Vinyl acetate polymers 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). 

VINYL ACETATE POLYMERS. Vinyl acetate is a colorless, flammable liquid having an initially pleasant odor which quickly becomes sharp and imitating. Table 1 lists the physical properties of the monomer. 

Polyvinyl alcohols (PVAl) are manufactured by saponification of vinyl acetate polymers (PVAc). Properties of PVC using PVAl as a protective colloid are influenced by the solution viscosity of the PVAl, i.e. the degree of polymerization of the PVAc and the degree of saponification. Polyvinyl alcohols of 75-90% hydrolysis are primary suspension agents for S-PVC, whereas polyvinyl alcohols of 25-40% hydrolysis are secondary suspension agents, which control the agglomeration of the primary particles. Partially hydrolyzed PVAc can be block or random polymers. 

Ethylene Polymers Ethylene polymers include ethylene homopolymers and copolymers with other unsaturated monomers, most importantly, olefins such as propylene and polar substances such as vinyl acetate. The properties and uses of ethylene polymers depend on the... 

Sivalingam, G., Karthik, R., Madras, G. Blends of poly(e-caprolactone) and poly(vinyl acetate) mechanical properties and thermal degradation. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 84(2), 345-351 (2004)... 

Poly (vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) polymers are surface active species which can be used to stabilise latex and oil in water dispersions. In order to understand the properties of these materials, it is necessary that their sequence distributions are well characterised. A number of NMR studies on the microstructure of PVA/PVAc copolymers have been made [51-53] (see also chapter 3). Moritani and Fujiwara [51], for example, have used proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy to extract dyad distributions for a range of copolymers with different degrees of deacetylation. Samples were prepared using one of three routes direct saponification of PVAc alcoholyis of PVAc using sodium methoxide and reacetylation of PVA. From the polymer composition and the dyad distribution, the parameter rj was calculated for each polymer as follows ... 

Polyvinyl alcohols are a group of water-soluble polymers used in a wide variety of general-purpose and industrial adhesives to bond porous and cellulosic substrates such as paper and paperboard, wood and textiles and also some smooth surfaces such as metal foils. The polymer may be used alone, in aqueous solution, and is also employed with other polymers to modify the viscosity and rheological properties of formulations. In particular, it is used as the protective colloid component of vinyl acetate polymer and copolymer emulsions used as the base polymers of liquid white glues for bonding wood and paper products. 

PVAL is a watersoluble polymer (nonsoluble in organic solvents). PVAL is prepared by partial or complete hydrolysis (sometimes referred to in this case as saponification) of poly (vinyl acetate). The properties of PVAL depend on the residual content of acetate groups. Polymer analogue reactions of aldehydes with PVAL give poly (vinyl acetals) (with butyraldehyde poly (vinyl butyral) with formaldehyde poly (vinyl formal), see Fig. 2.2.2). The copolymer of PVAL and polyethylene is used as barrier polymer against non-polar solvents. 

Alternating propylene-co-MA and styrene-co-MA residues have been grafted to ethylene-co-vinyl acetate polymer, using free-radical initiators in benzene solution at 85°C. The resultant anhydride grafted materials were shown useful for preparing composites and molded objects with improved physical properties. 

Abstract. In this study various composites based on the commercial ethylene vinyl acetate polymer matrix and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared by casting from solution in the form of thick films. The degree of dispergation of carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of those composites were investigated. It was observed that the electrical conductivity of composites increases with an increase of multiwalled carbon nanotubes content. The mechanical properties of composites were only slightly changed when compared with properties of neat ethylene vinyl acetate matrix. 

A wide variety of other specialty monomers are also used to provide specialized performance properties for coating applications. For example, amine functional monomers can be used to improve adhesion to aged alkyd substrates. Specialized monomers can also be used to improve exterior durability, for example VEOVA (vinyl ester of vesatic acid) monomers can improve the hydrolysis resistance of vinyl acetate polymers, and n-butyl methacrylate can be used to enhance the durabiHty of BA-MMA acrylics. Polymer hydrophobicity can be fine tuned by varying the levels of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the composition and styrene or ethyl hexyl acrylate are used to increase film hydrophobicity and reduce water permeability in BA-MMA systems. Specialty monomers are also used to provide specific chemical functionality to polymer compositions. For example, hydroxyethyl methacrylate can be used to provide hydroxyl functionality to acrylic resins, allowing these polymers to be used in cross-linkable thermoset coatings which cure via melamine chemistry. While specialty monomers are used at relatively low levels in polymer compositions, they frequently provide the performance features needed for the successful application of emulsion polymers in many coating areas. 

Vinyl acetate (VA)/crotonates copolymer became available in the late 1950s. It was the first polymer used in fixatives to contain carboxyHc acid groups which, depending on neutralization percent, could produce variations in film properties eg, stiffness, humidity resistance, resiUency, tack, and removabihty by shampoo. It has largely been replaced in hair sprays by newer polymers. 

Plasticizers. Monomeric (mol wt 250—450) plasticizers (qv) are predominantiy phthalate, adipate, sebacate, phosphate, or trimeUitate esters. Organic phthalate esters like dioctyl phthalate (DOP) are by far the most common plasticizers in flexible PVC. Phthalates are good general-purpose plasticizers which impart good physical and low temperature properties but lack permanence in hot or extractive service conditions and are therefore sometimes called migratory plasticizers. Polymeric plasticizers (mol wt up to 5000 or more) offer an improvement in nonmigratory permanence at a sacrifice in cost, low temperature properties, and processibiHty examples are ethylene vinyl acetate or nitrile polymers. 

Carbon Cha.in Backbone Polymers. These polymers may be represented by (4) and considered derivatives of polyethylene, where n is the degree of polymeriza tion and R is (an alkyl group or) a functional group hydrogen (polyethylene), methyl (polypropylene), carboxyl (poly(acryhc acid)), chlorine (poly(vinyl chloride)), phenyl (polystyrene) hydroxyl (poly(vinyl alcohol)), ester (poly(vinyl acetate)), nitrile (polyacrylonitrile), vinyl (polybutadiene), etc. The functional groups and the molecular weight of the polymers, control thek properties which vary in hydrophobicity, solubiUty characteristics, glass-transition temperature, and crystallinity. 

Vinyl Acetate—Ethylene Copolymers. In these random copolymers, the ratio of ethylene to vinyl acetate (EVA) is varied from 30—60%. As the vinyl acetate content increases, the oil and heat resistance increases. With higher ethylene content the physical strength, tensile, and tear increases. The polymers are cured with peroxide. The main properties of these elastomers include heat resistance, moderate oil and solvent resistance, low compression set, good weather resistance, high damping, exceUent o2one resistance, and they can be easily colored (see Vinyl polymers, poly(VINYL acetate)). 

---