Urea Derivative Thixotropic Agent Preparation Without Carrier Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for preparing thixotropic agents using urea derivatives often require a carrier material that can migrate, leading to issues like loss of adhesion and health hazards, and require precise selection for specific applications, making them operationally inflexible and economically inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A process where amine and isocyanate components are mixed separately and sprayed together in a mixing means with a short residence time, eliminating the need for a carrier material, and allowing for flexible and economic production of thixotropic agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carrier materials are used in thixotropic agent preparation, then the thixotropic effect is achieved, but the carrier materials may migrate causing loss of adhesion and health hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidcarrier material migration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the carrier material from the thixotropic agent formulation. By using a solvent-free approach where amine and isocyanate react directly, the harmful migrating carrier is completely removed while maintaining the thixotropic effect through the urea derivative formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert reaction environment by eliminating the need for carrier materials that could migrate. The direct reaction between amine and isocyanate in controlled conditions produces a stable thixotropic agent without introducing potentially harmful migrating substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Adaptability or versatility

If carrier materials are selected for specific applications, then compatibility is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced and economic efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier material compatibilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal thixotropic agent preparation method that does not require selecting different carrier materials for specific applications. The solvent-free reaction between amine and isocyanate produces a compatible thixotropic agent for various adhesive and sealant systems without requiring application-specific carrier selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the need for expensive, application-specific carrier materials by using a simple, direct reaction approach. The temporary reactants (amine and isocyanate) are consumed in the reaction to form the final thixotropic agent, removing the need for persistent carrier materials that require precise selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If amine and isocyanate are reacted in diluted form, then exothermic heat is controlled, but the process complexity increases due to solvent selection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat controlVSAvoidsolvent selection
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the solvent from the reaction system. By conducting the amine-isocyanate reaction without solvent dilution, the process eliminates the complexity of solvent selection while managing exothermic heat through controlled addition rates and efficient heat transfer in the solvent-free system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the reaction mixture itself as the heat transfer medium, eliminating the need for a separate solvent intermediary. The reacting components serve dual purposes: as reactants and as the medium for heat dissipation, reducing process complexity while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach ensures the production of high-quality thixotropic agents without carrier material migration, providing operational flexibility and economic efficiency, while maintaining the desired properties for use in adhesives and sealants.

Implementation Method 1

the components α) and β) are supplied separately to a mixing means and are mixed with one another, the reaction mixture being discharged by spraying or squirting from the mixing means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpraying: Spray

Implementation Method 2

the preparation of a thixotropic agent on the basis of a urea derivative, where the components α) comprising at least one amine and β) comprising at least one isocyanate are supplied separately to a mixing means and are mixed with one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

the reaction mixture being discharged by spraying or squirting from the mixing means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol formation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS9376602B2Process for preparing a thixotroping agent and use thereof
Publication Date: 2016.06.28 SIKA TECH AG

AI summary

The invention provides a process for preparing a thixotropic agent based on a urea derivative, in which the components α) comprising at least one amine and β) comprising at least one isocyanate, are supplied separately to a mixing means and are mixed with one another, the reaction mixture being discharged by spraying or squirting from the mixing means. Further disclosed is the use of the thixotropic agent in a fluid system. The process is especially suitable for preparing adhesives and sealants.