Finely particulate composite latices and use thereof in solvent-free paints

Composite latex whose average particle size is between 30 and 150 nm, as these particles result from polymerization of a mixture hydrophobic monomers composed of styrene and (meth)acrylic esters to produce an emulsion in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble or water-dispersible amphiphilic copolymer having a molecular weight of between 500 and 5,000 and whose acid number of less than 500, said latex being composed of a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers incorporating carboxylic acid functions in the presence of a radical-producing initiator, wherein said aqueous water-soluble amphiphilic polymer is free of any other surfactant or protective colloid and wherein the mass percentage of amphiphilic copolymer in relation to the dry extract of the latex between 10 and 50%.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention concerns the manufacture of composite latexes 
incorporating especially fine particle sizes, but without conventional 
surfactants, that is, non-polymeric surfactants, these latexes being 
intended for any application in which effective impregnation and the 
imparting of a degree of water-repellency are required. 
Dispersion fineness is an imperative in such uses, since it determines the 
capacity of the dispersion to impregnate the substrate. The advantage of a 
latex whose particle size ranges between 30 nm and 150 nm is generally 
recognized. 
PRIOR ART 
The latexes whose use has become standardized in industry, for example 
those disclosed in German Patent Application No. DE 25 48393, consist of 
aqueous dispersions derived from the following successive operations: 
1) Synthesis, in a solvent medium (mixable with water) of a prepolymer 
(hereinafter termed polymer A) based on a combination of hydrophobic and 
hydrophilic monomers carrying carboxylic acid functions; neutralization of 
the acid functions; and dilution of the polymer A in water. 
2) Emulsion-producing polymerization of a mixture of hydrophobic monomers 
(B monomers) composed of styrene and of (meth)acrylic esters in the medium 
produced in step 1, above. 
However, interference effects produced in these emulsions may occur: among 
others, water-sensitivity of the emulsion after film formation caused 
therein by the presence of surfactants, most notably non-polymeric, 
non-ionic surfactants such as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, or anionic 
polymeric surfactants, such as sodium oleate or sodium laurylsulfate, as 
mentioned, for example, in the process disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 
4,868,259 (Goodyear). Furthermore, the law now tends to remove from the 
marketplace those products which contain volatile organic solvents. Now, 
implementation of polymerization techniques according to prior art makes 
it impossible, first, in the polymer A preparation phase, to avoid the use 
of solvents, which remain in the preparation, and second, to obtain 
equally fine particle sizes without using very sizable quantities of 
non-polymeric surfactants. 
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
The composite latexes according to the invention fulfill these 
requirements. These latexes, whose average particle diameter is between 30 
and 150 nm, are produced by polymerization of a mixture of 
ethylenically-unsaturate hydrophobic monomers, for example a mixture of 
styrene and (meth)acrylic esters, into an emulsion in an aqueous solution 
of a water-soluble or water-dispersible amphiphilic polymer have a 
number-average molecular weight (Mn) of between 500 and 5,000 and whose 
acid number is less than 500, a polymer which is itself composed of a 
combination of ethylenically-unsaturate hydrophobic monomers and 
ethylenically-unsaturate hydrophilic monomers incorporating carboxylic 
acid functions, said aqueous water-soluble amphiphilic polymer solution 
being free of any other surfactant or protective colloid. This polymer, 
whose molecular weight is very substantially lower than those of the 
polymers A according to prior art will hereinafter, and for simplicity of 
language, be termed "the oligomer." Polymerization is carried out in the 
presence of a radical-producing initiator. 
Latexes of this type were disclosed in EP-A-675177 (Goodrich). The latexes 
according to the invention have a mass percent of amphiphilic oligomer in 
relation to the final dry extract of between 10 and 50%, a level 
constituting a compromise between the conflicting properties of the 
oligomers and those of the monomers undergoing polymerization, by virtue 
of which compromise there is now available a finely-particulate dispersion 
which is stable over time and whose coalescent films are not overly 
sensitive to water. Analysis of the latexes obtained according to the 
invention show that their free oligomer percentage is less than the level 
that would be expected if this oligomer had functioned solely as a monomer 
dispersant or as a protective colloid. One portion of this oligomer is 
quite clearly incorporated into the particles which form the dispersed 
phase of the latex. This supposition is confirmed by measuring the 
transition temperature of the products obtained, a temperature which 
differs appreciably from that which would be expected from the simple 
copolymer of the hydrophobic monomers undergoing polymerization in the 
amphiphilic oligomer solution. Quantitative analysis of the aqueous phase 
of the dispersion, which is free of latex particles and which is produced 
following high-speed centrifugation, also confirms this hypothesis, since 
only a portion of the initial oligomer is present in the aqueous phase 
after this centrifugation operation. In this way, a portion of the 
starting oligomer fixes to the latex particles, and, because of this fact, 
the latexes according to the invention are termed composite latexes. 
