Stain Resistant Soft Touch Coating Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soft touch coatings for consumer electronic devices often exhibit poor stain resistance, limiting their application to dark substrates, and improving stain resistance typically compromises soft touch properties.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising a fluoropolymer with reactive functional groups, a polyester polyol with a hydroxyl value greater than 200 mg KOH/g, and a crosslinker, which together form a film that provides both good stain resistance and soft touch properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If soft touch coating formulations are used to achieve soft touch properties, then the coating provides a soft feel, but the stain resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoft touch propertiesVSAvoidstain resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition uses a composite system combining fluoropolymer (providing soft touch and stain resistance), polyester polyol (providing flexibility and adhesion), and crosslinker (providing network structure). This composite approach allows the coating to simultaneously achieve soft touch properties and good stain resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific parameters including hydroxyl value of polyester polyol (greater than 200 mg KOH/g), molecular weight ranges, and crosslinker ratios to achieve the desired balance between soft touch and stain resistance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the coating achieves both properties without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If stain resistance is improved in soft touch coatings, then the coating resists stains better, but the soft touch properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain resistanceVSAvoidsoft touch properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The synergistic combination of fluoropolymer, polyester polyol, and crosslinker creates a coating that simultaneously provides stain resistance and soft touch properties. The fluoropolymer component contributes to both stain resistance and soft feel, while the crosslinker maintains flexibility, resolving the contradiction between these properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges including polyester polyol hydroxyl value (greater than 200 mg KOH/g), molecular weights, and crosslinker ratios to optimize the balance between stain resistance and soft touch properties, ensuring both properties are achieved without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional soft touch coatings are applied, then the coating provides soft touch feel, but the application is restricted to dark substrates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoft touch propertiesVSAvoidsubstrate color applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fluoropolymer-based composite coating system provides inherent stain resistance that allows the coating to be applied on both light and dark substrates. The composite structure maintains soft touch properties while the fluoropolymer component provides the necessary stain resistance for light-colored substrates, expanding application versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating composition is designed to be universally applicable to various substrate colors (both light and dark) while maintaining soft touch properties. The multi-functional formulation provides simultaneous stain resistance, soft touch feel, and broad substrate compatibility, making it suitable for diverse consumer electronic devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 coating composition achieves effective stain resistance and soft touch properties, allowing its application on both dark and light-colored substrates without compromising performance.

Implementation Method 1

a fluoropolymer comprising at least one reactive functional group; a polyester polyol; and a crosslinker reactive with (a) and (b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3307802B2Stain resistant, soft touch coating compositions and coatings formed therefrom
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO INC

AI summary

A stain resistant, soft touch coating composition can include: (a) a fluoropolymer comprising at least one reactive functional group; (b) a polyester polyol; and (c) a crosslinker reactive with (a) and (b). The polyester polyol can include a reaction product obtained from a mixture of reactants including: an aliphatic diol; a polyol having 3 or more hydroxyl groups; and a cyclic polycarboxylic acid, or an anhydride or ester thereof.