Applications of acrylics

Methacrylate monoliths have been fabricated by free radical polymerization of a number of different methacrylate monomers and cross-linkers [107,141-163], whose combination allowed the creation of monolithic columns with different chemical properties (RP [149-154], HIC [158], and HILIC [163]) and functionalities (lEX [141-153,161,162], IMAC [143], and bioreactors [159,160]). Unlike the fabrication of styrene monoliths, the copolymerization of methacrylate building blocks can be accomplished by thermal [141-148], photochemical [149-151,155,156], as well as chemical [154] initiation. In addition to HPLC, monolithic methacrylate supports have been subjected to numerous CEC applications [146-148,151]. Acrylate monoliths have been prepared by free radical polymerization of various acrylate monomers and cross-linkers [164-172]. Comparable to monolithic methacrylate supports, chemical [170], photochemical [164,169], as well as thermal [165-168,171,172] initiation techniques have been employed for fabrication. The application of acrylate polymer columns, however, is more focused on CEC than HPLC. 

Attempts to apply some potential consolidants by spraying or from vapors were not notably successful because of poor control and variability. Some promise was shown in the application of acrylic resins by draining rather than by padding and by drying in a microwave oven. Although these approaches were not completely successful, further efforts in the directions explored here would be justified. 

THERMOSETTING POLYMERS IN CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS Table 5.1 Specific properties and applications of acrylic systems in the construction industry... 

If conditions are severe, for example if there is widespread spalling and corrosion, patch repairs are carried out, followed by application of acrylic coating as the final part of the repair. Surface treatment with a silane... 

Figure 5.7 Application of acrylic roof coating. Reproduced with permission from Fosroc...

Ichikawa, H. Fukumori, Y. New applications of acrylic polymers for thermosensitive drug release. STP Pharma 1997, 7 (6), 529-545. 

Polymer additives can improve manufacturing processes and product quality, as they aid the formation of a continuous coating phase without any detrimental effect to the polymer. Biomedical applications of acrylic terpolymer with arginylglycylaspartic acid, i.e., a tripeptide composed of L-arginine, glycine and L-aspartic acid peptides, have been studied by Fussell and Cooper [39]. Chauhan and co-workers have investigated the biological activities of synthesised terpolymers based on p-hydroxybenzaldehyde... 

Acrylic polymers may be considered structurally as derivatives of acrylic acid and its homologues. The family of acrylics includes a range of commercial polymers based on acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of acrylic acid and of methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, and copolymers of these compounds. By far the best known applications of acrylics are acrylic fibers and acrylonitrile copolymers such as NBR, SAN, and ABS. 

Growth in the traditional coating and textile applications of acrylic acid and acrylates is being extended by the use of polyacrylic acid as an absorbent (in diapers ) demand now exceeds 500 kilotonnes per annum in the U.S. and 250 kilotonnes per annum in western Europe. 

The basic technique of using domes formed from acrylic sheet as skylights was developed in the 1950s and represented one of the earliest commercial applications of acrylic plastic. 

Table X. End Use Applications of Acrylics in Small-Part Assembly...

Applications of acrylics The largest application is in fiber yarns for dothing (especially sweaters), home furnishings, covers, and blankets. The filament titers vary... 

From the preceding discussions it should be clear that waterborne systems will not replace all other coating systems in the foreseeable future. There will be a place for every technology, with some dominating. Solvent based systems will continue to be used, particularly if incinerators or solvent recovery are already in place. Solvent free and water free systems also have an important role to play in the future use and applications of acrylic resins for surface coatings. 

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