Silane-Terminated Polyether Emulsions for Fast-Curing 1K Coatings

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating systems for building materials face issues with brittleness, cracking, and moisture damage, particularly in 2K systems, which require mixing just prior to application and have limited shelf-life, while 1K systems with added catalysts cure too quickly during storage, lacking sufficient pot life and durability.

Innovation Solution

Development of 1K water-based silane terminated polyether emulsions using cyclohexylamino alkoxysilane catalysts, providing increased tensile strength, tear resistance, and exposure durability, with a shelf-life of over six months.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a catalyst is added to silane terminated polyether emulsion to enable 1K system, then curing speed is improved, but shelf-life deteriorates due to premature curing during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring speedVSAvoidshelf-life

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A latent catalyst system is employed where the catalyst is incorporated into the emulsion in a dormant form that becomes active only under specific conditions (such as moisture exposure during application). This intermediary approach allows the catalyst to remain inactive during storage, preserving shelf-life, while activating upon application to achieve fast curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in environmental parameters (moisture content, temperature, pH) to control catalyst activity. The catalyst system is designed to remain dormant under storage conditions and activate when exposed to the application environment, thereby decoupling storage stability from curing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional 2K system is used with post-added catalyst, then shelf-life is improved, but application time increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf-lifeVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the catalyst and polymer components into a single 1K emulsion formulation, eliminating the need for separate mixing steps required in 2K systems. This consolidation maintains shelf-life by using a stable catalyst system while reducing application time by removing the mixing step entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst is pre-incorporated into the emulsion in a latent form during manufacturing, so that no field mixing is required. The catalyst is activated in situ during application, performing the curing action at the optimal moment without requiring additional preparation time at the application site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If non-catalyzed system is used, then shelf-life is improved, but tensile strength and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf-lifeVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A latent catalyst system is employed where the catalyst is incorporated into the emulsion in a dormant form that becomes active only under specific conditions (such as moisture exposure during application). This intermediary approach allows the catalyst to remain inactive during storage, preserving shelf-life, while activating upon application to achieve fast curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in environmental parameters (moisture content, temperature, pH) to control catalyst activity. The catalyst system is designed to remain dormant under storage conditions and activate when exposed to the application environment, thereby decoupling storage stability from curing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If elastomeric silicone emulsion is used to improve elasticity, then crack resistance is improved, but tensile strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveelasticityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system combining silane terminated polyether emulsion with a catalyst system to achieve both elasticity and high tensile strength. The silane modification provides elastomeric properties while the catalyst enables complete curing to develop maximum strength, creating a material that exhibits both flexibility and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 1K system achieves fast curing upon application, maintains stability during storage, and enhances tensile strength, tear resistance, and durability compared to non-catalyzed systems, significantly improving shelf-life.

Implementation Method 1

silane terminated polyether emulsions (STP-E emulsions) comprising a cyclohexylamino alkoxysilane catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

STP-E polymers are extremely sensitive to moisture, because that is the mechanism by which they cure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

STP-E polymers are extremely sensitive to moisture, because that is the mechanism by which they cure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS12565562B2Silane terminated polyether emulsions for coating applications

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

Silane-terminated polyether emulsions (STP-E emulsions) comprising a cyclohexylamino alkoxysilane catalyst may be formulated as storage stable 1K compositions. The STP-E emulsions are especially useful in coating applications.