White Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive for Roofing Membranes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current white pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes for polymeric roofing membranes lack the strength and mechanical properties of black tapes and require significant cure time, making them inefficient and costly, while also being thermoset and non-reprocessable.

Innovation Solution

A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a blend of butyl rubber, an olefinic polymer, titanium dioxide filler, and an unfunctionalized phenolic resin, processed without isocyanate, which is heat-processable and can be manufactured continuously, providing a strong and efficient seaming solution for white roofing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If white pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are used with white roofing membranes, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but mechanical strength and reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of butyl rubber base polymer, phenolic resin crosslinker, and zinc oxide catalyst. This composite formulation achieves both white color (titanium dioxide pigment) and high mechanical strength through the synergistic interaction of components, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using zinc oxide as a catalyst instead of traditional isocyanates, and employs phenolic resin as a crosslinking agent. These parameter changes enable the adhesive to achieve high strength properties while maintaining white color, overcoming the traditional trade-off between color and mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If white adhesive tape compositions are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but cure time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curing mechanism by using zinc oxide as a catalyst with phenolic resin, which enables faster cure times compared to traditional isocyanate-based systems. This parameter change in the chemical composition allows the adhesive to cure quickly while maintaining white color, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and cure time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If thermoset adhesive compositions are used, then initial strength is improved, but reprocessability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial strengthVSAvoidreprocessability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by using zinc oxide as a catalyst instead of isocyanates, which creates a thermoplastic or reprocessable adhesive system. This parameter change allows the adhesive to achieve high initial strength while maintaining reprocessability, overcoming the traditional trade-off between strength and adaptability.

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 solution offers a strong, efficient, and reprocessable white adhesive tape with desirable tack and mechanical properties, eliminating the need for extensive curing and reducing manufacturing costs, while maintaining high whiteness and reflectivity.

Implementation Method 1

charging a halogenated butyl rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, and an unfunctionalized phenolic resin to a reaction extruder, charging a metal oxide to the reaction extruder, and charging a filler that includes titanium dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2935501B1Extrudable pressure sensitive non-black adhesive composition and methods for preparing the same
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 FIRESTONE BUILDING PROD CO LLC
  • EP2935501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2935501B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2935501B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A pressure-sensitive adhesive polymeric composition comprising the blend or reaction product of butyl rubber, an olefinic polymer component, filler that includes titanium dioxide, and an unfunctionalized phenolic resin, where the composition is devoid of isocyanate or isocyanate residue.