In these systems, the hydrophobic monomers undergoing polymerization in the 
amphiphilic oligomer solution may be either styrene or the derivatives 
thereof, a (meth)acrylic ester, including fluorinated monomers derived 
from the esterification of (meth)acrylic acid using a perfluorinated 
alcohol, or a mixture of these monomers. 
The amphiphilic oligomer is preferably a copolymer of one or several 
hydrophobic monomers from the group comprising styrene or the derivatives 
thereof, isobutylene or the derivatives thereof, and (meth)acrylic esters, 
and one or several hydrophilic monomers from the group comprising 
(meth)acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, the latter being potentially 
modified by an alcohol or an amine, provided that, in this modified form, 
it remains water-soluble or water-dispersible in an aqueous medium. 
Preference is reserved for styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers whose 
maleic anhydride component is partially modified or unmodified by an 
alcohol or an amine and whose acid number lies between 150 and 500, and 
preferably between 200 and 300. These copolymers are obtained according to 
the mass copolymerization technique described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,994 
(Sinclair). The moderate acid number requirement (maximum of 500) may be 
met by using copolymers containing a limited percentage of maleic 
anhydride. Use may also be made of resins modified by esterification or 
partial amidation of the maleic anhydride. As regards partial 
esterification, preference is given to C3-C18 linear aliphatic alcohols, 
cyclic alcohols such as cyclohexanol, or alcohols produced by 
etherification of ethylene or propylene glycol. As regards the modifying 
amines, preference is given to C3-C 18 aliphatic amines or cyclic amines, 
such as cyclohexamine, or, alternatively, amines which incorporate both a 
primary and a tertiary amine, such as dimethylaminopropylamine. 
Emulsion polymerization of the hydrophobic monomers is carried out 
conventionally in the presence of water-soluble initiators, such as 
ammonium, potassium, or sodium persulfates, or in the presence of hydrogen 
peroxide and oxidation-reduction catalysts. The polymerization temperature 
is between 40 and 90.degree. C., and preferably between 65 and 85.degree. 
C. The solid material concentration ranges between 20 and 60%, and 
preferably between 25 and 45%. Polymerization can be carried out using a 
sealed reaction vessel or by implementing a semi-continuous technique. In 
the first instance, the monomers and the initiator are placed in their 
entirety in the oligomer A solution at the start of polymerization, and 
the medium is kept at constant temperature while stirring for a period of 
between 2 and 4 hours. In the second instance, two dosing pumps authorize 
the continuous feed, the one, of the monomer mixture, and the other, of 
the initiator solution, into the oligomer solution which is stirred 
continuously and kept at constant temperature. The monomers and the 
initiator are added within a period of between 30 minutes and 4 hours, 
depending on the quantity and nature of the monomers to be added. When the 
monomers and the initiator have been poured in, the medium is stirred 
continuously and kept at constant temperature for between 0 and 4 hours, 
so as to complete polymerization of the monomers. 
The fineness of the dispersion of the composite latexes according to the 
invention, as well as the absence of any surfactant in the formulation 
hereof, makes them highly prized in various fields in which effective 
impregnation of a substrate and a degree of water-repellency are required: 
bulk or surface adhesive bonding of paper; leather finishing; textiles 
processing; paints and surface coatings for wood; paints for concrete, 
cement, plaster, tiles, and metals; additives for cements and mortars, 
inks and overprint inks and varnishes; adhesives for floor tiles, 
additives for cement and mortar; non-pigmented coatings for leather, 
metal, and plastics. They form, most notably, excellent bulk or surface 
paper-bonding agents and excellent solvent-free paint-formulation 
auxiliaries. The invention also concerns solvent-free paints which 
incorporate these composite latexes as film-forming auxiliaries.

EXAMPLES 
In the following examples, particle size was measured using a Coulter N4SD 
apparatus. The molecular weights were calculated by GPC in a THF+5% acetic 
acid solvent medium on "PL-Gel" chromatographic columns. 
Example 1 
Prior Art (Example 7 of Pat. No. DE 2,548,393) 
22.62 g acrylic acid, 40 g isopropanol, 80 g styrene, and 55 g of a 
dimethylformamide solution containing 15 g maleic anhydride and 3 g 
azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were fed in succession into a glass 
three-necked 3-liter reaction vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer. 
