Patent Application
20150175767
The calculation of the amount of biobased content in the material or product is important for ascertaining whether the material or product, when used in commercial construction, would qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Incentives for LEED certification include marketing assistance, tax credits, structural incentives (expedited permitting processes), and more. However, it is not desirable to sacrifice physical properties, such as hardness, in order to achieve such standards.
Several approaches have been taken in the past in attempts to harden wood surfaces. These attempts have included the application of surface coatings such as varnish and impregnation of the wood with various materials. Hardness is impacted by surface layers as well as underlying layers. There have been attempts to harden surface layers by impregnating wood with various materials, such as monomer blends, and monomer blends containing polymers. However, such blends are limited, in the amount of polymer capable of being absorbed by the wood. Thus, known impregnated monomer blends fail to sufficiently harden wood surfaces.
An impregnation composition that increases the hardness of a cellulosic material and meets sustainability standards would be desired in the art.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and a reaction product of a composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; a biobased component; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with said composition. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate is derived from the Acer genus or Quercus genus. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises a lactide.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a flooring system comprising a plurality of any one of the impregnated products described herein,
In some embodiments, the impregnation composition provides increased hardness to the impregnated product.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and a composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; a biobased component; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with said composition.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description.
As used herein, the terms “internal void” or “internal voids” refer to cavities within the cellulosic substrate.
As used herein, the term “available internal voids” refers to the cavities within the cellulosic substrate that are able to absorb and retain an impregnation composition.
As used herein, the terms “biobased component” and “biobased material” refer to organic materials having an acrylic or epoxy functional group, which contain an amount of non-fossil carbon sourced from biomass, such as plants, agricultural crops, wood waste, animal waste, fats, and oils, which have a different radioactive C14 signature than those produced from fossil fuels. Biobased materials may not necessarily be derived 100% from biomass. Generally, the amount of biobased content in the biobased material is the amount of biobased carbon in the material or product as a fraction weight (mass) or percentage weight (mass) of total organic carbon in the material or product. ASTM D6866 (2005) describes a test method for determining biobased content,
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and an impregnation composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; a biobased component; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with the impregnation composition, wherein the impregnation composition is reacted or activated to produce a polymerized and/or cross-linked composition.
In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises a compound selected from 1,3-propanediol dimethylacrylate (PDDMA), isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), 3-propanediol diacrylate, ethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, tetraethylene glycol(meth)acrylate, gylcerol tri(meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated dimethacrylate, ethoxylated diacrylate, an epoxidized oil and an acrylated polyol derived from lactide.
In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises an epoxidized oil. In some embodiments, the epoxidized oil is selected from: epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized methyl soyate, epoxidized soy oil, epoxidized tall oil, and a combination of two or more thereof.
In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises an organic material containing an amount of non-fossil carbon sourced from biomass, such as plants, agricultural crops, wood waste, animal waste, fats, and oils, for example, a polyol (e.g. a polyol based on poly 2-hydroxylactate (lactic acid)).
In some embodiments, the polyol is a multi-functional polyester polyol. In some embodiments, multi-functional polyester polyols include, but are not limited to, acrylic end-capped polylactide, hydroxyl end-capped polylactide, aliphatic-aromatic biobased polyols, acrylated biobased polyols, copolyesters, polyesteramides, lactide, modified polyethylene terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxyvalerates, polycaprolactone, and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers.
In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 1% to about 75%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 5% to about 60%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 8% to about 50%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 10% to about 45%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 15% to about 40%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises from about 20% to about 35%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises about 30%, by weight, of the impregnation composition.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and a reaction product of a composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; a biobased component; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with said composition.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and a composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; an ingredient selected from: 1,3-propanediol dimethylacrylate (PDDMA), isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), pentaerythitol triacrylate (PETA), tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (TPGDA), dipentaerythitol triacrylate (DPETA), isodecyl(meth)acrylate, hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, N-vinyl formamide, ethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, tetraethylene glycol(meth)acrylate, tripropylene glycol(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, propoxylated neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated or propoxylated tripropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, tris(2-hydroxy ethyl) isocyanurate tri(meth)acrylate, cyclic trimethylolpropane formal acrylate, ethoxylated(4) bisphenol A dimethacrylate, ethoxylated dimethacrylate, ethoxylated diacrylate, tricyclodecane dimethanol dimethacrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, 2-EHA, cyclohexane dimethanol(meth)diacrylate, gylcerol tri(meth)acrylate, and 1,4-butanediol di(meth)acrylate; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with said composition.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide an impregnated product comprising: a cellulosic substrate having internal voids; and a reaction product of a composition comprising: an acrylate monomer; an ingredient selected from: 1,3-propanediol dimethylacrylate (PDDMA), isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), pentaerythitol triacrylate (PETA), tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (TPGDA), dipentaerythitol triacrylate (DPETA). isodecyl(meth)acrylate, hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, N-vinyl formamide, ethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di (meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, tetraethylene glycol(meth)acrylate, tripropylene glycol(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, propoxylated neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated or propoxylated tripropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, tris(2-hydroxy ethyl) isocyanurate tri(meth)acrylate, cyclic trimethylolpropane formal acrylate, ethoxylated(4) bisphenol A dimethacrylate, ethoxylated dimethacrylate, ethoxylated diacrylate, tricyclodecane dimethanol dimethacrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate. 2-EHA, cylohexane dimethanol (meth)diacrylate, gylcerol tri(meth)acrylate, and 1,4-butanediol di(meth)acrylate; and an acrylate additive; wherein the cellulosic substrate is impregnated with said composition.
