Water-Based TPE Formulation for Medical Gloves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) production methods for gloves, such as solvent-based latex dipping and vulcanization, are time-consuming and require heavy chemical usage, posing challenges in achieving reasonable tensile strength and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A water-based TPE formulation comprising styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymer latex, combined with surfactants, antioxidants, antifoaming agents, and crosslinking agents, eliminating the need for accelerators and solvent-based processes, allowing for the production of TPE gloves with improved mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solvent-based latex dipping and vulcanization are used for TPE glove production, then reasonable tensile strength can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires heavy chemical consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the base material from solvent-based latex to water-based TPE latex. This parameter change eliminates the need for solvent evaporation and traditional vulcanization processes, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining acceptable tensile strength through the inherent properties of TPE materials and optimized formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful solvent component from the traditional latex dipping process. By using water as the base instead of organic solvents, the process removes the time-consuming solvent evaporation step and reduces chemical consumption, while still achieving the desired mechanical properties through the TPE polymer structure
2Strength
If solvent-based latex dipping and vulcanization are used for TPE glove production, then reasonable tensile strength can be achieved, but heavy chemicals consumption is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the base material parameter from solvent-based to water-based TPE latex, which fundamentally reduces chemical consumption. The water-based formulation requires minimal additives compared to traditional solvent-based systems, thereby reducing overall chemicals consumption while maintaining tensile strength through optimized TPE polymer composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful solvent component into beneficial water, which is environmentally friendly and requires no special handling. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy chemical solvents and their associated disposal requirements, while the TPE material properties ensure adequate tensile strength is achieved
3Productivity
If water-based TPE formulation is used, then manufacturing time is reduced and chemicals consumption is minimized, but formulation complexity must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the formulation parameters by selecting specific ratios of TPE latex, surfactant, and crosslinking agents that simplify the overall formulation. The water-based TPE latex with controlled styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer composition (15-35% styrene, 65-85% isoprene) provides inherent stability and performance, reducing the need for complex additive packages while maintaining high production efficiency
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 TPE formulation reduces manufacturing time and cost by eliminating the need for vulcanization and maturation hours, while providing gloves with enhanced tensile strength and elongation, and minimizing protein content to prevent allergies, thus improving the production efficiency and safety of TPE gloves.
Implementation Method 1
no chemical or covalent bonding exists between both the materials
Implementation Method 2
The surfactant is any one selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactant such as monosodium N-Lauryl-betalminodipropionic acid or anionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
The antioxidant is any one selected from the group consisting of thiophenolic type antioxidant which is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(4,6-bis(octylthio)-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino)phenol
Implementation Method 4
The antifoaming agent is any one selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane, emulsion of modified silicone
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoplastic elastomeric formulation comprises (i) a water based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), (ii) a surfactant, (iii) an antioxidant, (iv) a antifoaming agent and (v) a crosslinking agent. The water based TPE is styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymer latex. A glove that is produced using the thermoplastic elastomeric formulation of the present invention is known as water based TPE gloves, such as water based TPE medical exam gloves, water based TPE household gloves and water based TPE industrial gloves in particular water based TPE surgical gloves.