Agents, polymeric physical properties

Emulsion Adhesives. The most widely used emulsion-based adhesive is that based upon poly(vinyl acetate)—poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers formed by free-radical polymerization in an emulsion system. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is typically formed by hydrolysis of the poly(vinyl acetate). The properties of the emulsion are derived from the polymer employed in the polymerization as weU as from the system used to emulsify the polymer in water. The emulsion is stabilized by a combination of a surfactant plus a coUoid protection system. The protective coUoids are similar to those used paint (qv) to stabilize latex. For poly(vinyl acetate), the protective coUoids are isolated from natural gums and ceUulosic resins (carboxymethylceUulose or hydroxyethjdceUulose). The hydroHzed polymer may also be used. The physical properties of the poly(vinyl acetate) polymer can be modified by changing the co-monomer used in the polymerization. Any material which is free-radically active and participates in an emulsion polymerization can be employed. Plasticizers (qv), tackifiers, viscosity modifiers, solvents (added to coalesce the emulsion particles), fillers, humectants, and other materials are often added to the adhesive to meet specifications for the intended appHcation. Because the presence of foam in the bond line could decrease performance of the adhesion joint, agents that control the amount of air entrapped in an adhesive bond must be added. Biocides are also necessary many of the materials that are used to stabilize poly(vinyl acetate) emulsions are natural products. Poly(vinyl acetate) adhesives known as "white glue" or "carpenter s glue" are available under a number of different trade names. AppHcations are found mosdy in the area of adhesion to paper and wood (see Vinyl polymers). 

PS Foams. The eady history of foamed PS is available (244), as are discussions of the theory of plastic foams (245). Foamable PS beads were developed in the 1950s by BASF under the trademark of STYROPOR (246—248). These beads, made by suspension polymerization in the presence of blowing agents such as pentane or hexane, or by post-pressurization with the same blowing agents, have had an almost explosive growth, with 200,000 metric tons used in 1980. Some typical physical properties of PS foams are Hsted in Table 10 (see Foamed plastics). 

Table 10.1 presents typical specifications for a polymerization-grade product, as well as some physical properties. Prohibited impurities refer to inhibitors (croton-aldehyde, vinyl acetylene), chain-transfer agents (acetic acid, acetaldehyde, acetone) and polymerizable species (vinyl crotonate), while methyl and ethyl acetate impurities are tolerated. 

Bonding of hydrophobic plastic materials to wood to create new wood-plastic (polystyrene) materials with improved mechanical and physical properties that incorporate the desirable features of each constituent is difficult to achieve. This is due to poor interfacial adhesion between the wood and polystyrene components because of their inherent incompatibility. New, well-defined, tailored cellulose-polystyrene graft copolymers have recently been prepared using anionic polymerization techniques. Preliminary bonding studies showed that these graft copolymers can function effectively as compatibi-lizers or interfacial agents to bond hydrophobic plastic (polystyrene) material to wood, evolving into a new class of composites. 

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