Radical-Reactive Silicone Elastomer for Removable Substrate Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Silicone gels used in electronic component protection are weak and easily deformed, leading to residual adhesive issues during cutting operations, causing defects and malfunctions due to their low cross-linking density and lack of flexibility, making them difficult to remove from substrates and electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A silicone elastomer cured product with radical reactivity, achieved by incorporating an unreacted radical initiator, which allows for integration with adhesives or pressure-sensitive adhesives, enabling easy removal and maintaining adhesion and conformability to substrates even during cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If silicone gels are used for protective material, then heat resistance and electrical insulating properties are improved, but physical strength and resistance to deformation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidphysical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining silicone gel with organometallic catalyst particles and crosslinking agents. This composite structure provides both the heat resistance of silicone gel and the physical strength from the crosslinked network and reinforcing particles, resolving the contradiction between softness and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the silicone gel by controlling crosslinking density, particle size distribution, and composition ratios. These parameter changes transform the material from weak and easily deformed to having adequate physical strength while maintaining heat resistance and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If silicone gels are used for conformability, then ability to conform to uneven substrate surfaces is improved, but adhesion and resistance to separation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconformabilityVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the material system: the silicone gel matrix provides local conformability to uneven surfaces, while the crosslinked network and organometallic particles provide local adhesion strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between conformability and adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If two-stage curing reaction is used, then initial curability and high temperature strength are improved, but ease of removal from substrate is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial curabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic controllability to the curing process through organometallic catalysts that can be activated or deactivated on demand. This allows the material to transition between states: initially curable and adherent, then later removable when needed, resolving the contradiction between initial curability and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If high cross-linking density is achieved, then physical strength and heat resistance are improved, but flexibility and stress buffering are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical strengthVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the crosslinking density parameter to an intermediate value that balances physical strength and flexibility. By controlling the amount and type of crosslinking agents and organometallic particles, the material achieves adequate strength while maintaining the flexibility and stress buffering characteristics needed for protective applications.

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 silicone elastomer cured product exhibits excellent heat resistance, physical strength, flexibility, and stress buffering, ensuring it remains adhered to substrates during cutting while being easily removable, thus preventing defects and ensuring effective protection of electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

the surface of the cured product has radical reactivity because an unreacted radical initiator (C2) is present in the cured product or on the surface of the cured product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical decomposition:

Data Source

PatentEP3683246B1Cured silicone elastomer having radical reactivity and use of same
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 DOW CORNING TORAY CO LTD
  • EP3683246B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3683246B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3683246B1 patent drawing

AI summary

[Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a silicone elastomer cured product having excellent heat resistance and flexibility and exhibiting good adhesion and conformity to a substrate so as not to separate from a substrate even when the cured product is cut together with the substrate while remaining easily removable from the substrate when desired, to provide a protective material for an electronic component made of this cured product, and to provide a use of this cured product. [Solution] A silicone elastomer cured product having radical reactivity obtained by curing a composition comprising (A) a chain organopolysiloxane having a curing reactive group, and optionally (B) an organohydrogen polysiloxane, (C1) a curing agent, and (D) an organopolysiloxane resin and a use therefor. The surface of the cured product has radical reactivity with, for example, an adhesive, and is easily removable along with, for example, adhesive tape after use as a protective material.