The mixture was heated to 80.degree. C. under nitrogen and while stirring, 
and was kept under these conditions for 5 hours. At the end of this 
period, 650 ml of water and 45 ml of a 28% ammonia solution were added. 
This mixture dissolved in about 15 minutes at 70.degree. C. Next, 15 g 
sodium oleate were added to this solution. 
Copolymer A having been produced in this way, a mixture of 130 g styrene, 
150 g butyl acrylate, and a solution of 5 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 
O.sub.8 in 100 g water were added thereto continuously at 85.degree. C., 
under nitrogen and while stirring over about two hours, using a dosing 
pump. 
The reaction medium was kept for an additional 2 hours at 85.degree. C., 
then cooled while stirring non-vigorously. In this way, a composite latex 
having the following characteristics was obtained: 
Dry extract: 35.5% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 9,400 mPa.s 
pH: 8.5 
Average particle diameter: 434 nm. 
The adverse properties of the composite latex obtained in this example may 
be noted: 
large particle size&gt;100 nm, 
presence of surfactant, 
presence of organic solvent. 
Example 2 
(according to the invention) 
1,269 g of an oligomer having a molecular weight of 1,900 composed of 74.3% 
by weight styrene and 25.7% by weight maleic anhydride, 6.825 g 
demineralized water, and 500 g 28% ammonia in water were fed in succession 
into a glass three-necked 20-liter reaction vessel equipped with a 
mechanical stirrer. All of the reagents were heated to 60.degree. C. and 
stirred continuously until dissolution of the oligomer. The mixture was 
heated to 85.degree. C., then a mixture of 1,374 g styrene, 1,587 g butyl 
acrylate, and a solution of 52.9 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 in 
1,057 g were added continuously over two hours using dosing pumps at 
85.degree. C. under nitrogen and while stirring to the oligomer solution 
prepared as before. The reaction medium was kept for an additional 2 hours 
at 85.degree. C., then cooled while stirring non-vigorously. 
A composite latex having the following characteristics was obtained: 
Dry extract: 23.5% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 20 mPa.s 
pH: 8.85 
Average particle diameter: 55 nm. 
Tg: 25.degree. C. 
The fineness of the particle size as compared with that in Example 1 
according to prior art can be seen. It will also be noted that the Tg 
differs substantially from that of the styrene/butyl acrylate copolymer 
which was polymerized under the same conditions, but without any oligomer, 
which is covered under Example 3. 
Example 3 
(Control) 
This example is intended to show the essential contribution the oligomer 
makes to the final properties of the composite latex. It is produced under 
the same conditions as those in Example 2, but in the presence of 
conventional non-polymeric surfactants in order to fulfill the dispersant 
function assigned to the oligomer according to the invention. 
14,919 g demineralized water, 80.13 g polyethylene glycol isotridecylether 
and 32.04 g polyethylene glycol sodium sulfate lauryl ether were fed in 
succession into a glass three-necked 20-liter reaction vessel. The 
reagents were stirred at ambient temperature until a homogeneous solution 
was obtained. 
After dissolution, the mixture was heated to 85.degree. C. and, under 
nitrogen and while stirring, a mixture of 1,374 g styrene, 1,587 g butyl 
acrylate, and a solution of 52.9 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 in 
1,057 g water was added continuously over two hours. The reaction medium 
was kept for another 2 hours at 85.degree. C., then cooled while stirring 
non-vigorously. A latex having the following properties was obtained: 
Dry extract: 19.5% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 15 mPa.s 
pH: 1.85 
Average particle size: 293 nm 
Tg=15.degree. C. 
It will be noted that, despite the relatively sizable quantities of 
conventional surfactants in relation to the monomers, an especially fine 
particular dispersion was not produced. 
Example 4 
This example and the one that follows are intended to show the flexible 
nature of the polymerization according to the invention of the monomers 
used. 1,269 g of the same oligomer used in Example 2, 6,825 g 
demineralized water, and 500 g 28% ammonia in water were fed into a glass 
three-necked 20-liter reaction vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer. 
The reagents were heated to 60.degree. C. and stirred continuously until 
dissolution of the dispersant-effect copolymer of low molecular weight. 
The solution was heated to 85.degree. C. and, under nitrogen and while 
stirring, a mixture of 1,586 g styrene, 687 g butyl acrylate, 687 g 
isobutyl acrylate, and a solution of 52.9 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 
O.sub.8 in 1,057 g water was added continuously over two hours. The 
reaction medium was kept at 85.degree. for another two hours, then cooled 
while stirring non-vigorously. 
