Emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerization of acrylic monomers in the presence of alkyd resin

Abstract

Emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerizations were carried out with acrylic monomers (methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid) in the presence of an alkyd resin. Poly(methyl methacrylate) was used as a hydrophobe or cosurfactant in the miniemulsion reactions. The results demonstrate that miniemulsion polymerization is the preferred process, probably because of mass transport limitations of the alkyd in the conventional emulsion polymerization reactions. The monomer emulsions prepared for the miniemulsion reactions were much more stable and the polymerizations were free of coagulum. Reaction rates, particle size characteristics, grafting efficiencies, and some film properties were measured. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.