Silane-Crosslinking Curable Compositions with Mixed Terminal Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesives and sealants face challenges in achieving a balance between high strength and elasticity, with isocyanate-free compositions requiring improved curing times, elasticity, and extensibility while avoiding residual tackiness.

Innovation Solution

Silane-crosslinking compositions utilizing polymers with two different dialkoxysilyl terminal groups, differing in aliphatic hydrocarbon bridges, which react to form curable compositions with enhanced elasticity, strength, and moderate curing times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the crosslinking density is increased to achieve higher adhesive strength, then the strength is improved, but the elasticity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidelasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the silane groups (specifically using a mixture of dimethoxysilyl and diethoxysilyl groups with different hydrocarbon chain lengths) to optimize both strength and elasticity. The shorter hydrocarbon chain (K1) provides higher reactivity and crosslinking density for strength, while the longer hydrocarbon chain (K2) provides flexibility and elasticity, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system by combining polymers with different terminal silane groups (both dimethoxysilyl and diethoxysilyl) in a single composition. This composite approach allows the different silane types to contribute differently to the crosslinked network, with some providing strength and others providing elasticity, thereby achieving both properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If plasticizers are added to restore elasticity, then the elasticity is improved, but the plasticizer migration occurs and strength is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveelasticityVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding plasticizers to restore elasticity, the patent changes the fundamental chemical parameters of the crosslinking system by using silane groups with different hydrocarbon chain lengths. This approach achieves elasticity through the molecular structure itself rather than through additive plasticizers, eliminating the problem of plasticizer migration while maintaining both strength and elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If α-silane based dimethoxy compounds are used to achieve good elasticity, then the elasticity is improved, but the processing time becomes very short

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveelasticityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the reactivity parameters of the silane system by introducing diethoxysilyl groups with longer hydrocarbon chains (K2) alongside the dimethoxysilyl groups. The diethoxysilyl groups with longer hydrocarbon chains provide a slower, more controlled reaction rate, which extends the processing time while the dimethoxysilyl groups maintain the elasticity, thus resolving the contradiction between elasticity and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If hydrosilylation process is used to manufacture mixed systems, then the composition is formed, but the reaction time is long and residual tackiness remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition formationVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the hydrolyzable group parameters from the traditional hydrosilylation approach to using alkoxysilyl groups (dimethoxysilyl and diethoxysilyl) that can react directly with water or hydroxyl groups. This parameter change enables faster reaction kinetics while maintaining complete reaction of terminal groups, eliminating residual tackiness and reducing reaction time compared to conventional hydrosilylation processes.

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 compositions exhibit high elasticity, strength, and extensibility with adequate setting times, overcoming the limitations of previous isocyanate-free binding agents by providing improved processing and performance characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

silane-crosslinking curable compositions... polymers having at least two terminal groups of the following formulas (I) and (II)... X, Y, mutually independently, denote a hydroxy group or a hydrolyzable group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

In the presence of atmospheric moisture these alkoxysilane-terminated polymers are capable, even at room temperature, of condensing with one another with cleavage of the alkoxy groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS8563675B2Curable compositions composed of silanes with two hydrolyzable groups
Publication Date: 2013.10.22 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The present invention relates to silane-crosslinking curable compositions encompassing a polymer P having at least two terminal groups of the following formulas (I) and (II) -Am-K1—SiR1XY (I), -Am-K2—SiR2XY (II), and/or two polymers P1 and P2, polymer P1 having terminal groups of the following formula (I) -Am-K1—SiR1XY (I), and polymer P2 having terminal groups of the following formula (II) -Am-K2—SiR2XY (II), in which A denotes a divalent bonding group, K1, K2, mutually independently, denote a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group that has a main chain of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon groups K1, K2 being different, X, Y mutually independently denote a hydroxy group or a hydrolyzable group, R1, R2 mutually independently denote a hydrocarbon residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and m assumes the values 0 or 1.