A latex possessing the following properties was obtained: 
Dry extract: 23.4% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 15 mPa.s 
pH: 8.8 
Average particle size: 54 nm. 
Example 5 
120 g of the oligomer used in Example 2, 1,150 g demineralized water, and 
47.5 g 28% ammonia in water were fed in succession into a glass 
three-necked 3-liter reaction vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer. 
The reagents were heated to 60.degree. C. and stirred continuously until 
dissolution of the dispersant-effect copolymer having low molecular 
weight. The reagents were heated to 60.degree. C. and stirred continuously 
until dissolution of the oligomer. Next, the solution was heated to 
85.degree. C. under nitrogen and while stirring, then a mixture of 140 g 
styrene, 70 g butyl acrylate, 70 g 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and a solution 
of 5 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 in 100 were added continuously 
over two hours. The reaction medium was kept for another two hours at 
85.degree. C., then cooled while stirring non-vigorously. 
A latex having the following properties was obtained: 
Dry extract: 24.5% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 15 mPa.s 
pH: 8.8 
Average particle size: 46 nm. 
Example 6 
This example demonstrates the possible use as oligomer of a esterified 
styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer having a low molecular weight. 
120 g of an oligomer (molecular weight: 1,900) composed of 66.5% by weight 
styrene and 33.5% by weight maleic anhydride partially modified by 
n-propanol, 1,150 g demineralized water, and 32.5 g 28% ammonia in water 
were fed in succession into a glass three-necked 3-liter reaction vessel 
equipped with a mechanical stirred. The reagents were heated to 60.degree. 
C. and stirred continuously until dissolution of the oligomer. Next, the 
solution was heated to 85.degree. C. under nitrogen and while stirring, 
then a mixture of 130 g styrene, 150 g butyl acrylate, and a solution of 5 
g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 in 100 g water were added continuously 
over two hours. The reaction medium was kept for another two hours at 
85.degree. C., then cooled while stirring non-vigorously. 
A latex having the following properties was obtained: 
Dry extract: 24.5% 
Brookfield viscosity at 23.degree. C.: 20 mPa.s 
pH: 8.8 
Average particle size: 85 nm. 
Example 7 
(comparative example) 
This example used as a comparison to Example 2 is intended to show the 
influence of the molecular weight of the oligomer on the dispersion 
properties. 
120 g of an oligomer (molecular weight: 10,000) composed of 74.3% by mass 
styrene and 25.7% by mass maleic anhydride, 1,150 g demineralized water, 
and 32.5 g 28% ammonia in water were fed in succession into a glass 
three-necked 3-liter reaction vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer. 
The reagents were heated to 60.degree. C. and stirred continuously until 
dissolution of the oligomer. Next, the solution was heated to 85.degree. 
C. under nitrogen and while stirring, then a mixture of 130 g styrene, 150 
g butyl acrylate, and a solution of 5 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 
in 100 g water were added continuously over two hours. The reaction medium 
was kept for another two hours at 85.degree. C., then cooled while 
stirring non-vigorously. 
A latex having the following properties was obtained: 
Dry extract: 24.5% 
Average particle size: 234 nm. 
It will be noted that, although the starting oligomer had the same chemical 
composition as that in Example 2, the difference in molecular weights 
between the two oligomers gave dispersions having quite different 
properties, in particular as regards particle size. 
Example 8 
Use in formulating solvent-free paints. 
Two paints were formulated using the following composition: 
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Water 251.1 
Natrosol 250 HHR (cellulose thickening agent) 4.0 
NOPCO (8034) anti-foaming agent) 2.2 
COATEX P90 (dispersing agent) 1.9 
MERGAL KGN (bactericide) 1.4 
TiO2 RL 68 (pigment) 110.0 
LUZENAC 20MO (talc/filler) 50.0 
HYDROCARB (CO3-Ca - filler) 200.0 
DURCAL 5 (CO3Ca - filler) 270.0 
Latex 107.4 
NaOH (20% alkaline solution) 2.0 
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The latexes used in these formulae were produced using the process 
described in Examples 4-6, the styrene/maleic anhydride containing 50.5% 
styrene and 49.5% maleic anhydride having a molecular weight of Mn=1,600 
and an acid number of between 465 and 495. The compositions of the latexes 
are given in the following table, in which the latex according to prior 
art is taken from EP-675177 (already cited). The "properties" heading of 
the table shows one of the advantages of the latexes according to the 
invention as compared with one formulation according to prior art, which 
uses very high oligomer/dry extract ratios, this one advantage lying in 
the formulation of paints possessing a very low minimum film-forming 
temperature (MFT), which thus form a film easily in cold and temperate 
climates. The MFT is measured on a Coesfeld bench in accordance with the 
ISO 21/15 standard. For the comparative example, the MFT exceeds the 
experimental measurement capabilities. 
