Silane-Modified Thermoplastic Polyurethane Heat Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermoplastic polyurethane materials, such as fibers and hoses, face challenges in achieving high heat resistance due to their lower heat resistance compared to crosslinked polymers, and existing methods for crosslinking require complex multi-step processes that can lead to degradation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating silane groups with an isocyanate group directly into the thermoplastic polyurethane during its preparation, eliminating the need for additional crosslinking agents and allowing for simpler, quicker, and cost-effective production of crosslinkable TPUs with excellent crosslinking properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If thermoplastic polyurethane is used to maintain thermoplastic processing capability, then ease of manufacture is improved, but heat resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermoplastic processing capabilityVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The silane groups are incorporated into the thermoplastic polyurethane during the polymerization process itself, rather than adding them later as a separate crosslinking step. This preliminary incorporation allows the material to maintain its thermoplastic properties during processing while having crosslinking capability built-in from the start.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the thermoplastic polyurethane matrix with silane groups having isocyanate functions into a single integrated material system. The silane groups are incorporated during polyurethane synthesis, merging the thermoplastic processing capability with the crosslinking functionality in one material rather than requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If conventional crosslinking methods are used to improve heat resistance, then heat resistance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidcrosslinking process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate crosslinking agents and multi-step crosslinking processes. By incorporating the silane groups with isocyanate functions directly during polyurethane synthesis, the complex post-synthesis crosslinking steps are removed, leaving a simpler one-step process that achieves both thermoplastic processing and crosslinking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The silane groups incorporated during polyurethane synthesis serve multiple functions: they maintain the thermoplastic properties of the material during processing while simultaneously providing the crosslinking functionality needed for heat resistance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate crosslinking agents and processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If multi-step crosslinking processes are used, then heat resistance is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The crosslinking capability is established during the initial polyurethane synthesis step rather than being added later. This preliminary action eliminates subsequent crosslinking steps, reducing the overall production cycle time while achieving the desired heat resistance properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The synthesis of thermoplastic polyurethane and the incorporation of crosslinking-capable silane groups are merged into a single process step. This combination eliminates the need for separate crosslinking operations, significantly reducing production cycle time while maintaining heat resistance improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Temperature

If additional crosslinking agents are introduced, then heat resistance is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoiddegradation from crosslinking agents
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need for separate crosslinking agents by incorporating the silane groups with isocyanate functions directly into the polyurethane matrix during synthesis. This eliminates the harmful effects associated with adding external crosslinking agents while still achieving the desired crosslinking and heat resistance properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoplastic polyurethane material itself contains the crosslinking functionality through the incorporated silane groups, eliminating the need for external crosslinking agents. The material serves its own crosslinking needs through the built-in silane-isocyanate reactive groups, avoiding the introduction of harmful external substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach enables the production of thermoplastic polyurethane fibers and hoses with improved heat distortion temperature and resistance to spinning preparations, maintaining process integrity and avoiding premature crosslinking during processing.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinked polyurethane obtainable via reaction of the inventive thermoplastic polyurethane with water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

reaction of diisocyanate (a) with compounds (b) reactive toward isocyanates, and chain extender (c)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolyaddition: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8541535B2Thermoplastic polyurethane containing silane groups
Publication Date: 2013.09.24 BASF SE

AI summary

The invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane comprising the following structural unit:R2—CO—NH—R—Si(R1)3-x(OR1)x where:R is an aliphatic, araliphatic, or aromatic organic radical having from 1 to 20 hydrocarbon atoms,R1 is an alkyl radical or aryl radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,R2 is —NR3—CO—R4 or —O—R5—O—,R3 is a section of the polymer chain of the thermoplastic polyurethane, in particular a radical which derives from the diisocyanate used to prepare the thermoplastic polyurethane,R4 is a section of the polymer chain of the thermoplastic polyurethane, in particular a radical which derives from the following compounds used to prepare the thermoplastic polyurethane: compounds (b) reactive toward isocyanates, or from the chain extender (c),R5 is an alkylene radical having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, andx is 1, 2 or 3.