Resin hydrocarbon

Hydrocarbon resins (qv) are prepared by copolymerization of vinyltoluene, styrene, and a-methylstyrene in the presence of a Eriedel-Crafts catalyst (AlCl ). These resins are compatible with wax and ethylene—vinyl acetate copolymer (197). 

Hydrocarbon resin is a broad term that is usually used to describe a low molecular weight thermoplastic polymer synthesized via the thermal or catalytic polymerization of coal-tar fractions, cracked petroleum distillates, terpenes, or pure olefinic monomers. These resins are used extensively as modifiers in the hot melt and pressure sensitive adhesive industries. They are also used in numerous other appHcations such as sealants, printing inks, paints, plastics, road marking, carpet backing, flooring, and oil field appHcations. They are rarely used alone. 

Terpene-based hydrocarbon resins are typically based on natural products such as a-pinene, P-pinene, and ti-limonene [5989-27-5] which are obtained from the wood and citms industries, respectively. These resins, which were originally the preferred tackifiers for natural mbber appHcations, possess similar properties to aHphatic petroleum resins, which were developed later. Terpene-based resins have been available since the mid-1930s and are primarily used in the adhesives industry. 

Most hydrocarbon resins are composed of a mixture of monomers and are rather difficult to hiUy characterize on a molecular level. The characteristics of resins are typically defined by physical properties such as softening point, color, molecular weight, melt viscosity, and solubiHty parameter. These properties predict performance characteristics and are essential in designing resins for specific appHcations. Actual characterization techniques used to define the broad molecular properties of hydrocarbon resins are Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ftir), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (nmr), and differential scanning calorimetry (dsc). 

Color. Colors of hydrocarbon resins are routinely deterrnined on the Gardner scale (ASTM D154) or on the Saybolt scale (ASTM D156). 

Solubility Parameter. CompatibiHty between hydrocarbon resins and other components in an appHcation can be estimated by the Hildebrand solubiHty parameter (2). In order for materials to be mutually soluble, the free energy of mixing must be negative (3). The solubiHty of a hydrocarbon resin with other polymers or components in a system can be approximated by the similarities in the solubiHty parameters of the resin and the other materials. Tme solubiHty parameters are only available for simple compounds and solvents. However, parameters for more complex materials can be approximated by relative solubiHty comparisons with substances of known solubiHty parameter. 

Eor most hydrocarbon resins where numerous stmcturaHy different monomers are polymerized, nmr is typically used as a general tool to quantify the aromatic and/or olefinic content of a resin. In conjunction with gpc and ftir, nmr measurements are used to identify and quantify particular functionaHties or monomers present in hydrocarbon resins. 

As appHed to hydrocarbon resins, dsc is mainly used for the determination of glass-transition temperatures (7p. Information can also be gained as to the physical state of a material, ie, amorphous vs crystalline. As a general rule of thumb, the T of a hydrocarbon resin is approximately 50°C below the softening point. Oxidative induction times, which are also deterrnined by dsc, are used to predict the relative oxidative stabiHty of a hydrocarbon resin. 

Friedel-Crafts (Lewis) acids have been shown to be much more effective in the initiation of cationic polymerization when in the presence of a cocatalyst such as water, alkyl haUdes, and protic acids. Virtually all feedstocks used in the synthesis of hydrocarbon resins contain at least traces of water, which serves as a cocatalyst. The accepted mechanism for the activation of boron trifluoride in the presence of water is shown in equation 1 (10). Other Lewis acids are activated by similar mechanisms. In a more general sense, water may be replaced by any appropriate electron-donating species (eg, ether, alcohol, alkyl haUde) to generate a cationic intermediate and a Lewis acid complex counterion. 

The polymerization of monomers to form hydrocarbon resins is typically carried out by either the direct addition of catalyst to a hydrocarbon fraction or by the addition of feed to a solvent—catalyst slurry or solution. Most commercial manufacturers use a continuous polymerization process as opposed to a batch process. Reactor temperatures are typically in the range of 0—120°C. 

Polymerizations are typically quenched with water, alcohol, or base. The resulting polymerizates are then distilled and steam and/or vacuum stripped to yield hard resin. Hydrocarbon resins may also be precipitated by the addition of the quenched reaction mixture to an excess of an appropriate poor solvent. As an example, aUphatic C-5 resins are readily precipitated in acetone, while a more polar solvent such as methanol is better suited for aromatic C-9 resins. 

Petroleum resins are low molecular weight thermoplastic hydrocarbon resins synthesized from steam cracked petroleum distillates. These resins are differentiated from higher molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which are produced from essentially pure monomers. Petroleum resin feedstocks are composed of various reactive and nonreactive aliphatic and aromatic components. The resins are usually classified as C-5... 

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