Overcoming the Obstacles in Formulating Solventbased Low VOC
Overcoming the Obstacles in Formulating Solvent-based Low VOC Acrylic Twocomponent Urethanes Jeffrey Janos Technical Specialist JPCL Webinar October 30, 2014
Overcoming the Obstacles in Formulating Solvent-based Low VOC Acrylic Twocomponent Urethanes n Low VOC - Definition n Regulations/Drivers n Acrylic Resin Manufacture n Characteristics of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Formulation Methods to Enhance Properties n Test Methods n Summary
What is a “VOC” in the coatings industry? n Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds (typically solvents) that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary temperatures. Their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate into the surrounding air. These “volatiles” can form the precursors of chemical smog. In the United States and other locations globally, laws have been created to limit the amounts of these materials released into the atmosphere in an attempt to decrease air pollution.
Present VOC Regulations National Category California AIM Rule 1 CARB OTC 3, 4/Canada South Coast *See Below Current New SCM 2010 Current Sanding Sealers 550 350 275** 275 Primer, Sealer, Under coaters 400 200 100 200 Quick Dry Sealers 450 200 275 100 200 Lacquer Sanding Sealer 680 550 275** 550 250 2502 2505 Varnishes (W/B, S/B, 2 K ) 450 350 275** 350 Conversion Varnish 725 350 275** 725 - - 450 680 550 275** 550 - 680 275** 680 730 730*** 730 SEALERS STAINS Stain, Semi-transparent TOPCOATS/FINISHES Conjugated Oil Varnish Lacquers Clear Brushing Lacquer Shellacs – Clear See “footnotes” at end of presentation
Manufacture of Acrylic Polyol Resins n Processes Ø Solution Batch & Semibatch Process Ø Continuous Stirred-tank Process Ø Plug Flow Process
Polymer “Batch” Reactor
Methods of Formulating Low VOC Acrylic Urethanes n Use of low viscosity acrylic polyols n Reactive diluents n Use of low viscosity isocyanates n Exempt solvents n Fillers
Low Viscosity Acrylic Polyols n Acrylic Resins with Low Viscosities n Explanation Ø Low molecular weight → Lower hydrodynamic volume Ø Molecules with fewer polar groups (-COOH, Urethanes, etc. ) → Less intermolecular hydrogen bonding Ø Low polydispersity (Mw/Mn) → Less high Mw compounds Ø Using branched molecules → Lower hydrodynamic volume Ø Using solutions with good solubility → Formulation of gel-like structures prevented Ø Low glass transition (Tg) temperatures → Lower hydrodynamic volume
Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Positives n Negatives Ø Lower solvent release Ø Slower cure Ø Ability to apply with less coats Ø Weatherability Ø Chemical resistance Ø Corrosion resistance Ø Lower abrasion resistance Ø Slower hardness development Ø More difficult to control gloss Ø Cost
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Slower Cure Ø Increase catalyst levels Ø Use more reactive diluents Ø Use modified “fast cure” polyols Ø Use more reactive isocyanates Ø Use blends of other faster reacting resins with the acrylic
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Weatherability Ø Use combinations of hindered amines & UV absorbers Ø Minimize use of monomers with poor UV resistance Ø Use blends of higher Tg & lower Tg acrylics Ø Increase opacity Ø Nano-Ti. O 2 Ø Minimize the amount of catalyst in the formulation Color Change 8. 0 7. 0 473 Hrs 1000 Hrs 6. 0 1639 Hrs 5. 0 ΔE 4. 0 3. 0 2. 0 1. 0 0. 0 Acrylic A w/ UVA Acrylic B Polyester w/UVA w/ UVA
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Chemical/Corrosion Resistance Ø Increase crosslink density Ø Increase Tg of film Ø Use blends of higher Tg & lower Tg acrylics Ø Hydrophobic additives Ø Over indexing with isocyanates
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Lower Abrasion Resistance Ø Incorporation of resin “tougheners” like linear acrylics, polyesters, amines & caprolactones Ø Surface active ingredients Ø Slight under indexing with isocyanates
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Slower Hardness Development König Hardness over Time 140 120 Ø Increase catalyst amounts or change to a more reactive one Ø Use blends of higher Tg & lower Tg acrylics Ø Increase pigment to binder ratio 100 80 1 Day Hardness 3 Days 60 7 Days 40 30 Days 20 0 High Mw Med. Mw Acrylic Urethanes Low Mw
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Difficult to Control Gloss Ø Amorphous, treated silica aerogels Ø High molecular weight waxes Ø Polymeric resin matting agents
