Branched Vinyl Ester Monomers For Hydrophobic Emulsion Polymers

Co-Authors:Victor Arriaga; Lan Nguyen
Momentive Specialty Chemicals

One of the main requirements of protective coatings but also a growing number of adhesives is a high resistance to water and humidity. Vinyl esters of branched carboxylic acids are ideal co-monomers for the production of hydrophobic latices for a wide range of environmentally friendly water-based coatings and adhesives. The vinyl esters of neodecanoic acid, neononanoic acid and 2-ethylhexanoic acid are truly versatile monomers as they can easily react via radical polymerization with both vinyl acetate and acrylic monomers. These uniquely branched vinyl ester monomers cover a wide Tg range from -45 °C to +70 °C. The incorporation of the highly branched hydrophobic structure enhances the latex and final application properties in many respects, in particular stability, durability, adhesion, and water and alkaline resistance. This makes them very suitable co-monomers for the production of vinyl polymers for use in exterior paints with excellent outdoor durability. Acrylic polymers modified with branched vinyl esters show increased alkali resistance, enhanced and long-lasting water repellence as well as improved dry and wet adhesion to low surface energy substrates such as PP and PE. Typical examples of applications where these properties are desirable are wood stains, exterior masonry coatings, anti-corrosion coatings, elastomeric roof coatings and pressure sensitive adhesives.
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