Water-resistant polymers

Vanadyl phthalocyanine (7) is effective as a smoke reducer for various styrene polymers.31 Vanadyl sulfate, V0(S04)2, finds application in the production of water resistant polymer foams.32... 

This is formed by applying a polymeric composition containing an oiganic water-resistant polymer, which has associated therewith an effective amount of a biocidal compound to inhibit corrosion, fouling and biocidal buildup on the coils. 

Alternatively, spherical particles of typically 2 to 20 pm diameter are attached to the end of cantilevers. This can be achieved either by gluing them with a water-resistant polymer glue [9, 10] or by melting [97] or sintering them onto the cantilever (Fig. 5). With particles of defined radius, the force can be analyzed more quantitatively. In particular, the surface... 

Polyester and vinyl esters. Polyester matrices have had the longest period of use, with wide application in many large structural applications. (See Table 2.31.) They will cure at room temperature with a catalyst (peroxide) which produces an exothermic reaction. The resultant polymer is nonpolar and very water resistant, making it an excellent choice in the marine construction field. The isopolyester resins, regarded as the most water-resistant polymer in the polymer group, has been chosen as the prime matrix material for use on a fleet of U.S. Navy mine hunters. 

It appears that carboxyl-modification is necessary for bonding polymer latexes through amine-functional silanes. A series of experimental styrene-butadiene-acid terpolymers were compared as film formers and primers with 5% added Z-6020 (Table V). Difunctional acids gave the most stable mixes, but poorest water resistance. Polymers with acrylic acid modification were best primers for plaster. Alkylmaleate modified polymers had poor stability with silane, and deposited rubbery films with poor wet adhesion to glass. 

Marine, Waterborne, and Water-Resistant Polymers Chemistry and Applications... 

Dichromated Resists. The first compositions widely used as photoresists combine a photosensitive dichromate salt (usually ammonium dichromate) with a water-soluble polymer of biologic origin such as gelatin, egg albumin (proteins), or gum arabic (a starch). Later, synthetic polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) also were used (11,12). Irradiation with uv light (X in the range of 360—380 nm using, for example, a carbon arc lamp) leads to photoinitiated oxidation of the polymer and reduction of dichromate to Ct(III). The photoinduced chemistry renders exposed areas insoluble in aqueous developing solutions. The photochemical mechanism of dichromate sensitization of PVA (summarized in Fig. 3) has been studied in detail (13). 

Foaming polystyrene resin prepared by blending with gas deHvers an opaque, low density sheet useful for beverage-bottle and plastic can labels as a water-resistant paper substitute (see Styrene polymers). 

Water—Glycol Solutions. These materials are transparent solutions of water and glycol having good low temperature properties. They frequently contain water-soluble additives to improve performance in corrosion resistance, anti-wear, etc. A water-soluble polymer is commonly utilized to boost viscosity. As solutions their advantage over emulsions is their inherent stabdity. 

Synthetic Marble. Synthetic marble-like resin products are prepared by casting or molding a highly filled monomer mixture or monomer—polymer symp. When only one smooth surface is required, a continuous casting process using only one endless stainless steel belt can be used (52,53). Typically on the order of 60 wt % inorganic filler is used. The inorganic fillers, such as aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, etc, are selected on the basis of cost, and such properties as the translucence, chemical and water resistance, and ease of subsequent fabrication (54,55). 

Copolymers wet and adhere well to nonporous surfaces, such as plastics and metals. They form soft, flexible films, in contrast to the tough, horny films formed by homopolymers, and are more water-resistant. As the ratio of comonomer to vinyl acetate increases, the variety of plastics to which the copolymer adheres also increases. Comonomers containing functional groups often adhere to specific surfaces for example, carboxyl containing polymers adhere well to metals. 

When more than routine water resistance is required, a copolymer vinyl acetate emulsion can be used. The plasticizing comonomer in the polymer particles increases their intrinsic coalescing ability thus, they can coalesce more readily than homopolymer particles to a film that has a higher resistance to water. This resistance to water does not extend to the organic solvents, however, which are better resisted by homopolymer films. The soft copolymers have lower solubility parameters than homopolymers and are more readily attacked by solvents of low polarity, eg, hydrocarbons. 

In contrast to other polymers the resistance to water permeation is low due to the hydrolysis of the poly(vinyl acetate) (163,164). Ethylene copolymers have been developed which have improved water resistance and waterproofness. The polymer can be used in the latex form or in a spray-dried form which can be preblended in with the cement (qv) in the proper proportion. The compressive and tensile strength of concrete is improved by addition of PVAc emulsions to the water before mixing. A polymer-soHds-to-total-soHds ratio of ca 10 90 is best. The emulsions also aid adhesion between new and old concrete when patching or resurfacing. 

Waterproof Finishes. Waterproofing results from coating a fabric and filling the pores with film-forming material such as varnish, mbber, nitroceUulose, wax, tar, or plastic. The materials may be appHed as hot melts, eg, waxes or some polymers, as solvent solutions, or as aqueous latexes. The continuity of the film provides the water resistance. Except for tents, tarpauHns, and covers, coated fabrics have been largely replaced by plastics, and by fabrics treated with water and oU repeUents that do not reduce permeabUity to air and water vapor. Eabrics are also commonly laminated to films, such that the total stmeture is waterproof (15), or in some cases water-resistant but breathable (16). 

---