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance of Low Mw Acrylic Polyols n Cost Ø Increased isocyanate demand Ø Higher solids Ø Use of specialty monomers
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance when using Exempt Solvents n USA → Acetone, methyl acetate, PCBTF, t-BAC, dimethyl carbonate & propylene carbonate in some locations n Canada → Acetone, methyl acetate, PCBTF, t-BAC n Global → Check local regulations
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance when using Reactive Diluents n Low Tg acrylics → Can improve flexibility, weathering n Low Mw polyesters or diols → Flexibility n OH functional oils → Castor types, add color to system n Oxazolidine → Moisture activated n Other amine functional resins → Ketimine, aspartic, aldimine
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance when using Fillers n Minerals → Low oil absorption talcs, barytes, carbonates n Glass or mineral spheres → Low density, minimal surface area but expensive n Polymeric → Special purpose but expensive
Formulation Tips to Enhance the Performance when using Low Viscosity Isocyanates n Low viscosity HDI trimers (Isocyanates) Ø Best performance n HDI allophanates Ø Lower crosslink density n HDI uretdiones Ø Lower crosslink density
Test Methods n Hardness & Hardness Development Ø Pencil – ASTM D 3363 Ø Pendulum Hardness – ASTM D 4366, ISO 1522 König Pendulum Hardness - Clears 140 120 100 80 Swings 60 40 Days 20 0 1 3 7 30
Test Methods n Weathering Ø QUVA & B – ASTM G 154 Ø Weather-O-Meter – ASTM C 1442 Ø Exterior Exposure (Florida, Arizona, etc. ) – ASTM 7869, 7356
Test Methods n Corrosion Resistance Ø Salt Spray – ASTM B 117 Ø Cyclic Prohesion – ASTM G 85
Test Methods n Dry Time Ø Mechanical Method – ASTM D 5895 Ø Manual “Finger” Method – ASTM D 1640 n Pot-life Ø Double Initial Viscosity – ASTM D 1084
Test Methods n Abrasion Resistance Ø Tabor Method – ASTM D 4060 Ø “Falling Sand” Method – ASTM D 968
Test Methods n Gloss Ø Specular Gloss – ASTM D 523 n Film Appearance Ø Distinctness-of-Image – ASTM D 5767
Summary n VOC regulations are becoming more & more significant to coating manufacturing companies. n Five primary methods of developing low VOC acrylic urethanes include use of low molecular weight polyols, reactive diluents, low viscosity isocyanates, exempt solvents & fillers. n Low molecular weight acrylic systems have the lowest solvent content & are globally accepted. Exempt systems are only applicable is regional areas. n Many short-comings of using low molecular weight acrylics can be overcome or minimized by careful formulating techniques.
While the descriptions, designs, data and information contained herein are presented in good faith and believed to be accurate, they are provided for guidance only. Because many factors may affect processing or application/use, BASF recommends that the reader make tests to determine the suitability of a product for a particular purpose prior to use. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING PRODUCTS DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE PRODUCTS, DESCRIPTIONS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. In no case shall the descriptions, information, data or designs provided be considered a part of BASF's terms and conditions of sale. Further, the descriptions, designs, data, and information furnished by BASF hereunder are given gratis and BASF assumes no obligation or liability for the descriptions, designs, data or information given or results obtained all such being given and accepted at the reader's risk. ® registered trademarks of BASF Group. © BASF Corporation, 2014
Footnotes * OTC States: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine (except varnish & stain), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia (Only Northern Virginia & Fredericksburg Emissions Control Areas which includes: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford & Spotsylvania Counties; Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas Park & Fredericksburg). ** Quart exemption has been eliminated for Varnishes, Sanding Sealer and Lacquers in the South Coast Air District *** Shellacs manufactured after 12/31/06 are not allowed to be used on wood flooring in South Coast 1 - EPA revising the National AIM Rule similar to OTC Phase I limits 2 - Interior 3 - RI adopted OTC Phase I 4 - LADCO States – OH, IL & IN has adopted OTC Phase I limits, plus added Conjugated Oil Varnish 5 - Interior Wiping Stains (Canada only)
Questions?
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