Waterproof Urethane Adhesive with Silane Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pressure-sensitive adhesives used in flooring applications are sensitive to elevated concrete moisture and alkalinity, leading to degradation and costly repairs, as they lack alkaline and waterproof properties.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a urethane component, silane components, a reinforcing extender, and a thixotropic agent, with a methylethylketoximino (MEKO) silane that delays cure transition, allowing for extended tack-free time and improved pH resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water-born adhesive formulations are used, then environmental safety is improved, but sensitivity to elevated concrete moisture and alkalinity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidresistance to moisture and alkalinity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite adhesive formulation combining polyacrylic acid polymer, silane crosslinking agent, and water-born components. This composite structure provides both environmental safety of water-born adhesives and resistance to moisture/alkalinity through silane crosslinking that creates a chemically resistant network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of water-born adhesives by incorporating silane crosslinking agents that react to form a three-dimensional network. This changes the adhesive from a simple polymer solution to a crosslinked gel structure that resists hydrolysis and alkaline degradation while maintaining water-based formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If pressure sensitive adhesives are used for flooring applications, then ease of installation is improved, but adhesion strength under elevated moisture conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is formulated to undergo preliminary silane crosslinking upon contact with moisture, creating a strong chemical bond network before the flooring material is fully installed. This preliminary chemical action ensures strong adhesion while maintaining the pressure-sensitive application method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical adhesion (pressure-sensitive bonding) with chemical adhesion through silane crosslinking. The silane groups react with hydroxyl groups on the substrate to form covalent bonds, substituting mechanical bonding with chemical bonding for enhanced strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional adhesives are used, then cost is reduced, but repair costs increase due to degradation from moisture and alkalinity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive costVSAvoidrepair cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive formulation includes silane crosslinking agents that create a moisture-resistant and alkali-resistant network in advance, cushioning against future degradation from concrete moisture and alkalinity. This prevents bond failure before it occurs, avoiding costly repairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effects of concrete moisture and alkalinity into beneficial crosslinking reactions. The moisture that would normally degrade conventional adhesives instead triggers silane hydrolysis and condensation, forming a crosslinked network that enhances adhesion and resistance to the same moisture and alkalinity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 adhesive composition provides a durable, permanent bond with extended tack-free time, maintaining adhesion and resistance to moisture and alkalinity, reducing repair costs and installation challenges.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive may be used, for example, to form a chemical bond between flooring materials and concrete substrates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a cured mixture comprising a urethane component, a first silane component, a second silane component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a thixotropic agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThixotropy: Thixotropy

Implementation Method 4

to form a chemical bond between flooring materials and concrete substrates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10308847B1Pressure sensitive, waterproof adhesive compositions

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 DICKENS CARROLL BENFORD

AI summary

Pressure sensitive and waterproof urethane-based adhesive compositions and methods of preparing said compositions. A silane is added to a prepolymer urethane to react with the urethane and at least partially end-cap the urethane. A reinforcing extender and a thixotropic agent are added to the composition. Methylethylketoximino (MEKO) silane is further added to the composition. When applied to a substrate, the adhesive composition has a tack-free time of at least about 90-120 minutes. The adhesive is cured to a final product that is waterproof, hydrolytically stable, and pH resistant.