INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS CROSS-LINKING AGENTS IN ACRYLIC EMULSION POLYMER & ITS APPLICATION PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Emulsion polymerization technique is used for manufacturing of water based acrylic lamination adhesives. This technology offers environmental compliance in comparison of solvent borne polyurethane lamination adhesives. The monomer selection was based on the formation of copolymers with low Tg homopolymers (E.g. BA, 2-EHA) & the addition of the high Tg monomers (E.g. MMA, STY, AA). In this project work the three cross-linking agents used were Acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM), 2-Hydroxy ethyl acrylate (HEA) & Hyrdoxy propyl acrylate (HPA) with different three copolymer monomers - 1. Butyl acrylate (BA), Methyl methacrylate (MMA) & Acrylic acid (AA). 2. Butyl acrylate (BA), Styrene (STY) & Acrylic acid (AA). 3. Butyl acrylate (BA), Methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-Ethyl hexyl acrylate (2-EHA) & Acrylic acid (AA). Highest bond strength (85 - 95 gf/15mm) between the laminate structure plain PET to m-PET was observed in experiment no. 3P-6 i.e. acrylic emulsion with copolymers of Butyl acrylate (BA), Methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-Ethyl hexyl acrylate (2-EHA), Acrylic acid (AA) & Hyrdoxy propyl acrylate (HPA). Highest bond strength (80 - 90 gf/15mm) between the laminate structure plain PET to m-BOPP was observed in two experiments i.e. experiment no. 1P-3 & 3P6. In the experiment no. 1P-3; acrylic emulsion with copolymers of Butyl acrylate (BA), Styrene (STY), Acrylic acid (AA) & Acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM) & in experiment no. 3P-6; acrylic emulsion with copolymers of Butyl acrylate (BA), Methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-Ethyl hexyl acrylate (2-EHA), Acrylic acid (AA) & Hyrdoxy propyl acrylate (HPA) was used.