Selectively-Releasable Adhesives

Abstract

In one embodiment, a selectively-releasable adhesive includes a copolymer formed from a multifunctional alcohol and a multifunctional carboxylic acid, wherein the copolymer has been cured the equivalent of up to approximately 20 hours at 120° C. and 100 milliTorr.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A selectively-releasable adhesive comprising:
 a cured copolymer formed from a multifunctional alcohol and a multifunctional carboxylic acid;   the adhesive exhibiting a peel strength of at least approximately 2 N/100 mm when tested according to ASTM D3330-78 PSTC-1 using a peel speed of 3.8 mm/s.   
     
     
         42 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the multifunctional alcohol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, monomeric carbohydrates, and small polyols. 
     
     
         43 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the multifunctional alcohol is glycerol. 
     
     
         44 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the multifunctional carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of diacids and triacids. 
     
     
         45 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the multifunctional carboxylic acid is sebacic acid. 
     
     
         46 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the copolymer is poly(glycerol-sebacate). 
     
     
         47 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the adhesive has a peel strength of at least approximately 5 N/100 mm. 
     
     
         48 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the adhesive has a peel strength of at least approximately 10 N/100 mm. 
     
     
         49 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the adhesive has a peel strength of approximately 14 N/100 mm. 
     
     
         50 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density that does exceed 4 percent. 
     
     
         51 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density of approximately 1 to 3 percent. 
     
     
         52 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density that does not exceed approximately 0.05 moles per liter. 
     
     
         53 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density of approximately 0.01 to 0.04 moles per liter. 
     
     
         54 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the multifunctional carboxylic acid has been purified multiple times. 
     
     
         55 . The adhesive of  claim 41 , wherein the adhesive strength of the adhesive is significantly reduced when exposed to a solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ketones, ethers, amides, sulfoxides, and esters. 
     
     
         56 . A selectively-releasable adhesive comprising:
 a copolymer formed from a multifunctional alcohol and a multifunctional carboxylic acid, wherein the copolymer has been cured at an elevated temperature to increase the cohesiveness of the copolymer;   wherein the adhesive has inherent adhesive strength and therefore adheres to objects to which it is applied.   
     
     
         57 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has been cured in an oven at a temperature well above room temperature. 
     
     
         58 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has been cured at a temperature of approximately 120° C. 
     
     
         59 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density that does exceed 4 percent. 
     
     
         60 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density of approximately 1 to 3 percent. 
     
     
         61 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density that does not exceed approximately 0.05 moles per liter. 
     
     
         62 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the copolymer has a crosslink density of approximately 0.01 to 0.04 moles per liter. 
     
     
         63 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein the multifuncational alcohol is glycerol and the multifuncational carboxylic acid is sebacic acid.