Silane Polyurethane Sealant Resolving Strength Elongation Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available polyurethane-based sealant compositions for windows and insulating glass units exhibit low elongation and contain isocyanate monomers, necessitating a moisture curable sealant with improved tensile strength and elongation without isocyanate monomers.

Innovation Solution

A moisture curable hot melt sealant composition comprising a silane polyurethane polymer free of isocyanate groups, combined with rosin-based and other tackifying agents, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and a butene component, along with a filler, to achieve enhanced tensile strength and elongation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyurethane-based sealant compositions are used, then tensile strength is achieved, but elongation is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidelongation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite formulation combining silane polyurethane polymer with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin-based tackifying agents, and other polymers. This composite approach allows the sealant to achieve both high tensile strength (from the polyurethane component) and high elongation (from the flexible EVA and tackifying agent components), resolving the contradiction between strength and elongation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If isocyanate monomer is included in polyurethane sealants, then moisture curability is achieved, but health and environmental concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture curabilityVSAvoidisocyanate monomer content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful isocyanate monomer from the sealant formulation while maintaining moisture curability through an alternative mechanism. The silane polyurethane polymer provides moisture curability through silane hydrolysis and condensation reactions instead of isocyanate-based chemistry, removing the harmful substance while preserving the desired function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces silane-modified polyurethane polymer as an intermediary substance that enables moisture curability without requiring isocyanate monomers. The silane groups on the polyurethane polymer react with moisture to form crosslinked structures, serving as a mediator that achieves the curing function while avoiding the harmful isocyanate pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If commercially available polyurethane sealants are used, then ease of application is maintained, but elongation and tensile strength balance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoidtensile strength and elongation balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sealant by using silane polyurethane polymer with specific molecular weights and incorporating ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with controlled vinyl acetate content. These parameter changes optimize both the processing characteristics (maintaining application ease) and the mechanical properties (improving tensile strength and elongation balance) of the cured sealant.

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 sealant composition demonstrates improved tensile strength, elongation, and shear adhesion, with a moisture vapor transmission rate and heat resistance, while being free of isocyanate monomers and phthalate plasticizers.

Implementation Method 1

a silane polyurethane polymer that is free of isocyanate groups and derived from polyether

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSilane hydrolysis and condensation: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

moisture curable hot melt sealant composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a first ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a butene component having a weight average molecular weight from 30,000 Oriole to 700,000 g/mote

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

from 5% by weight to 30% by weight ethylene vinyl acetate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer chain entanglement: Cohesion

Implementation Method 5

a butene component having a weight average molecular weight from 30,000 Oriole to 700,000 g/mote, the butene component being selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, polyisobutene, polybutene, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 6

from 1% by weight to no greater than 7% by weight of a butene component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 7

filler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11466186B2Moisture curable hot melt sealant composition
Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HB FULLER CO

AI summary

A moisture curable hot melt sealant composition that includes a silane-modified polyurethane polymer that is free of isocyanate groups, a first rosin-based tackifying agent, a second tackifying agent different from the first rosin-based tackifying agent, a first ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a butene component having a weight average molecular weight from 30,000 g/mole to 700,000 g/mole and being selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, polyisobutene, polybutene, and combinations thereof; and filler.