Styrene-Based Adhesive Layer for Self-Adhesive Floor Covering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-adhesive floor coverings made of elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer struggle with optimal bonding strength and handling due to limitations in adhesive solutions, particularly when applied to non-dry substrates, leading to unreliable adhesion and increased installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhesive floor covering with a base layer comprising an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer and an adhesive layer made of styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, which includes pressure-sensitive or hot-melt adhesives, such as styrene block copolymers, providing enhanced peel resistance and allowing for easy application without the need for additional adhesive application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid dispersion adhesives are used for bonding elastomer floor coverings, then the adhesive can be applied during installation, but the bond strength and reliability are insufficient especially on non-dry substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is pre-applied to the floor covering backside during manufacturing, eliminating the need for adhesive application during installation. This preliminary action ensures optimal adhesive properties and allows the adhesive to cure properly before installation, resulting in superior bond strength and reliability even on non-dry substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a specifically formulated adhesive composition with controlled viscosity and tack properties that can be pre-applied as a coating. The adhesive parameters are optimized to provide immediate bonding capability upon installation while maintaining reliability on substrates with varying moisture content.
2Ease of operation
If self-adhesive floor coverings are used, then installation is simplified, but the adhesive must work reliably under various boundary conditions including non-dry substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite adhesive system combining rubber-based adhesive with specific polymers and additives that provide both ease of application and reliable performance under varying boundary conditions. The composite formulation includes tackifiers, resins, and plasticizers that work synergistically to maintain adhesive performance on non-dry substrates while preserving installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive composition is specifically designed with parameter ranges that optimize both handling properties during installation and bonding reliability under various environmental conditions. The viscosity, tack, and curing characteristics are tuned to provide immediate bond strength while accommodating substrate moisture variations.
3Productivity
If adhesive is applied manually during installation, then flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is pre-applied and pre-cured during manufacturing, eliminating the need for adhesive application and drying time during installation. This preliminary action allows the floor covering to be installed immediately by simply pressing it onto the substrate, dramatically reducing installation time and increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention skips the adhesive application step entirely during installation by using a pre-coated self-adhesive floor covering. This eliminates the time-consuming processes of adhesive application, spreading, and drying/waiting, allowing installers to proceed directly to positioning and pressing the floor covering into place.
4Reliability
If more adhesive material is used to ensure bond strength, then adhesion improves, but material costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is formulated with optimized concentration and composition parameters that maximize bonding efficiency. The specific polymer blend and additive package provide high bond strength per unit area, reducing the total amount of adhesive material needed while maintaining or improving bond reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite adhesive formulation includes high-performance polymers and functional additives that enhance bonding efficiency. This allows achieving superior adhesion with reduced material consumption, as the composite system provides stronger bond per unit mass compared to conventional adhesive formulations.
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 ensures strong, reliable adhesion to various substrates, including non-dry surfaces, simplifies installation by eliminating the need for separate adhesive application, reduces material and labor costs, and enhances durability for heavy-duty use in buildings and vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer (3) arranged on a first side (1a) of the base layer (2), which has an adhesive for connecting the floor covering to a substrate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-adhesive floor covering comprising a support layer containing a polymer composition which includes an elastomer and/or a thermoplastic elastomer: The floor covering comprises on a first side of the support layer an adhesive layer which has an adhesive for connecting the floor covering with a base. The floor covering is characterized in that the adhesive comprises a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer. The invention further relates to a method for producing a self-adhesive floor covering.