Alkyd polymers properties

FIGURE 2-17. Contribution of molecular weight to polymer properties, (a) Molecular weight distribution profile of a typical polymer. (b) Quality control of an alkyd resin. It was determined that a good paint resulted only when the ratio of the peak heights was between 0.6 and 0.8. Detector refractive index. 

Three important binders for paints are mentioned [8]. Acrylic polymers (resins) are present in emulsion paints that are typically used to paint the inside and outside of buildings. Alkyd polymers (resins) are contained in decorative gloss paints. Epoxy polymers (resins) often serve as binders for industrial primer coatings. They give the paint great adhesion properties and high resistance to corrosion. 

The properties of the polymers may be modified by mixing abphatic acids or anhydrides with the phthalic anhydride. Many alkyd resins find application in the paint industry. 

Uses. Neopentyl glycol is used extensively as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of polyester resins (see Alkyd resins), polyurethane polyols (see Urethane polymers), synthetic lubricants, polymeric plasticizers (qv), and other polymers. It imparts a combination of desirable properties to properly formulated esterification products, including low color, good weathering and chemical resistance, and improved thermal and hydrolytic stabiUty. 

A variety of additives are used to control the properties of wetting and dispersion of pigments, flow, Hthography, and mb-off of inks. These additives belong to classes of materials such as surfactants, bentonite clays, alkyds, functional resins, polymers, etc. 

Alkyd resins are produced by reaction of a polybasic acid, such as phthaUc or maleic anhydride, with a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerol, pentaerythritol, or glycol, in the presence of an oil or fatty acid. The resulting polymeric material can be further modified with other polymers and chemicals such as acryhcs, siUcones, and natural oils. On account of the broad selection of various polybasic acids, polyhydric alcohols, oils and fatty acids, and other modifying ingredients, many different types of alkyd resins can be produced that have a wide range of coating properties (see Alkyd resins). 

Uses. Phthabc anhydride is used mainly in plasticizers, unsaturated polyesters, and alkyd resins (qv). PhthaUc plasticizers consume 54% of the phthahc anhydride in the United States (33). The plasticizers (qv) are used mainly with poly(vinyl chloride) to produce flexible sheet such as wallpaper and upholstery fabric from normally rigid polymers. The plasticizers are of two types diesters of the same monohydric alcohol such as dibutyl phthalate, or mixed esters of two monohydric alcohols. The largest-volume plasticizer is di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [117-81-7] which is known commercially as dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and is the base to which other plasticizers are compared. The important phthahc acid esters and thek physical properties are Hsted in Table 12. The demand for phthahc acid in plasticizers is naturally tied to the growth of the flexible poly(vinyl chloride) market which is large and has been growing steadily. 

One of the important attributes of alkyds is their good compatibiUty with a wide variety of other coating polymers. This good compatibiUty comes from the relatively low molecular weight of the alkyds, and the fact that the resin stmcture contains, on the one hand, a relatively polar and aromatic backbone, and, on the other hand, many aUphatic side chains with low polarity. An alkyd resin in a blend with another coating polymer may serve as a modifier for the other film-former, or it may be the principal film-former and the other polymer may serve as the modifier for the alkyd to enhance certain properties. Examples of compatible blends foUow. 

The initial drying of currently applied alkyd paints is accomplished by evaporation of solvent (physical drying). Subsequently, the eventual curing of the alkyd paint is completed by the formation of a polymer network, which is mainly formed by chemical crosslinks (oxidative drying) but in some cases also physical interactions between the fatty acid side chains occur, such as crystallization or proton-bridge formation [129]. Efficient network formation is crucial in the formation of dry films with good mechanical properties. Due to the presence of unsaturated units in the investigated LOFA- and TOFA-PHA bin-... 

Several applications of hyperbranched polymers as precursors for synthesis of crosslinked materials have been reported [91-97] but systematic studies of crosslinking kinetics, gelation, network formation and network properties are still missing. These studies include application of hyperbranched aliphatic polyesters as hydroxy group containing precursors in alkyd resins by which the hardness of alkyd films was improved [94], Several studies involved the modification of hyperbranched polyesters to introduce polymerizable unsaturated C=C double bonds (maleate or acrylic groups). A crosslinked network was formed by free-radical homopolymerization or copolymerization. 

The dilution properties of hyperbranched polymers also differ from those of linear polymers. In a comparison between two alkyd resin systems, where one was a conventional high solid alkyd and the other based on a hyperbranched aliphatic polyester, the conventional high solid alkyd was seen to exhibit a higher viscosity [113]. A more rapid decrease in viscosity with solvent content was noted for the hyperbranched alkyd when the polymers were diluted. 

Together, antifreeze, PET, and polyester polymers account for about 98% of the ethylene glycol produced in the United States. It is also used sometimes as a deicer for aircraft surfaces. The two hydroxyl groups in the EG molecule also make EG suitable for the manufacture of surfactants and in latex paints. Other applications include hydraulic brake fluid, the manufacture of alkyd resins for surface coatings, and stabilizers for water dispersions of urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde The hygroscopic properties (absorbs moisture from the air) make EG useful as a humectant for textile fibers, paper, leather, and adhesives treatment. 

Oligophenylethoxysiloxanes are used as modifiers for various polymers to improve their weather resistance and other technical characteristics, as well as to increase the heat resistance of coatings. E.g., PES-50 is used to modify polyethers, aciylic and epoxy polymers PES-80 is used to modify alkyd and urea-formaldehyde resins. Besides, PES-80 is used as an additive in paints and enamels (to improve their flow properties, gloss and colour), as well as in concrete mixes (to improve the water resistance and durability of concrete works). 

Step-growth copolymerization involves the use of three or more monomers which do not ordinarily all react with each other. Examples include mixtures of acids and polyols in the synthesis of alkyds, as illustrated in the recipes in Table 5-1. Such polymers will contain a random distribution of monomer residues if they are synthesized under conditions in which the polymerization is reversible and the molecular weight distribution is random. Polymers like alkyds are intended to be homogeneous products with properties which represent an average of those of all the component monomers. The copolymerization of linolcic acid in the recipe in Table 5-1 would confer air-drying properties on all the macromolccules in which it is incorporated. 

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