In some embodiments, the acrylate additive is selected from an acrylated plasticizer and a second acrylate monomer. In some embodiments, the acrylate additive comprises an acrylated plasticizer. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises acrylated polyethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises acrylated-PEG 600. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises from about 1 to about 30%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises from about 5 to about 25%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises from about 10 to about 20%, by weight, of the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the acrylated plasticizer comprises about 15%, by weight, of the impregnation composition.
In some embodiments, the acrylate additive comprises a second acrylate polymer. In some embodiments, the second acrylate polymer is selected from: hexanediol diacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate and tripropylene glycol diacrylate.
In some embodiments, the impregnation composition further comprises a polymerization initiator. In some embodiments, the polymerization initiator is selected from: 2,2′-azobis-(2-methylbutyronitrile), p-toluenesulfonic acid, stannous 2-ethyl hexanoate, and a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the polymerization initiator comprises 2,2′-azobis-(2-methylbutyronitrile).
In some embodiments the impregnation composition saturates at least about 25% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 30% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 35% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 40% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 45% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments the impregnation composition saturates at least about 50% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 55% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 60% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 65% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 70% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 75% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition saturates at least about 80% of the available internal voids of the cellulosic substrate.
In some embodiments, the product further comprises a flame retardant. In some embodiments, the flame retardant is selected from: boric acid:, diammonium phosphate; a chlorinated wax; ammonium borate; and a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the flame retardant is included in the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the flame retardant is included in a coating.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a flooring system comprising a plurality of any one of the impregnated products described herein. Some embodiments provide a system comprising from about 1 to about 15 coatings applied to any one of the impregnated products described herein. Some embodiments provide a system comprising from about 3 to about 12 coatings applied to any one of the impregnated products described herein. Some embodiments provide a system comprising from about 6 to about 10 coatings applied to any one of the impregnated products described herein.
In some embodiments, the coating is selected from: a filler coating; a seal coating; an anti-abrasive coating; and a UV curable coating. In some embodiments, the system provides a reduction in volatile organic compound emission.
Some embodiments comprise an anti-abrasive coating. In some embodiments, the anti-abrasive coating comprises a particle selected from aluminum oxide, corundum, molten corundum, sintered corundum, zirconium corundum, sol-gel corundum, silicon carbide, boron carbide, and a combination of two or more thereof.
In some embodiments, the impregnation composition further comprises a dye, stain, or other colorant. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition comprises a dye, at a concentration, by weight, of about 0.76 percent. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition comprises a dye, at a concentration, by weight, of about 0.51 percent. In some embodiments, the impregnation composition comprises a dye, at a concentration, by weight, of between about 0.60 percent and about 1 percent.
In some embodiments, the impregnation composition further comprises an anti-microbial agent. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent inhibits bacterial, fungal, microbial and other pathogen or non-pathogen growth. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial migrates to the coated surface as required, thereby establishing a concentration gradient that controls the growth of microorganisms on contact with the coated surface.
In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is selected from: 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB). Other chemical compounds having known antimicrobial characteristics may also be used in the present invention. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present at a concentration of from about 0.075% to 3% by weight In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is included in the impregnation composition in some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is included in a coatings.
In some embodiments, the biobased component comprises a lactide. In some embodiments, the lactide is selected from:
Some embodiments, of the present invention further comprise particles of suitable size to be incorporated within the impregnation composition. In some embodiments, the particles are selected from a metal oxide; a clay; aluminum trihydrate; diamond; silicon carbide; a glass bead; gypsum; limestone; mica; perlite; quartz; sand; talc; and a combination of two or more thereof.
