Two-Part Structural Adhesive with Epoxidized Silane

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Acrylic-based structural adhesives often exhibit lower bonding performance on composite materials, particularly those manufactured in closed molds, due to issues like plasticizer migration and adhesion defects, leading to reduced tensile shear strength and potential detachment under mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

A formulation combining a free radical polymerization initiating agent with epoxidized silane, which reduces the presence of plasticizing agents and enhances adhesion, specifically using epoxidized silanes like β-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl-triethoxysilane and functional epoxy silane oligomers, along with a peroxide-based polymerization initiator, to improve the mechanical performance of (meth)acrylate adhesives on composite substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If acrylic-based structural adhesives are used for bonding composite materials, then the polymerization profile and ease of use on unprepared surfaces are improved, but the bonding performance and tensile shear strength are reduced compared to epoxy adhesives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of use on unprepared surfacesVSAvoidbonding performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive system by incorporating specific silane coupling agents and optimizing the resin formulation to enhance bonding performance while maintaining the ease of use characteristics of acrylic adhesives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite adhesive system combining acrylic resin with silane coupling agents and other functional additives to achieve both high bonding performance on composite materials and ease of application on unprepared surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If plasticizing agents are added to the catalytic composition to improve flexibility, then the adhesion is enhanced, but the plasticizers migrate into the composite material causing adhesion defects and reducing bonding strength

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidplasticizer migration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the harmful plasticizing agents from the adhesive formulation while maintaining adhesion through alternative mechanisms provided by silane coupling agents and optimized resin composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces silane coupling agents as intermediary substances that provide adhesion enhancement without the migration problems associated with plasticizers, acting as a bridge between the adhesive and composite substrate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If surface preparation steps like abrasion and degreasing are performed to eliminate adhesion defects, then the bonding performance is improved, but the manufacturing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive formulation is designed to self-prepare the surface through chemical interaction, with the silane coupling agents and optimized resin composition enabling direct bonding to composite surfaces without requiring mechanical abrasion or chemical degreasing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly enhances the tensile shear strength of the adhesive, achieving values greater than 2 MPa, thereby improving the structural integrity and resistance to mechanical stress, water infiltration, and thermal shocks in bonded composite materials.

Implementation Method 1

This catalyst agent contains free radical polymerization initiators, and is added to the resin containing the monomer agents, to initiate polymerization, thus ensuring the cohesive junction of two materials.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The invention thus relates to a composition usable in a structural adhesive, comprising a free radical polymerization initiating agent as well as an epoxidized silane.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2944655B1Two-part structural adhesive
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 JACRET

AI summary

The invention relates to a two-component structural adhesive comprising a (meth)acrylic resin containing acrylate or methacrylate monomers, and a polymerization catalyst agent, intended to be added to said resin, comprising a free-radical polymerization initiator and an epoxy silane, said epoxy silane being between 1 and 30% by weight.