UV-Curing Coating Composition with Modified Polyol for Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UV-curing coating compositions based on urethane (meth)acrylates from polycaprolactone polyols lack flexibility and toughness, especially when incorporating matting agents, leading to films with poor flexing properties and potential cracking, while maintaining chemical resistance and hardness.

Innovation Solution

A UV-curing coating composition comprising 40-70% urethane (meth)acrylate, 20-50% reactive diluent, and 0.5-10% photoinitiator, with a polycaprolactone polyol having alkoxy units as an intermediate, and optionally 1-15% matting agents, such as haptic matting agents, to achieve improved hardness, flexibility, and resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If matting agents are incorporated into UV-curing coating compositions to achieve soft haptic properties, then haptic quality is improved, but flexing properties deteriorate leading to cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic propertiesVSAvoidflexing properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polyol component by introducing alkoxy units (ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy) into the polycaprolactone polyol structure. This modifies the urethane (meth)acrylate properties to achieve a balance between haptic softness and flexing resistance, preventing cracking while maintaining soft feel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional urethane (meth)acrylates are used to achieve chemical resistance and hardness, then resistance properties are improved, but flexibility and toughness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite molecular structure by combining polycaprolactone polyol with alkoxy units, polyisocyanate adducts, and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate. This composite approach integrates the chemical resistance of conventional urethane (meth)acrylates with the flexibility provided by the modified polyol structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If polycaprolactone polyols are used in UV-curing coating compositions, then chemical resistance is improved, but flexing properties worsen leading to poor film flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidflexing properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polycaprolactone polyol by incorporating alkoxy units (ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy) into its structure. This parameter change in the polyol composition alters the resulting urethane (meth)acrylate properties, simultaneously maintaining chemical resistance while improving film flexibility and toughness.

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 composition provides soft films with excellent hardness, flexibility, and chemical resistance, including scratch resistance, while maintaining haptic properties and preventing cracking, making it suitable for electronic devices, automotive interiors, and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

UV-curing coating composition comprising (a) at least one urethane (meth)acrylate, (b) at least one reactive diluent and (c) at least one photoinitiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3227396B1Radiation curing coating composition
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 INGEVITY UK LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a UV-curing coating composition comprising (a) 40-70% by weight of at least one urethane (meth)acrylate being a product of a reaction between at least one polycaprolactone polyol (al) and at least one adduct (a2), said adduct (a2) being a product of a reaction between at least one polyisocyanate (a3) and at least one hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate (a4), said polycaprolactone polyol (al) being a product of a reaction between at least one polyalkoxylated polyol (a5) and at least one caprolactone monomer (a6), (b) 20-50%> by weight of at least one reactive diluent having at least one olefinic carbon-carbon double bond, and (c) 0.5-10%) by weight of at least one photoinitiator, and optionally (d) 1-15% by weight of at least one matting agent.