Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

“New Polymers for Surface Coatings”

PSU Invention Disclosure No. 2006-3166

Field of the Invention/Key Words:

Surface coatings; paint additives; polymer plasticizers; compatibilizer; hydraulic fluids; lubricants

Links:

Dr. Allcock's Website

Inventors:

L. Steely, D. Welna, and H. Allcock

Background:

Current automobile, marine, and building paints suffer from three main drawbacks: (1) frequent cleaning of the paint surface (2) long-term exposure to sunlight causing deterioration and (3) lack of durability that frequently leads to scratches and chips at the paint surface. Each of the disadvantages necessitates large amount of time and money in order to maintain the integrity of the paint. Overcoming these limitations can be accomplished by modifying the hydrophobic, UV and abrasion resistant properties of the paint.

Invention description:

By utilizing fluorinated phosphazene polymers, oligomers, and cyclic species as an additive in paint, improvements to their critical properties can be realized. Incorporation of hydroxyl functionality allows these fluorinated materials to blend with traditional paint components (e.g. latex) in common organic solvents. Oligomers and polymers of poly[bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] (PTFEP) with hydroxyl functional groups have been synthesized to modify their solubility. The 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy groups were introduced via displacement of the chlorine atoms linked to the phosphazene’s backbone. A designated number of 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy groups were subsequently hydrolyzed to increase the compatibility of the PTFEP with organic solvents, non-fluorinated polymers, and various small molecules.

These hydrolyzed, hydrophobic oligomers and polymers have a wide range of applications including surface coating additives and polymer plasticizers. In addition, they can be used in blends as compatibilizers between fluorinated and non-fluorinated polymers, as well as, function as high performance hydraulic fluids or hydrophobic lubricants. The combination of fire-resistance, extreme hydrophobicity, and compatibility with commercial surface coatings will lead to applications in the automobile, aircraft, and marine manufacturing industries.

Advantages:

• Compatibility with commercial surface coatings/paints
  
• Extreme hydrophobicity
  
• Fire resistance
  

Contact:

Bradley A. Swope
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
The Pennsylvania State University
113 Technology Center
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-5987
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: bradswope@psu.edu