PROTECTIVE COATINGS

initiator used, the more free radicals generated. The more

chains initiated, the less monomer available for growth of
each chain, and the shorter the chains. The concentration
of monomer in the total reactor charge also has an effect.
For the most part, low concentrations produce lower molecular weight. In this case, however, the final non-volatile
content of the solution will be low. Unless solvent is
removed after completion of the reaction, this method will
not result in higher solids.
One of the most effective ways of controlling molecular
weight is by chain transfer. Small additions (less than 0.5
percent of the monomer weight) of chemicals such as tbutyl mercaptan are used effectively. The chemicals cap the
ends of the growing chain by giving up an unstable (labile)
hydrogen atom, which transfers to the growing polymer
chain. The residue of the chain transfer agent, now bearing
the free radical, is then able to act as an initiator and begins
a brand new chain. Certain solvents may also react in this
manner, although they are not so effective. For this reason,
the choice of solvent for the reaction can be important.
The molecular j &ighLjpf a traditional thermoplastic
acrylic resin may range^JromjQ^OO to 150,000 Thp rpsins

are pnrrnftlly sold as 40 percent to 60 percent weight soHds

solutions (sometimes free of solvent as clear, solid beads of
polymer, known as prills). These molecular weights prevent
the formulation of applicable lacquers at much more than
40 percent by volume. (VOCs are in the range of 550 to 600
g/L [4.5 to 5 lbs/gal.].)

Utility
Traditional thermoplastic acrylics were originally used as
nitrocellulose replacements. They have f>jfp)ten\ ^s^taD
tn nlf-ravinlpf light and can be blended to provide formulations with a range of properties, depending upon monomer
selection. 1 In maintenance applications, the acrylics are
still used to modify vinvl chloride/acetate resi&s to upgrade
their resistance to ultraviolet light attack. In the extreme
case, they were used as maintenance finish coats over highbuild vinyl mid-coats. Acrylic lacquers have been used for
numerous applications. In aiitornotmeJknshing and particularly jyfinUhing applications, they were widely used
because of their ability to reflow on heating after sanding
operations. They have also been used as clears in original
equipment manufacture (OEM) applications for floor and

Methylol groups may be built into an acrylic by taking an acry-lamide or

methacrylamide copolymer and reacting the pen-' dant amide groups
with formaldehyde.

The resultant methylol groups may be etherified with butanol

(under acid conditions) to give a butoxy terminated polymer.

This and/or the methylol terminated moiety can then be used to

react with aminoplasts, epoxy or carboxy terminated resins or can be
homopolymerized.

Fig. 8-4
Formation of methylol and butoxy methyl acrylics

100