Water-Based Coatings via Miniemulsion Polymerization
EPA Grant Number: R825326Title: Water-Based Coatings via Miniemulsion Polymerization
Investigators: Schork, F. Joseph
Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Karn, Barbara
Project Period: October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999 (Extended to December 31, 1999)
Project Amount: $274,984
RFA: Technology for a Sustainable Environment (1996)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Description:
This proposal seeks to establish the scientific fundamentals for the replacement of some solvent-based coatings with equivalent water-based formulations, thus substantially reducing the VOC of these products. The research is focussed on developing a more complete fundamental understanding of miniemulsion polymerization with high levels of dissolved polymer or prepolymer in the initial monomer mixture. One important application area for the results of this work will be in the development of water-based polymeric coatings for materials that are currently supplied in solvent-based systems. Alkyd resins represent an important example of such a polymer. Solvent-based alkyd coatings are currently manufactured for a number of important applications where high quality, and hard and long lasting coatings with adjustable gloss are important.It is proposed to begin this research by studying the fundamentals for forming water-based coatings with significant alkyd content via miniemulsion polymerization with vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate and the acrylics. Preliminary work has demonstrated that good alkyd-containing latexes can be obtained via this process. The proposed research will include a study of the influence of recipe components and process parameters on the kinetics of the reaction, the characteristics of the polymer colloid products, and the properties of the resulting coated films.
Publications and Presentations:Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 17 publications for this project
Journal Articles:Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 6 journal articles for this project
Supplemental Keywords:pollution prevention, alternative coatings, innovative technology, waste reduction, environmentally conscious manufacturing , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, New/Innovative technologies, process modification, cleaner production, in-process changes, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), waste reduction, coating processes, organic coatings, water-based coatings, waste minimization, environmentally conscious manufacturing, polymeric coatings, polymeric coating, alternative materials, source reduction, Production/Pollution Prevention, innovative technology, emission controls, pollution prevention
Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report