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Latex According 
Latex According 
Constituents (weight) to the Invention to Prior Art 
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Resin 240 520 
Water 1,110 840.4 
28% ammonia 136.8 296.4 
Styrene 207.2 103.6 
Butyl acrylate 341.6 170.8 
Acrylic acid 5.6 2.8 
Acrylamide 5.6 2.8 
(NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.8 10 5 
in water 200 200 
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______________________________________ 
Properties 
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Dry extract 45.6 45.6 
Brookfield viscosity 2,300 2,800 
pH 8.55 9.75 
Average diameter 127 nm 72 nm 
MFT &lt;0.degree. C. &gt;73.degree. C. 
Outer Tg 170.degree. C. 170.degree. C. 
Core Tg 8.degree. C. 8.degree. C. 
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These matte paints were assessed for wet abrasion in accordance with the 
DIN 53778/2 standard on films measuring 90-100 .mu.m in thickness, after 
drying for 8 days at 23.degree. C. under 50% relative humidity. The 
results are given below: 
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Latex Strength in Cycles 
______________________________________ 
According to the invention 
482 
According to prior art 300 
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Example 9 
Use in the formulation of solvent-free gloss paints. 
Two paints were formulated as follows: 
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Water 137.9 
Natrosol Plus 430 (cellulose thickening agent) 1.0 
NOPCO 8034 (anti-foaming agent) 3.0 
COATEX P90 (dispersing agent) 5.0 
ACTICIDE (bactericide) 2.0 
TiO2 RHD2 (pigment) 226.0 
LUZENAC 20MO (talc/filler) 50.0 
DURCAL 2 (CO3-Ca - filler) 61.6 
DURCAL 5 (CO3Ca - filler) 41.1 
Latex 516.1 
RHEOLATE 278 (thickening agent) 5.1 
NH4OH (28% aqueous solution) 1.0 
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The latexes used in these formulations are those in the preceding example 
(Example 8). 
These gloss paints were characterized by measuring film-formation at 
5.degree. C., surface adhesiveness, and gloss at 60.degree. C. 
The ability of the paint to form a film at 5.degree. C. was assessed in the 
following way. The paint formulation was applied to a glass plate in a 
thickness of 300 .mu.m. The plate was then left at 5.degree. under 
relative humidity of 70% for 18 hours, so that film formation could take 
place under extreme conditions of use. One hour after returning to ambient 
temperature (20.degree. C. ), any cracking could be seen with the naked 
eye. Good film-forming ability can be deduced from an absence of cracks. 
Gloss was evaluated by the reflection of light at an angle of 60.degree. , 
in accordance with the DIN 53778 standard. 
Surface adhesiveness was evaluated as follows: The paint to the tested was 
applied on a Leneta black-and-white contrast card, using a dumbbell-shaped 
applicator Bird) and in a thickness of 200 .mu.m. Six cards were prepared 
to conduct three trials. After drying for four hours in a climatic oven at 
23.degree. C. under 50% relative humidity, the cards were placed in 
contact with each other in pairs, painted surface against painted surface, 
and placed in a sandwich between two ground glass plates (75.times.100 
mm). The sandwich was laid flat and a weight of 3,750 grams 50 g/cm.sup.3) 
was placed on it. This assembly was left in a room at 23.degree. C., 50% 
relative humidity, for 24 hours. The pairs were then separated by pulling 
evenly. 
Use was made of a grading scale of surface adhesiveness going from 0 
(excellent) to 8 (zero surface adhesiveness). 
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0 no attachment, no noise when the cards were separated 
(the cards slid on themselves) 
1 noise, but no surface alteration 
2 less than 10 points of pull-away over the entire surface 
3 less than 50 points of pull-away 
4 more than 50 points of pull-away, but no substantial 
localized pull-away 
5 localized pull-away of the cardboard over less than 
50% of the total surface 
6 localized pull-away of the cardboard, from 20 to 50% 
7 localized pull-away of the cardboard, greater than 50% 
8 pull-away of the cardboard over the entire surface. 
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The results of these three trials are given below: 
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Paint Film Formation 
Gloss Adhesiveness 
______________________________________ 
according to the invention 
good 19.5% 0 
according to prior art poor 19.0% 0 
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These result indicate good performance of the two paints tested as regards 
gloss and adhesiveness. However, the advantage accrues to the paint which 
exhibits these properties when, addition, it easily forms a film at low 
temperature.