Waterborne Coating Composition with Alkylated Melamine Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waterborne coating compositions face limitations in storage, processing, and handling, and traditional solvent-borne coatings emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributing to air pollution, necessitating a low foaming, high-gloss, and high-hardness coating solution.

Innovation Solution

A waterborne coating composition is developed using a crosslinkable component with 20-80% water and a crosslinking component comprising alkylated melamines unreactive to polyisocyanates, mixed without acid catalysts, and cured at 80-200°C to form a hard, glossy layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If waterborne coating compositions are used to reduce VOC emissions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but foam formation and gassing resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC emissionsVSAvoidgassing resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating system by using alkylated melamines with specific reactivity characteristics and adjusting the water content to 20-80% in the crosslinkable component. These parameter changes enable the formulation of waterborne coatings that maintain gassing resistance while reducing VOC emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite crosslinking system combining alkylated melamines and polyisocyanates. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the melamine provides structural framework and the isocyanate forms crosslinks, achieving both low foam formation and high gassing resistance in waterborne coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If waterborne coating compositions are used to reduce VOC emissions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but coating gloss and hardness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC emissionsVSAvoidcoating gloss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high gloss in waterborne coatings by optimizing the water content parameter (20-80%) and selecting specific alkylated melamine compounds. These parameter changes allow the coating to form a smooth, reflective surface despite the presence of water, which typically compromises gloss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite crosslinking system of alkylated melamines and polyisocyanates creates a dense, uniform coating matrix that enhances light reflection. This composite approach maintains high gloss by ensuring uniform crosslinking and smooth surface formation, overcoming the typical gloss reduction associated with waterborne systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If waterborne coating compositions are used to reduce VOC emissions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but coating hardness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC emissionsVSAvoidcoating hardness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high hardness in waterborne coatings by changing the crosslinking parameters - specifically using alkylated melamines with controlled reactivity and optimizing the water content to 20-80%. These parameter changes enable the formation of a highly crosslinked, hard coating matrix despite the waterborne nature of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite crosslinking system combining alkylated melamines and polyisocyanates creates a highly crosslinked three-dimensional network. This composite approach significantly enhances coating hardness by forming numerous crosslinks that restrict polymer chain mobility and increase crosslink density, overcoming the typical softness associated with waterborne coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Illumination intensity

If traditional solvent-borne coatings are used to achieve high gloss and hardness, then coating appearance is improved, but VOC emissions and air pollution deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating glossVSAvoidVOC emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic solvents to water, with water content controlled at 20-80% in the crosslinkable component. This parameter change eliminates VOC emissions while maintaining coating gloss through optimized water content and selection of appropriate alkylated melamine compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite crosslinking system of alkylated melamines and polyisocyanates provides a mechanism to achieve high gloss without organic solvents. The crosslinks created by this composite system ensure proper film formation and surface smoothness, maintaining aesthetic appearance while using environmentally friendly waterborne chemistry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Object-affected harmful factors

If waterborne coating compositions are used to reduce VOC emissions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but foam formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC emissionsVSAvoidfoam formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces foam formation in waterborne coatings by changing the chemical composition parameters - specifically using alkylated melamines with controlled reactivity and optimizing water content to 20-80%. These parameter changes reduce the tendency for foam formation during application and curing while maintaining low VOC emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite crosslinking system of alkylated melamines and polyisocyanates creates a formulation that is less prone to foaming. The specific interaction between these components, combined with the water content optimization, reduces gas entrapment and foam formation during the coating process, addressing a common issue with waterborne systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution results in a coating with improved gloss, distinctness of image, and hardness while minimizing VOC emissions and foam formation, enhancing gassing resistance and coating properties.

Implementation Method 1

one or more polyisocyanates each having two or more free isocyanate crosslinking functional groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

curing said wet coating layer at a temperature in a range of from 80° C. to 200° C. to form said coating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal curing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9587140B2Low foaming waterborne coating composition and use thereof
Publication Date: 2017.03.07 AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS IP CO LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a waterborne coating composition having neutral pH that is low foaming and forms dry coating layer that has high hardness and high gloss. This disclosure is further directed to a coating composition comprising a crosslinking component comprising: (a) one or more alkylated melamines that are essentially unreactive to a polyisocyanate; and (b) a polyisocyanate. The coating composition can be particularly suitable for vehicle coatings and other industrial or consumer applications.