Waterproof Moisture-Permeable TPEE Composite for Solvent-Free Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof and moisture-permeable membranes face issues with adhesion methods that can lead to environmental pollution and reduced performance due to solvent use or thermal attachment, affecting their structural integrity and moisture permeability.
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free composite material is developed using a thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer (TPEE) melt-blown non-woven fabric combined with a waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane, adhered through infrared heating and pressure, maintaining moisture permeability and enabling recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solvent adhesives are used to increase adhesion of PTFE and olefin membranes, then adhesion is improved, but environmental pollution and poor process operation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful solvent adhesive from the system and replaces it with a melt-blown non-woven fabric that provides adhesion through its own structural properties and thermal bonding, eliminating environmental pollution while maintaining bonding strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from chemical adhesive bonding to thermal bonding through controlled heating during the melt-blown process, allowing the non-woven fabric to bond to the membrane without requiring solvent adhesives
2Strength
If thermal attachment is used to adhere polyester or polyurethane membranes, then adhesion is improved, but waterproof and moisture-permeable performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal bonding locally at the bonding interface between the melt-blown non-woven fabric and the membrane, rather than thermally bonding the entire membrane structure, thereby maintaining adhesion while preserving the waterproof and moisture-permeable properties of the membrane
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining melt-blown non-woven fabric with waterproof membrane, where each layer performs its specific function: the non-woven fabric provides structural support and adhesion, while the membrane maintains waterproof and moisture-permeable properties
3Strength
If glued film is used to thermally attach membranes, then adhesion is improved, but the performance of the membrane is greatly reduced after lamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the glued film from the system and uses a melt-blown non-woven fabric that integrates with the membrane through thermal bonding, eliminating the performance degradation caused by the glued film while maintaining adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The melt-blown non-woven fabric provides its own bonding capability through thermal melting and cooling during the melt-blown process, eliminating the need for separate glued films and maintaining membrane performance
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 composite material achieves good adhesion and moisture permeability without solvent use, supporting environmental sustainability and maintaining performance throughout the product lifecycle.
Implementation Method 1
adhered through infrared heating and pressure
Implementation Method 2
adhered through infrared heating and pressure, maintaining moisture permeability
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof and moisture-permeable composite material is provided, which is composed of a waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane and a melt-blown non-woven fabric. The melting point of melt-blown non-woven fabric ranges from 80° C. to 130° C., in which the melt-blown non-woven fabric is a thermoplastic polymer which may be a thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer polymer. A method for forming a waterproof and moisture-permeable composite material includes: providing a thermoplastic polymer; performing a melt-blown process to the thermoplastic polymer by using an extruder to form a melt-blown fiber, so the melt-blown fiber on a conveyer belt with multiple meshes to form a melt-blown non-woven fabric; covering a moisture-permeable membrane on the melt-blown non-woven fabric to adhere the moisture-permeable membrane and the melt-blown non-woven fabric to form a waterproof and moisture-permeable composite material.