Urethane Methacrylate Prepreg Resin Composition Room Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prepreg resin compositions using epoxy resins face challenges in workability and molding properties at room temperature, requiring refrigerated storage and insufficient for forming molded articles with excellent heat resistance and interlayer shear strength.

Innovation Solution

A prepreg resin composition containing a specific urethane (meth)acrylate reaction product of polyisocyanate, polyol, and hydroxy alkyl (meth)acrylate, combined with a polymerization initiator and reinforcing fibers, which improves workability and molding properties, enabling the formation of molded articles with enhanced heat resistance and interlayer shear strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If epoxy resin is used for prepreg, then stability at room temperature is achieved, but workability and molding properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability at room temperatureVSAvoidworkability and molding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using urethane (meth)acrylate instead of epoxy resin, and by controlling the gel fraction within 30-70 wt%. This parameter change maintains room temperature stability while improving workability and molding properties, as the urethane (meth)acrylate system allows for better processing characteristics and mold filling behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining urethane (meth)acrylate with specific gel fraction characteristics. This composite approach integrates the stability benefits of crosslinked urethane structures with the processability advantages of controlled gel fractions, achieving both room temperature stability and improved workability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If urethane (meth)acrylate compound is used to achieve high productivity, then productivity is improved, but workability and molding properties become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh productivityVSAvoidworkability and molding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the gel fraction parameter to 30-70 wt%, which fundamentally changes the material's flow and processing characteristics. This parameter optimization enables the high-productivity urethane (meth)acrylate system to achieve both rapid curing and excellent workability, as the controlled gel fraction prevents premature setting while maintaining high reactivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If prepreg is cured at room temperature, then stability is maintained, but storage conditions become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstorage conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curing temperature parameter from room temperature to elevated temperatures (typically 80-150°C). This parameter change allows the material to remain stable during storage at ambient conditions while enabling complete curing and optimal performance through thermal activation, eliminating the need for refrigerated storage.

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 proposed composition allows for the production of molded articles with superior heat resistance and interlayer shear strength, suitable for various structural applications, including automotive, aerospace, and construction materials, while maintaining stability at room temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a urethane (meth)acrylate (A) that is a reaction product of polyisocyanate (a1), polyol (a2), and hydroxy alkyl (meth)acrylate (a3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a polymerization initiator (B), as an essential component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11479630B2Prepreg resin composition, prepreg, and molded article
Publication Date: 2022.10.25 DIC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a prepeg resin composition, containing: a urethane (meth)acrylate (A) that is a reaction product of polyisocyanate (a1), polyol (a2), and hydroxy alkyl (meth)acrylate (a3); and a polymerization initiator (B), as an essential component, in which the polyisocyanate (a1) is at least one polyisocyanate selected from 2,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, a carbodiimide modified product of 4,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, and polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanate, and the polyol (a2) has an aromatic-ring and an oxyalkylene structure. The prepreg resin composition of the invention is excellent in workability and molding properties, and is capable of forming a molded article excellent in various physical properties such as external appearance and heat resistance, and thus, can be preferably used in a prepreg and a molded article thereof.