Wet Surface Wax Composition Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wax compositions applied to wet automobile surfaces during car washing do not produce a long-lasting, high gloss finish and require additional buffing steps, which are labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A high water content silicone wax composition that separates into phases upon application to a wet surface, eliminating the need for a drying step and incorporating a corrosion-resistant agent, allowing for simultaneous drying and buffing, resulting in a lustrous shine and protective coating without extra effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wax compositions are applied to wet surfaces during car washing, then the wax can be applied without a separate drying step, but the wax does not produce a long-lasting high gloss finish and requires additional buffing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the wax by incorporating specific surfactants and emulsifiers that enable the wax to separate into phases upon application to wet surfaces. This parameter change allows the wax to function effectively without requiring a separate drying step while still achieving a high gloss finish, resolving the contradiction between application time and gloss quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite wax composition that combines multiple components including waxes, surfactants, emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors in specific proportions. This composite formulation enables the wax to separate into phases on wet surfaces, eliminating the need for separate drying and buffing steps while maintaining high gloss finish quality and long-lasting protection.
2Productivity
If conventional wax compositions are applied to wet surfaces, then the drying step can be eliminated, but separate buffing steps are required which are labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying and buffing functions into a single step by using a specially formulated wax composition that separates into phases on wet surfaces. The surfactant and emulsifier components enable the wax to naturally separate and buff the surface simultaneously during application, eliminating the need for separate buffing steps and reducing labor intensity while maintaining productivity benefits.
3Productivity
If wax is applied to wet surfaces without proper formulation, then application time is reduced, but water spots are produced and the protective coating is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants and emulsifiers as intermediary substances that mediate between the wax and wet surface. These intermediaries enable the wax to separate into phases on wet surfaces, preventing water spots by controlling the interaction between water and wax, while still allowing rapid application without separate drying steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the wax formulation by incorporating specific surfactants and emulsifiers in optimized concentrations. This parameter change enables the wax to behave differently on wet surfaces, allowing it to separate into phases that prevent water spot formation while maintaining rapid application capability and sufficient protective coating.
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 a high gloss finish and protective coating while eliminating the need for separate drying and buffing steps, preventing water spots and reducing application time and labor.
Implementation Method 1
the silicone emulsion separates leaving a silicone fluid (oil) as a separate phase resulting a producing a very high gloss on the exterior surface of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Conventional commercial waxes and polishes typically contain a wax dispersed in water or dissolved in a solvent
Implementation Method 3
The Fausnight et al. reference utilizes a micronized wax with an emulsifier in order to disperse the wax in a water/organic solvent emulsion containing a silicone liquid in both the organic and aqueous phases
Data Source
AI summary
A wax composition for application to a wet surfaces utilizing a polymeric emulsion with a cross-linked copolymer of acrylic acid and C10-30 alkyl acrylate whereby upon application to the surface to be waxed the hydrophilic portion of the polymer instantly collapses releasing the oil phase and providing immediate coverage of the application surface forming a film upon drying, and buffing the waxed surface with an absorbent material leaves a protective coating of wax of the surface which does not easily re-emulsify or wash off when further exposed to water.