Surface Stripping Agent for Water-Based Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface stripping methods for removing water-based coatings are time-consuming, have a significant environmental impact, and require multiple rinses.

Innovation Solution

A surface stripping agent comprising alkoxylated acetyl diols, perfluoroalkyl polymers, alkoxylated polydimethylsiloxanes, and sulfosuccinates, with a high proportion of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol ethers, a complexing agent like EDTA, and optional additives such as anti-foaming, antioxidant, and preservative agents, which is effective at low concentrations and can be diluted with water, optimized for single-person use and reduced environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional surface stripping methods are used, then coating removal is achieved, but the process requires high time consumption and multiple rinses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping speedVSAvoidtotal processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the stripping agent by incorporating specific glycol ethers (ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether) in optimized proportions (20-50% total), combined with complexing agents and surfactants. This parameter optimization enables faster coating dissolution and reduces the number of rinses required, directly addressing the time consumption issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite chemical formulation combining multiple functional components: glycol ethers as solvents, complexing agents (EDTA, NTA, HEDTA) for metal ion chelation, surfactants for wetting and emulsification, and wetting agents. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that accelerates stripping action and reduces post-treatment steps, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional stripping agents are used, then coating removal is effective, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the chemical parameters by using biodegradable glycol ethers instead of harsher solvents, controlling pH within 7.0-9.0 range, and limiting complexing agent content to 3-10% to prevent excessive metal chelation. These parameter modifications maintain stripping effectiveness while reducing environmental harm through safer chemical selection and controlled concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs readily biodegradable components that break down quickly in the environment. The glycol ethers, surfactants, and complexing agents are selected for their short environmental persistence, allowing the stripping agent to perform its function effectively then decompose without long-term ecological damage, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional stripping methods are used, then coating removal is achieved, but multiple rinses are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping thoroughnessVSAvoidnumber of rinsing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the formulation parameters including surfactant concentration (0.1-5%), wetting agent content (0.05-0.2%), and complexing agent proportion (3-10%) to achieve complete coating removal with minimal residue. The balanced composition ensures thorough stripping action that eliminates the need for multiple rinsing steps, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stripping agent is designed with multi-functional components: glycol ethers for solvent action, complexing agents for metal binding, surfactants for wetting and emulsification, and wetting agents for penetration. This multi-functionality allows a single application to accomplish complete coating removal with minimal residue, eliminating the need for multiple separate rinsing operations and reducing process complexity.

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

4Productivity

If conventional stripping agents are used, then coating removal works, but operator safety and ease of use are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping performanceVSAvoidoperator safety and convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts critical parameters including pH (7.0-9.0 range), temperature stability (cloud point <33°C), and chemical composition ratios to create a safer working environment. These parameter modifications maintain effective coating removal while reducing skin irritation, improving biodegradability, and enabling single-operator handling, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and ease of operation.

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 solution enables faster, more thorough, and environmentally friendly surface stripping with a single rinse, improving efficiency and reducing environmental harm.

Implementation Method 1

a complexing agent like EDTA

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

a wetting agent can be selected from the following groups of substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Data Source

PatentEP3105293B1Means for removing coating layers from surfaces
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 WETROK

AI summary

The invention relates to a means for removing coating layers from surfaces, particularly for removing water-based surface coatings, comprising the following components: a) An organic solvent selected from one of the following groups (i) ethylene glycol ether; polyethylene glycol ether, in particular diethylene glycol ether; ethylene glycol ester; propylene glycol ether; and dipropylene glycol ether; (ii) a monocyclic monoterpene; (iii) amino-methyl-propanol; (iv) methoxy-methyl-butanol; (v) dibasic ester; (vi) carbonic acid ester; (vii) gamma-butyrolactone; (viii) alkyl amides; or mixtures thereof; b) a wetting agent that is different from component a), whose proportion of the total means is in the range of 0.01-0.20 wt. %; c) a surfactant that is different from component a), which presses the surface tension of water to below 45 mN/m; d) a complexing agent that is different from component a); and e) water.