Silicone-Modified Polyurethane Fiber Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resin fibers lack excellent properties such as flexibility, slippage, blocking resistance, heat retention, water vapor permeability, water repellency, and spinnability.

Innovation Solution

The development of a silicone-modified polyurethane-based fiber, formed from a resin containing a specific reaction product of a polyol, chain extender, active hydrogen-containing organopolysiloxane, and polyisocyanate, which is synthesized using a well-known polyurethane synthesis method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If polyurethane nanofibers are produced by conventional methods, then fiber formation is achieved, but the fibers exhibit low slippage, low flexibility, and poor blocking resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidblocking resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polyurethane resin with silicone resin to create a blended fiber system. This composite approach allows the polyurethane component to provide flexibility while the silicone component contributes water repellency and blocking resistance, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and blocking resistance through material composition rather than single-material optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If silicone resin fibers are produced with three-dimensional crosslinked structure, then water repellency is improved, but flexibility and workability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater repellencyVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous fiber structure where silicone resin forms localized crosslinked regions within the polyurethane matrix. The silicone resin (0.1-50 wt%) creates discrete water-repellent domains rather than a fully crosslinked structure, allowing water repellency at specific locations while maintaining overall fiber flexibility through the continuous polyurethane phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the silicone resin content within a specific range (0.1-50 wt%) and adjusting the crosslinking density. By optimizing these parameters, the fiber achieves sufficient water repellency while preventing excessive crosslinking that would compromise flexibility. The number average molecular weight of polyurethane (10,000-200,000) is also controlled to balance processability and final fiber properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If high voltage electrostatic spinning is applied to produce extra-fine fibers, then fiber diameter is reduced, but production complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber diameterVSAvoidspinning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the polymer solution viscosity through controlled polymer concentration (5-30 wt%) and molecular weight selection. This allows the electrospinning process to produce uniform ultrafine fibers (1-100 nm) with appropriate solution rheology, reducing the need for complex process adjustments and equipment modifications

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-modified polyurethane-based fibers exhibit excellent properties including flexibility, slippage, blocking resistance, heat retention, water vapor permeability, water repellency, and spinnability, making them suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a silicone-modified polyurethane resin obtained from a reaction product of a polyol (A), a chain extender (B), an active hydrogen-containing organopolysiloxane (C), and a polyisocyanate (D)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolycondensation:

Implementation Method 2

applying a high voltage between the nozzle tip of the syringe filled with a polymer-containing solution or a polymer melt and the collector substrate, dividing the polymer into an extra-fine size by electrostatic repulsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

Curing may be performed by cooling (e.g. when the sample is liquid at high temperature), chemical curing (e.g. treating with curing vapor) or evaporating the solvent (e.g. when the sample is liquid at room temperature)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3441508B1Silicone-modified polyurethane fiber and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3441508B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3441508B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3441508B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A fiber formed from a resin including a silicone-modified polyurethane resin comprising the reaction products of a polyol (A), a chain extender (B), an active-hydrogen-group-containing organopolysiloxane (C), and a polyisocyanate (D), wherein the active-hydrogen-group-containing organopolysiloxane (C) contains an active-hydrogen-group-containing organopolysiloxane (C-1) having a carbinol group at only one terminal.