Low environmental impact flexible HOSE, as well as manufacturing method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flexible hoses made from thermoplastic elastomers have limited post-consumer material content, leading to high environmental and economic impacts due to expensive production and disposal, with existing formulations either being too expensive or having low post-consumer material percentages.
Innovation Solution
A flexible hose is manufactured using a thermoplastic elastomer composition with at least 50% post-consumer material, comprising a polymer matrix, plasticizing agents, fillers, and additives, which provides a balance of mechanical properties and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermoplastic elastomers with limited post-consumer material are used, then mechanical properties are maintained, but environmental impact increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the thermoplastic elastomer by incorporating at least 50% post-consumer recycled material (such as recycled polypropylene or polyethylene) while adjusting the ratios of thermoplastic polymer, elastomeric polymer, and plasticizing agents to maintain mechanical properties. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving both high recycled content and acceptable mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite thermoplastic elastomer material combining multiple components: thermoplastic polymer (30-70%), elastomeric polymer (20-50%), and plasticizing agents (10-40%), where at least 50% of the total composition is post-consumer recycled material. This composite approach allows the material to maintain mechanical integrity while significantly reducing environmental impact through high recycled content.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoplastic elastomers with high post-consumer material content are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses post-consumer plastic materials (polypropylene, polyethylene) that would otherwise be discarded as waste. By collecting, cleaning, and reprocessing these discarded materials into thermoplastic elastomer compositions with at least 50% recycled content, the patent reduces environmental impact while the规模化 production of recycled material lowers the cost premium associated with using post-consumer material.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoplastic elastomers with high post-consumer material content are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully adjusts the parameters of the thermoplastic elastomer composition, specifically the ratios of thermoplastic polymer (30-70%), elastomeric polymer (20-50%), and plasticizing agents (10-40%), to compensate for the variable properties of recycled material. This parameter optimization ensures that even with at least 50% post-consumer content, the final product achieves acceptable mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation, and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material system where post-consumer recycled thermoplastic polymer is combined with elastomeric polymers and plasticizing agents. This composite formulation compensates for the mechanical property variations inherent in recycled materials by leveraging the complementary properties of the other components, particularly the elastomeric phase and plasticizers that enhance flexibility and toughness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A thermoplastic elastomer for manufacturing a low environmental impact flexible hose for transporting fluids, in particular liquids, consisting of (A) from 30% by weight to 80% by weight of a polymer matrix consisting of from 10% by weight to 35% by weight with respect to the total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer of a first thermoplastic part (A1) and from 20% by weight to 45% by weight with respect to the total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer of a second elastomeric part (A2); (B) from 30% by weight to 55% by weight of at least one plasticising agent; (C) from 0% to 30% by weight of at least one filler; (D) from 0% to 10% by weight of at least one additive. The thermoplastic elastomer has a Shore A hardness measured according to the UNI EN ISO 868 standard comprised between 50 Sh A and 85 Sh A and a percentage of post-consumer material according to the UNI EN ISO 14021 and UNI EN 15343 standards greater than or equal to 50%. The thermoplastic elastomer is in an amount greater than or equal to 90% by weight on the total weight of the flexible hose.