Carboxyl functional thermoplastic acrylic

Chem. Descrip. Modified thermoplastic acrylic with no hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine functionality... 

Thermosetting acrylics are produced by incorporating functional carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amide groups during free radical polymerization. Acrylamide and acrylic acid are often used as functional monomers for this purpose. The thermosetting acrylics are formulated with other reactive resins, such as epoxies, to provide a crosslinked film on heating. These films are considerably harder, tougher and more chemically resistant than those attainable from thermoplastic acrylics. 

Maleate esters such as dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate and dibutyl maleate are extensively used in the production of latex emulsion polymers, thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics. Dimethyl maleate has found use in applications where improvement in hardness and toughness of polymer films are desired. This includes, in particular, the improvement of anti-blocking properties of copolymers of vinyl acetate with dimethyl maleate. It is also used as an internal modifier to increase the glass transition temperature of styrene or vinyl chloride polymer. The intermediate in esterification of maleic acid with methanol, monomethyl maleate provides plastsizing effect, as well as promotion of improved polymer adhesion due to the carboxylic group. It can be copolymerized with a variety of vinyl and acrylic monomers to provide coatings with improved stiffness and adhesion and reduced tackiness or tendency to block. Monoesters of maleates are used to provide carboxylic acid functionality in emulsions and water-soluble polymers. 

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