Silane-Modified Sliding Material Composition for Automotive Weather Strips
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding materials for weather strips and glass runs in automobiles, which incorporate crosslinkable particles, require complex manufacturing processes and are prone to cracking, affecting their durability and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A sliding material composition comprising high-density polyethylene, olefin block copolymer, and a silane coupling agent, melt-kneaded in specific ratios, which eliminates the need for crosslinking reactions and enhances slidability and durability without post-treatment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If crosslinkable particles are added to improve slidability, then slidability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated due to required hot water treatment for crosslinking reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the crosslinking reaction step from the manufacturing process. Instead of using crosslinkable particles that require hot water treatment, the invention uses a silane-modified polymer composition that achieves the desired slidability without the complex crosslinking process, thereby removing the problematic manufacturing step while maintaining the sliding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing a silane-modified polymer with specific Si content (0.1-15% by mass). This parameter change allows the material to achieve improved slidability through the silane modification itself, rather than requiring subsequent crosslinking reactions, thus simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining operational performance.
2Ease of operation
If crosslinkable particles are added to improve slidability, then slidability is improved, but the material easily cracks due to external stimulation such as bending by repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer composition by incorporating silane-modified components with controlled Si content (0.1-15% by mass). This compositional parameter change enhances the material's flexibility and crack resistance while maintaining slidability, eliminating the brittleness issue associated with crosslinked materials that have poor flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining silane-modified polymer with specific compositional ratios. This composite approach provides both the sliding function and improved durability against cracking, as the silane modification creates a more flexible and resilient material structure that resists damage from repeated bending and external stimulation.
3Ease of operation
If crosslinkable particles are added to improve slidability, then slidability is improved, but the crack portion turns white which adversely affects the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing crack formation in the first place through the use of silane-modified polymer composition. The modified polymer provides enhanced flexibility and crack resistance, so cracks do not form during repeated bending. This prevents the appearance degradation issue before it can occur, rather than attempting to address it after cracking happens.
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 solution simplifies the manufacturing process, improves slidability and durability, and prevents cracking, making it suitable for applications like weather strips and glass runs without compromising appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the present inventors have found that silane-grafting a polymer component comprising a high-density polyethylene and an olefin block copolymer is effective in imparting slidability
Implementation Method 2
a molded article having the same level of slidability as a resin to which particles such as silicone powder are added can be realized by melt-kneading a composition comprising a polymer component comprising a specific high-density polyethylene and an olefin block copolymer, and a silane coupling agent
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding material composition comprising a polymer component comprising (A) a high-density polyethylene and (B) an olefin block copolymer; and (C) a silane coupling agent; wherein the Si content is 0.1 to 15% by mass based on the mass of the entire sliding material composition. The sliding material composition has the same level of slidability as a resin to which particles are added.