Thin layer UV curing coating on non-woven facers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for non-woven facers in construction boards with improved properties such as abrasion resistance and reduced porosity, which existing UV-curable coatings have not effectively addressed.

Innovation Solution

A UV-cured coated facer is created using a non-woven fiber mat with an intermediate coating comprising a binder and filler, followed by a filler-free UV-curable coating composition that is cured with a light source, providing excellent scratch resistance and high air resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional aqueous coating composition is used on non-woven facers, then the coating can be applied and heat cured, but the abrasion resistance and porosity reduction are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidporosity reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curing method parameter from thermal curing to UV curing, and modifies the coating composition by replacing aqueous binders with UV-curable oligomers and monomers. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of high abrasion resistance and effective porosity reduction through photopolymerization crosslinking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating system combining UV-curable oligomers, monomers, and photoinitiators on the non-woven facer. This composite material formulation provides enhanced abrasion resistance while the low-viscosity monomers penetrate and seal pores, achieving both contradictory requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing UV-curable coatings with fillers are applied, then some protective properties are achieved, but abrasion resistance and porosity reduction remain inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair resistanceVSAvoidscratch resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates filler materials from the UV-curable coating composition. By removing fillers that interfere with UV penetration and crosslinking density, the coating achieves superior abrasion and scratch resistance while maintaining effective pore sealing through the oligomer and monomer components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the coating composition parameters by using a filler-free formulation with specific oligomer to monomer ratios. This parameter optimization allows deep UV penetration for complete curing, achieving both high air resistance through pore sealing and excellent scratch resistance through dense crosslinked network formation

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 results in a facer with significantly improved abrasion resistance and air resistance, as demonstrated by high Gurley air permeation values and reduced weight loss during abrasion testing, outperforming conventional coated facers.

Implementation Method 1

a UV-curable coating composition disposed on the intermediate coating, wherein said UV-curable coating composition is essentially free of a filler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3898226B1Thin layer UV curing coating on non-woven facers
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL LLC
  • EP3898226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3898226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3898226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A UV-cured coated facer includes a non-woven mat having a first side and a second side and an intermediate coating disposed on the first side of the non-woven mat. The intermediate coating includes a coating binder and a filler. The UV-cured coated facer also includes a UV- curable coating composition disposed on the intermediate coating, wherein the UV-curable coating composition is essentially free of a filler.