Crosslinkable acrylic-melamine latex produced by miniemulsion polymerization

Abstract

Nowadays, crosslinkable polymers are highly demanded in applications where improved thermal, mechanical, and chemical strengths are required. Among crosslinkable polymers, those with film forming capability (e.g., coatings and adhesives) are of particular interest. This work investigated the miniemulsion polymerization of various acrylic monomer formulations in the presence of an iso-butylated melamine-formaldehyde resin with the aim of obtaining waterborne nanocomposites with controlled crosslinkable capabilities. Variation of the acrylic monomer formulation showed a significant influence on the degree of crosslinking, and consequently, on the final properties of the acrylic/melamine nanocomposite particles, their coalesced films at room temperature and those cured at high temperature. Thereafter, these results offer the opportunity of obtaining waterborne acrylic/melamine nanocomposites with different post-crosslinking capabilities.