In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size of less than about 1 micron. In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size greater than about 1 nanometer (nm). In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size of greater than about 10 nm. In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size of greater than about 50 nm In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size of greater than about 70 nm.
In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size between about 1 nm and about 500 nm. In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size between about 10 nm and about 400 nm. In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size between about 50 nm and about 300 nm. In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size between about 100 nm and about 250 nm.
In some embodiments, the particles have an average particle size between about 1 nm and about 10 nm, between about 10 nm and about 20 nm, between about 20 nm and about 30 nm, between about 30 nm and about 40 nm between about 40 nm and about 50 nm between about 50 nm and about 60nm, between about 60 nm and about 70 nm, between about 70 nm and about 80 nm, between about 80 nm and about 90 nm between about 90 nm and about 100 nm, between about 1 nm and about 50 nm, between about 50 nm and about 100 nm, between about 30 nm and about 70 nm at about 10 am, at about 20 nm, at about 30 nm, at about 40 nm, at about 50 nm, at about 60 nm at about 70 nm at about 80 nm at about 90 nm at about 100 nm at 10 nm, at 20 nm, at 30 nm at 40 nm, at 50 nm at 60 nm at 70 nm at 80 nm at 90 nm, at 100 nm, or any suitable combination, sub-combination, range, or sub-range therein.
In some embodiments, the particles comprise a metal oxide. In some embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 5% of a metal oxide dispersion. In some embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 10% of a metal oxide dispersion. In some embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 15% of a metal oxide dispersion. In some embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 20% of a metal oxide dispersion. In some embodiments, the composition comprises about 20% of a metal oxide dispersion. In some embodiments, the metal oxide comprises aluminum oxide.
In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than one inch. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than 0.75 inch. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than 0.5 inch. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than 0.25 inch. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than 0.2 inch. In some embodiments, the cellulosic substrate has a thickness of less than 0.1 inch.
In some embodiments, the hardness of the impregnated product is substantially uniform.
In some embodiments, the impregnated product exhibits increased hardness, as demonstrated by indent resistance as compared to untreated wood of the same type. “Indent resistance” may be measured by the force required when a wood product is tested using a Janka impact testing apparatus for performing Janka tests (ASTM D 1037) with pleasured force to depress a 0.444-inch diameter steel ball to a depth of 0.222 inches into a 1-inch thick sample. Higher values reflect higher indent resistance.
In some embodiments., one inch thick samples fabricated by gluing together impregnated wood veneer substrates corresponding with the impregnated products described herein provide Janka values, for example, of greater than about 3500 lb-force. In some embodiments, 1-inch thick samples fabricated by gluing together impregnated wood veneer substrates corresponding with the impregnated products described herein provide Janka values, for example, of greater than about 4000 lb-force.
A polymerization initiator is weighed out and poured into a first vessel containing, an acrylate monomer. The specified amount of acrylated plasticizer is then added to a second vessel. The acrylate acrylate monomer is then added to the second vessel. The acrylate monomer, the acrylated plasticizer and the polymerization initiator are then mixed until blended. The mixture is then put back into the first vessel, to which an additional amount of acrylate monomer is added. The contents of the first vessel are mixed until homogeneous.
Load vessel with cellulosic substrate to be impregnated and secure door. Shut blow of valve and main valve. Open vacuum valve and gauge valve Start vacuum pump and turn on vacuum gauge. Pull vacuum down to a minimum of 50 mm. Open main valve to pull impregnation composition from first vessel into third vessel. Close main valve and pressurize third vessel with nitrogen to about 20 psi. Soak for about 45 minutes at about 20 psi. Open main valve to blow impregnation composition back into first vessel. Close main valve. Increase pressure to about 40 psi and let drain for about 15 minutes. Open main valve and let remaining impregnation composition drain into first vessel. Increase and maintain pressure in third vessel at 70-80 psi. Introduce steam into the heat jacket of the pressurized third vessel. Leave steam “on” until cut-off temperature of about 103° C. has been reached. Bleed pressure from third vessel. Cool third vessel with water. Open door and unload third vessel.
Composition A as described in Table 1 (below), is prepared with an exemplary biobased liquid (1,3-propaneol Bio PDO) at a concentration shown in Table 1, by weight percent.
Compositions B, C and D as described in Table 2 (below) are prepared.
Maple samples are impregnated with a control composition (Comp. Ex. I or Comp. Ex. II) and Compositions I, II, III and IV as described in Table 3 (below), which comprise Compositions A, B, C and D as described in Examples 1 and 2.
The data described in Table 3 (above) demonstrates that the incorporation of a biobased component in an impregnating composition provides an unexpected improvement hi the hardness of a cellulosic substrate impregnated therewith.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various Changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention, in addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
