Plant Oil-Based Reactive Diluents for Coating and Composite Applications (RFT-438)

Invention Summary

NDSU scientists have developed plant oil-based reactive diluents for coating and composite applications that possess both low viscosity and high reactive functionality. With these improved characteristics, these plant oil-based materials eliminate or reduce the need to be blended with petrochemicals thereby increasing the bio-based content of the product, which is environmentally more desirable. The fundamental aspect of the invention involves trans-esterification of a plant oil triglyceride with an alcohol that also contains at least one double bond. By completely replacing the glycerol component of the plant oil triglyceride with three equivalents of the unsaturated alcohol, fatty acid esters are produced containing at least one double bond that is not derived from the parent plant oil. Depending on the application requirements, a low-cost, bio-based unsaturated alcohol can be used to produce the reactive diluents of the invention.

Benefits

Eliminates the need for solvent
Low viscosity
High reactive functionality enables coatings and composites with relatively high modulus/hardness/scratch resistance
Enables VOC-free compositions with very high renewable content
Non-toxic and biodegradable

Applications

Radiation/UV curable coatings and inks
Thermoset composites
Industrial coatings for furniture, films, flooring, and plastics

Patents

This technology is the subject of the Issued US Patent 9,834,626 and is available for licensing/partnering opportunities.

Contact

NDSU Research Foundation
info(at)ndsurf(dot)org
(701)231-8173

NDSURF Tech Key

RFT, 438, RFT438

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