Thixotropic UV Curable Nail Gel Coating for Application and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV curable nail gels with pigments are highly viscous, making them difficult to apply and prone to pigment settling, leading to a limited shelf life and formation of hard packs, which complicates storage and application.
Innovation Solution
A UV curable nail gel composition comprising at least 35% polyfunctional polyurethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, 0.1% pigment, 0.5-10% thixotropic additive (organically-modified clay or mixed mineral clay), and optional dispersants, which maintains low shear viscosity for easy application and high shear viscosity for stability, preventing pigment settling and extending shelf life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lower viscosity gels are used to improve ease of application, then application properties improve, but shelf life deteriorates due to pigment settling and hard pack formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter dynamically through shear thinning behavior. The gel maintains low viscosity at high shear rates during application for ease of flow and application, while exhibiting high viscosity at low shear rates during storage to prevent pigment settling and extend shelf life. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of application and shelf life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic viscosity behavior through thixotropic additives. The gel's viscosity is not fixed but dynamically adjusts based on the applied shear stress. During application, the gel becomes less viscous for easy application, while during storage it returns to high viscosity to prevent settling. This dynamic property allows simultaneous optimization of both application ease and shelf life.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If high viscosity gels are used to prevent pigment settling, then shelf life improves, but ease of application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic viscosity adjustment where the gel transitions from high viscosity during storage (preventing pigment settling) to low viscosity during application (enabling easy application). The thixotropic additives enable this dynamic behavior, allowing the gel to adapt its viscosity to the operational context and resolve the contradiction between shelf life and ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter change in viscosity based on shear rate conditions. At low shear rates (storage conditions), the gel maintains high viscosity to prevent pigment settling and extend shelf life. At high shear rates (application conditions), the gel's viscosity decreases to enable easy application. This conditional parameter change allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If thixotropic additives are added to reduce high shear viscosity, then ease of application improves, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds thixotropic additives that induce parameter change in viscosity based on shear rate. These additives modify the gel's rheological properties to achieve shear thinning behavior, improving ease of application while maintaining formulation integrity. The parameter change capability allows the gel to flow easily during application while maintaining structure during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel formulation by combining base gel components with thixotropic additives. This composite approach integrates the shear thinning functionality into the gel matrix, achieving improved ease of application through a unified formulation rather than separate additives, thereby managing formulation complexity.
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 composition allows for easy and efficient application by both professionals and non-professionals, provides a wear-resistant finish, and significantly extends the shelf life of the nail gel by preventing pigment settling and hard pack formation, while reducing solvent usage and associated vapors.
Implementation Method 1
impart a reduction in high shear viscosity
Implementation Method 2
impart stability to pigmented low viscosity UV curable gel coatings
Implementation Method 3
radiation-curable gels useful for cosmetic adornment
Data Source
AI summary
A composition, method, and use of a UV curable, thixotropic, radiation curable, low viscosity gel is described. The composition is comprised of thixotropic additive(s) and in some cases dispersants for additional dispersion stability. The thixotropic pigmented gel has prolonged shelf life and long time storage at ambient conditions. It also contains negligible amounts of unreactive solvent. The thixotropic additive also changes the rheological properties of the gel, which allows the nail gel to be easily applied to nails at a lower viscosity due to shear thinning.