Silicone Coated Architectural Glass Low Temperature Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass coatings for construction and architectural applications face challenges such as solvent use, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical instability at higher temperatures, short shelf life, insufficient adherence, and the inability to apply over vacuum-deposition metallic coatings without distorting them, limiting color choices and durability.
Innovation Solution
A 100% solids-containing flowable elastomeric composition based on crosslinked polyvinylsiloxane/liquid silicone rubber (PVS/LSR) with specific modifying agents, allowing for solventless, VOC-free application at low temperatures, providing excellent adhesion and stability up to 260°C, and enabling coating of both uncoated and metal-coated glass substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If high temperature (1400°C) is used to apply ceramic frit coating, then the coating can be applied, but the vacuum deposition metallic coating is distorted and melted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (1400°C for ceramic frit) to low temperature (below melting point of metallic coating) for the elastomeric composition application. This allows the coating to be applied without distorting or melting the underlying metallic coating, resolving the contradiction between coating application capability and metallic coating integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastomeric composition that cures at low temperatures instead of requiring high-temperature ceramic frit. This alternative material achieves the coating function without the harmful high temperature, effectively replacing the problematic high-temperature process with a low-temperature alternative that preserves the metallic coating
2Ease of manufacture
If high temperature firing is used to apply ceramic frit coating, then the coating can be applied, but the number of color choices is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing temperature parameter from high temperature to low temperature, which enables the use of a broader range of pigments and colorants that would decompose or alter at high temperatures. This resolves the contradiction by allowing diverse color choices while maintaining ease of manufacture through low-temperature curing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastomeric composition that can incorporate various pigments and colorants as additives. This composite approach allows multiple color options to be integrated into the base elastomeric material, achieving versatility in color choices while maintaining the benefits of low-temperature application
3Ease of operation
If solvent-based elastomeric compositions are used for coating glass, then the coating can be applied, but the application process is complicated and curing time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes solvents from the elastomeric composition, creating a 100% solids formulation. This extraction of the solvent component simplifies the application process by eliminating solvent-related complications and reduces curing time by eliminating the need for solvent evaporation, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and curing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the solvent evaporation mechanism with a direct crosslinking/curing mechanism. Instead of relying on mechanical evaporation of solvents over time, the composition cures through chemical crosslinking of the elastomeric polymers, which is faster and eliminates the time loss associated with solvent removal
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional elastomeric coatings are used for glass, then the coating can be applied, but adhesion is insufficient to meet four-sided structural glazing specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specifically formulated elastomeric composition that acts as an intermediary between the glass substrate and the coating requirements. This composition contains adhesion promoters and is formulated to bond effectively to glass surfaces, providing the necessary adhesion strength to meet four-sided structural glazing specifications while maintaining ease of application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite elastomeric composition that combines multiple components including adhesion promoters, crosslinking agents, and flexible polymer chains. This composite formulation achieves both strong adhesion to glass and the required flexibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adhesion strength
5Ease of operation
If current elastomeric coatings are used, then the coating can be applied, but they are chemically unstable at higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates crosslinking agents and stabilizers into the elastomeric composition before application. These preliminary additions create a crosslinked network structure that provides thermal stability, allowing the coating to maintain its chemical properties at higher temperatures while retaining ease of application at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite elastomeric system that combines thermally stable polymer backbones with crosslinking agents and heat-resistant additives. This composite structure provides chemical stability at elevated temperatures while maintaining the application benefits of elastomeric materials, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and chemical stability
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 offers rapid curing, long shelf life, environmental safety, and adherence to structural glazing specifications, enabling a wide range of colors and enhanced tensile strength while avoiding distortion of metallic coatings, thus meeting the requirements for architectural glass applications.
Implementation Method 1
A 100% solids-containing flowable elastomeric composition based on crosslinked polyvinylsiloxane/liquid silicone rubber (PVS/LSR)
Implementation Method 2
bonds to either glass substrates or to the metallic-coated side of glass substrates sufficiently to meet four-sided structural glazing specifications
Data Source
AI summary
An extremely durable, stable and fast-curing elastomeric composition suitable for coating all types of architectural glass is disclosed. The coating comprises the following components in the following approximate weight percentages: (a) 75-90 wt % of a crosslinked polyvinylsiloxane/liquid silicone rubber component which, prior to crosslinking, contains the following components: dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane; dimethylvinylated, trimethylated silica; dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethyl, methylvinyl siloxane; dimethyl, methylhydrogen siloxane; and a platinum metal complex as a catalyst; (b) 1-10 wt% of a mixture of methylhydrogen siloxane and methylhydrogen cyclosiloxanes as a coupling agent/adhesion promoter; (c) 1-10 wt% vinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane as a flowability- enhancing agent; (d) 1-10 wt% hydrogen-terminated dimethylsiloxane as a flowability-enhancing agent; and (e) 0 - 6 wt % pigment. A composite article comprising a glass substrate or metallic-coated glass substrate coated with the coating is also disclosed.