Water-Based Polyamide Coating Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymer-based synthetic coatings for aluminum substrates face challenges in achieving high polyamide content while maintaining suitable viscosity for industrial coil coating processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to thick coating layers and high energy requirements.

Innovation Solution

The development of water-based synthetic polymer coating compositions with higher polyamide content, using polyamide 11 or 12, and incorporating cross-linkers like polyisocyanates, which maintain low viscosity and form thinner, more efficient coatings suitable for coil coating processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high levels of polyamide are incorporated into synthetic polymer coating formulations, then flexibility, abrasion resistance and UV exposure tolerance are improved, but viscosity increases making the formulation unsuitable for coil coating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating performance (flexibility, abrasion resistance, UV tolerance)VSAvoidviscosity suitability for coil coating
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic to water-based, which fundamentally alters the viscosity characteristics of the coating formulation. Water-based polyamide dispersions maintain lower viscosity even at high polyamide concentrations (30-70% by weight), enabling coil coating application while achieving the desired flexibility, abrasion resistance, and UV tolerance in the cured coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high polyamide content is used to improve coating properties, then coating quality improves, but coating thickness increases which decreases process efficiency and increases costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating quality (flexibility, abrasion resistance, UV tolerance)VSAvoidcoating process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By switching to a water-based dispersion system, the patent decouples the relationship between polyamide concentration and coating thickness. High polyamide content (30-70% by weight) can be achieved while maintaining appropriate coating thickness because water-based dispersions have lower viscosity and better flow characteristics, allowing for thinner, more efficient coatings that cure to the desired properties without excessive material application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high polyamide content is used to achieve desired coating properties, then coating performance improves, but drying time and energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating performance (flexibility, abrasion resistance, UV tolerance)VSAvoiddrying energy requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from an organic solvent-based system to a water-based dispersion system, which fundamentally changes the evaporation and drying characteristics. Water-based coatings typically have lower flash points and faster evaporation rates, reducing the energy and time required for the drying and curing process while still achieving high polyamide content (30-70% by weight) for optimal flexibility, abrasion resistance, and UV tolerance.

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 water-based coatings achieve improved flexibility, abrasion resistance, and UV resistance with reduced thickness and drying time, increasing processing speed and reducing material and energy costs, while maintaining high polyamide content without viscosity issues.

Implementation Method 1

the composition also contains a cross-linking agent for the hydroxyl groups-containing polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the composition contains 40-60% by weight of an organic solvent for the hydroxyl groups-containing polymer, which organic solvent has a boiling point of 140°C-310°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3280763B2Water-based coating compositions and related products and processes
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 NOVELIS INC(US)
  • EP3280763B2 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3280763B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3280763B2 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed are improved water-based, polyamide-containing synthetic polymer coating compositions and related products and processes. The coating composition comprises 1 to 40% dry weight of polyamide powder, and can contain higher polyamide content than organic solvent-based coating products containing polyamide and polyurethane. The improved coating compositions are suitable for coating of metal substrates, such as aluminum sheets and panels. The improved coating compositions are also suitable for industrial coil coating processes, forming a thin and uniform coating layer when applied to a metal substrate, such as an aluminum sheet surface. Methods and processes related to production and uses of the coating compositions are described, as well as products produced by the processes using the coating compositions, such as roller shutters and architectural panels.