability and low water vapor transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 composition achieves excellent sealant effectiveness, high thermal stability, and low water vapor transmission, with improved adhesion properties even after cooling, suitable for various moisture-sensitive devices, including solar panels.

Implementation Method 1

at least a moisture sorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

having a low rate of water vapor transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation resistance: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS8962975B2Sealant composition
Publication Date: 2015.02.24 SAES GETTERS SPA

AI summary

A sealant composition for insulation of devices that are sensitive to penetration of moisture from the external environment is described. The sealant composition has ethylene-octene copolymers, a maleic anhydride modified polyolefin, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, at least one inert filler, at least one moisture scavenger, and at least one stabilizing or antioxidant preserving agent.