Water-Based Adhesive for Heavy Tile Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional adhesive systems for large surface areas are inefficient, often solvent-based, contain VOCs, are flammable, and pose health and environmental hazards, while also struggling to balance cohesion and tack properties for adhering heavy materials like ceramic tiles.

Innovation Solution

Adhesive compositions comprising a mixture of polymers with varying glass transition temperatures and plasticizers, applied using low- or medium-pressure delivery systems, which provide balanced cohesive and tack properties, are environmentally friendly and effective for large surface areas, including heavy materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If solvent-based adhesive systems are used for large surface areas, then application efficiency is improved, but health and environmental hazards increase due to VOCs and flammability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidhealth and environmental hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by formulating it as a water-based system instead of solvent-based, and by carefully controlling the glass transition temperature of the polymer to achieve proper adhesion without requiring volatile organic solvents. This eliminates VOCs and flammability while maintaining application efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite formulation combining water, polymer emulsion, and plasticizer to create an adhesive that achieves the desired balance of tack and cohesion without relying on traditional solvent-based systems. This composite approach allows environmentally friendly composition while maintaining effective bonding performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If adhesive strength is increased for adhering heavy materials, then cohesive properties are improved, but tack properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecohesive strengthVSAvoidtack properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the glass transition temperature of the polymer component to achieve the optimal balance between tack and cohesion. By adjusting the polymer's Tg to a specific range, the adhesive maintains sufficient tack for initial bonding while developing adequate cohesive strength for heavy materials like ceramic tiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polymer emulsion with plasticizer, where each component contributes different properties. The polymer provides structural strength and cohesion, while the plasticizer enhances flexibility and tack, achieving a balanced performance that neither component could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If pressurized adhesive systems are used for large surface areas, then application ease is improved, but device complexity and safety concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoidpressurized system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the viscosity parameters of the adhesive formulation to enable effective application through simple tools like trowels or rollers without requiring pressurized delivery systems. By adjusting the polymer concentration and plasticizer content, the adhesive achieves optimal flow and spreading characteristics for manual application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10227512B2Multi-purpose adhesives and methods of making and using thereof
Publication Date: 2019.03.12 RAINFOREST TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Described herein are adhesives that exhibit good cohesive and tack properties. In certain aspects, the adhesives can be applied to substrates using a low- or medium-pressure delivery system. The adhesives can be readily applied to any substrate such as, for example, a floor, wall, ceiling, countertop, and the like. The adhesives are particularly effective in adhering heavy materials such as, for example ceramic tiles and wall panels to walls.