The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of monomer composition in core‐shell latex prepared from co‐polymer of styrene‐butylacrylate (BA)‐methyl methacrylate (MMA) and their paint properties.
The core‐shell latex was prepared by a stepwise semi‐batch emulsion polymerisation. A set of dispersion was made with the different core‐shell compositions. The core phase consists of a copolymer of styrene‐BA‐acrylic acid (AA) and the shell phase consists of a copolymer of MMA‐AA. The properties of latex were determined by solid content, viscosity, pH and particle size. Subsequently, emulsion paint (PVC‐37 per cent and NVM‐53 per cent) was prepared using core‐shell latex. The paint properties were determined by block resistance, gloss, elongation at break, etc. The particle morphology was characterised with transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Core‐shell structure of latex was confirmed by TEM. The performance of core‐shell latex has been optimised and the best combination achieved with 25‐40 per cent of hard phase in core‐shell latex.
Although the core‐shell structured latex was prepared from co‐polymer of styrene‐BA‐MMA monomer, the system could be extended with other monomers depending on the end use of surface coating.
The paint industry may use this method to improve paint properties.
The paper shows that, by use of core‐shell latex, it is possible to achieve high‐block resistance, hardness, elasticity and gloss.
