Silicone-Polyether Copolymer Sealants With Tunable Cure Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional silane modified polyethers in sealants have undesirable cure speeds that cannot be selectively controlled, and maximizing cure speed often compromises performance properties, making it difficult to optimize both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a silicone-polyether copolymer with a specific formula, prepared by reacting a polyether compound, a chain extending organosilicon compound, and different endcapping organosilicon compounds in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, which allows for controlled cure speed and improved performance properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional silane modified polyethers are used in sealants, then the sealant can be formulated with these materials, but the cure speed is undesirable and cannot be selectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the polyether component through copolymerization with silicone. By varying the molar ratios of different silicone moieties (formula I and formula II) and adjusting the polyether chain structure, the cure speed can be selectively controlled and tuned to match desired performance properties, resolving the inability to control cure speed with conventional materials.
2Speed
If high concentrations of catalysts are used to maximize cure speed, then the cure speed increases, but performance properties of the cured product are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the chemical parameters of the base polymer rather than relying on catalyst concentration. The silicone-polyether copolymer structure inherently provides tunable reactivity through its compositional parameters (molar ratios of silicone moieties), allowing cure speed optimization without compromising cured product performance properties such as mechanical strength and elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach by creating a hybrid silicone-polyether copolymer that combines the benefits of both silicone and polyether chemistries. This composite molecular structure enables independent optimization of cure characteristics and final product performance, avoiding the trade-off present in conventional single-chemistry systems.
3Productivity
If it is difficult or impossible to optimize cure speed and performance properties simultaneously with conventional materials, then material selection is limited, but the invention enables optimization of both parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables simultaneous optimization of cure speed and performance properties by introducing multiple可调 parameters in the copolymer structure. The molar ratios of silicone moieties (formula I and II), the polyether chain characteristics, and the copolymer composition can be independently adjusted to achieve desired balances between cure rate and final product performance, providing unprecedented formulation flexibility.
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 composition enables tunable cure speed and optimized mechanical properties of the cured product, such as modulus and elongation, by adjusting the molar ratio of different silicone moieties, enhancing the performance of sealants.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a polyether compound having on average more than one terminal unsaturated group, optionally a chain extending organosilicon compound, a first endcapping organosilicon compound, and a second endcapping organosilicon compound different from the first endcapping organosilicon compound, in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst to prepare the composition comprising the at least one silicone-polyether copolymer
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A composition comprises at least one silicone-polyether copolymer having the average formula Xg[ZjYo]c, where each X is an independently selected silicone moiety having a particular structure, each Y is an independently selected polyether moiety, each Z is an independently selected organosilicon moiety, subscript c is from 1 to 150, subscript g is >1, subscript j is independently 0 or 1, and subscript o is independently 0 or 1, with the provisos that 1≤j+o≤2 in each moiety indicated by subscript c and that there is at least one moiety indicated by subscript c in which subscript o is 1. A method of preparing the composition is also disclosed, along with a sealant formed therewith.