Silicone-Polyether Copolymer Sealant Cure Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silane modified polyethers used in sealants suffer from undesirable cure speeds and lesser heat stability, often undergoing unintended side reactions during curing.

Innovation Solution

A silicone-polyether copolymer is developed, formulated as X g -Y, where Y is a linear or branched polyether moiety and X is an independently selected silicone moiety, prepared by reacting a polyether compound with an organosilicon compound in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, and used in a sealant with a condensation reaction catalyst to enhance curing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional silane modified polyethers are used in sealants, then the sealant can be formulated with hybrid materials, but the cure speed becomes undesirably slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid material formulationVSAvoidcure speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a copolymer comprising a polyether segment and a silicone segment (X g -Y structure) to create a hybrid material that combines the benefits of both polyether and silicone chemistries. This composite structure enables fast curing through the silicone component while maintaining the flexibility and adhesion properties of the polyether component, thus resolving the contradiction between hybrid formulation capability and cure speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional silane modified polyethers are used in sealants, then hybrid materials can be utilized, but heat stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid material utilizationVSAvoidheat stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone-polyether copolymer combines the thermal stability of silicone segments with the flexibility of polyether segments. The silicone moiety (X) provides excellent heat resistance and compositional stability, while the polyether moiety (Y) maintains the desired flexibility and adhesion, thus achieving both hybrid material utilization and superior heat stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The copolymer structure distributes different functional properties to different segments: the silicone segments (X) are positioned to provide heat stability and structural integrity, while the polyether segments (Y) provide flexibility and adhesion. This local assignment of qualities within the molecular structure enables the material to simultaneously exhibit both hybrid characteristics and enhanced heat stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional silane modified polyethers are used in sealants, then hybrid chemistry benefits are achieved, but unintended side reactions occur during curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid chemistry benefitsVSAvoidcuring process reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a specific copolymer architecture (X g -Y) with controlled stoichiometry and molecular weight parameters to regulate the curing reaction. By optimizing the ratio of silicone to polyether segments and controlling the functional group density, the patent achieves reliable curing without side reactions while maintaining the benefits of hybrid chemistry.

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-polyether copolymer improves cure speed and heat stability of sealants, reducing the occurrence of side reactions and providing a more effective sealing solution.

Implementation Method 1

reacting a polyether compound having two terminal unsaturated groups and an organosilicon compound in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst to give the silicone-polyether copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrosilylation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

A sealant is also disclosed. The sealant comprises a condensation reaction catalyst and further comprises the silicone-polyether copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3645640B1Silicone-polyether copolymer, method of preparing same, and sealant comprising same

Publication Date: 2024.03.06 DOW SILICONES CORP

AI summary

A silicone-polyether copolymer has the formula Xg-Y, where each X is an independently selected silicone moiety having a particular structure, Y is a linear or branched polyether moiety, and subscript g is on average more than 1. A method of preparing the silicone-polyether copolymer comprising reacting a polyether compound and an organosilicon compound in the presence of a hydrosilylation-reaction catalyst. A sealant is also disclosed, the sealant comprising the silicone-polyether copolymer and a condensation-reaction catalyst.