Coating composition and its uses
Solution Overview
Problem
Silicone-based synthetic leather composite materials face challenges in maintaining gloss after abrasion, with existing topcoats either decreasing or increasing gloss due to abrasive interactions, which affects their appearance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A hydrosilylation curable silicone elastomer composition is developed, containing organopolysiloxane polymers, reinforcing silica fillers, a silicone resin cross-linker, a hydrosilylation catalyst, and silicon-free organic microparticles, which forms a highly crosslinked matrix to minimize gloss changes after abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional silicone-based topcoat is applied to synthetic leather, then flexibility and skin-friendliness are improved, but gloss is lost after abrasion due to adhesive contact between abrasive asperities and the silicone surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a topcoat with non-uniform surface properties through the incorporation of microparticles. The microparticles are distributed throughout the silicone matrix and become exposed on the surface after abrasion, creating localized regions of different hardness and friction characteristics. This allows the surface to resist adhesive contact with abrasive asperities while maintaining the underlying flexibility of the silicone-based material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining silicone rubber with inorganic microparticles (such as silica, alumina, or titania) to create a multi-phase topcoat system. The silicone matrix provides flexibility and skin-friendliness, while the dispersed microparticles provide abrasion resistance and gloss retention. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both the softness of silicone and the durability of inorganic particles simultaneously.
2Strength
If the topcoat surface is made harder to resist abrasion, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the surface becomes less flexible and loses its soft hand-feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a topcoat with non-uniform surface properties through the incorporation of microparticles. The microparticles are distributed throughout the silicone matrix and become exposed on the surface after abrasion, creating localized regions of different hardness and friction characteristics. This allows the surface to resist adhesive contact with abrasive asperities while maintaining the underlying flexibility of the silicone-based material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining silicone rubber with inorganic microparticles (such as silica, alumina, or titania) to create a multi-phase topcoat system. The silicone matrix provides flexibility and skin-friendliness, while the dispersed microparticles provide abrasion resistance and gloss retention. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both the softness of silicone and the durability of inorganic particles simultaneously.
3Illumination intensity
If repeated frictional interactions smooth the rough surface, then gloss increases due to decreased surface roughness, but the natural textured appearance of the leather is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a topcoat with non-uniform surface properties through the incorporation of microparticles. The microparticles are distributed throughout the silicone matrix and become exposed on the surface after abrasion, creating localized regions of different hardness and friction characteristics. This allows the surface to resist adhesive contact with abrasive asperities while maintaining the underlying flexibility of the silicone-based material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of abrasion (which normally smooths the surface and changes appearance) into a beneficial effect. The microparticles in the topcoat are designed to be exposed or become more prominent after abrasion, so that the wearing process itself reveals the gloss-retaining particles. This transforms the damage of abrasion into a mechanism that activates the gloss-protection function of the microparticles.
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 composition effectively maintains the original gloss of the synthetic leather composite materials after abrasion, providing enhanced abrasion resistance and durability without detrimental effects on flexibility or touch compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
hydrosilylation curable silicone elastomer composition
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a leather coating composition comprising or consisting of a hydrosilylation curable silicone elastomer composition designed to be used as a topcoat for a synthetic leather material, particularly a silicone-based synthetic leather composite material. A silicone coating as a topcoat for a synthetic leather material which is the cured product of the composition, methods of making the topcoat, synthetic leather material utilizing same and uses of said synthetic leather material products are also disclosed. The topcoat is designed to provide a highly crosslinked silicone matrix containing silicon-free organic micro-particles to minimise or at least decrease change in gloss after abrasion.