THICKENERS FOR EMULSION PAINTS

Abstract: The thickener comprises: (a) 25 - 45% of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid or a mixture thereof; (b) 25 - 65% of alkyl acrylate such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, lauryl meth­ acrylate or a mixture thereof; (c) 1 - 40% of an ester of composition; in which R is a C₁₂ - C₂₅ alkyl group, n = at least 10; m = at least 5 A = H, -(CH₂CH₂O) n - R, C₁ - C₂₀ alkyl, -(CH₂CH₂O)m-H or -(CH₂CH₂O) m -CH₃ (d) 0 - 1% of a polyethylenically unsaturated monomer effective for chain branching or crosslinking such as diallyl maleate, diallyl phthalate, divinyl benzene, allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or trimethylol propane triacrylate.

Description: Background So-called "associative thickeners" have been exploited commercially in a wide range of coatings recently. Such thickeners show many advantages in emulsion paints over traditional thickeners, such as cellulosics and non-associative alkali-soluble acrylics, including better flow and levelling, improved application characteristics especially with rollers and good water resistance. A common feature of these associative thickeners is that they comprise molecules that contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections. The hydrophilic parts maintain the solubility of the molecule in the aqueous phase whilst the hydrophobic parts have a tendency to associate with the hydrophobic parts of dissolved or dispersed materials. One of the most economical types of prior art associative thickener is based on a copolymer of various (meth) acrylates and (meth) acrylic acid which has been modified to give branches from the main polymer chain consisting of a hydrophilic polyethylene oxide chain tipped by a moderately large hydrophobic group. Such associative branches are commonly introduced by the use of a monomer comprising an ester of a polymerisable mono-or di-carboxylic acid and a hydroxy terminated non-ionic surfactant. This class of monomer can be described by the formula: R₁ [CO₂-(CH₂CH₂O) n -R₂] m Where R₁ is an ethenyl or ethenylene group such as CH₂ = CH - CH₂ = C(CH₃) - - CH = CH - - CH = C(CH₃) - n is an integer between 10 and 100 m = 1 for when R₁ is ethenyl and m = 2 when R₁ is ethenylene R₂ is the hydrophobic part of the molecule which is commonly a C₁₂ to C₂₅ alkyl group, an alkyl (C₈ - C₉) phenyl or a polyalkylene (C₃ or C₄) oxide chain. The patent literature shows that several combinations of these components have already been recognised as having the potential for use in thickeners: EP 0 011 806 (Dow) suggests: R₁ is CH₂ = CH- or CH₂ = C(CH₃)- n = 6-100; m = 1 R₂ is alkyl phenol or propoxylated alkyl phenol EP 0 013 836 (Rohm and Haas) recommends: R₁ is CH₂ = CH- or CH₂ = C(CH₃)- n = 8-60; m = 1 R₂ is C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl GB 2 127 836 (Uniroyal) defines useful materials where: R₁ is - CH = CH - or - CH = C(CH₃) - n = 10-70; m = 2 R₂ is alkyl phenol JA 83 180 510 (Toyo Soda); Chem Abs. 1984 100 104062 suggests: n = (unspecified); m = 1 R₂ is C₁₈ alkyl Summary of Invention The present invention provides an improved thickener comprising a polymer prepared from the following components: (a) 25 - 45% methacrylic acid, acrylic acid or a mixture thereof; (b) 25 - 65% alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate or mixture thereof; (c) 1 - 40% of an ester of composition in which R is a C₁₂ - C₂₅ alkyl n = at least 10; m = at least 5 A = H, -(CH₂CH₂-O) n -R, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, -(CH₂CH₂-O) m -H or (CH₂CH₂-O) m -CH₃ (d) 0 - 1.0% of a polyethylenically unsaturated monomer which is effective for chain branching or crosslinking; and (e) not more than 10% of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrophylic monomer such as one having the general formula: where R is H or -CH₃; m is an integer between 0 and 10; n is an integer between 5 and 20. the total of components (a), (b), (c) (d) and (e) being in substance 100%, (all percentages by weight). Suitable monomers of component (b) are methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate. Examples of monomers of component (d) are diallymaleate, diallyl phthalate, divinyl benzene, allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and trimethylol propane triacrylate. Useful examples of component (e) are: Compositions according to the invention, when used as a thickener for emulsion paints, provide the properties expected from an associative thickener, namely, rheological control during application including good flow, levelling and freedom from roller spatter and good in-can structure. In addition they show an unexpected and remarkable improvement in paint stability and compatibility with the pigments or stainer used to colour the paint and an appearance of a pleasent slime-free pasty gel after storage. Typically, componenet (c) - the associate monomer - can be prepared as follows: 93.35 parts of an ethoxylated cetyl/oleyl alcohol containing 19 ethylene oxide units was heated with 6.65 parts of maleic anhydride at 150°C for 1 hour. The material was cooled and used without further treatment. Similar monomers were made using a variety of ethoxylated alcohols. Where the water content of these surfactants exceeded 0.5% they were dried by refluxing with toluene under a Dean and Stark water separator. Most of the toluene was removed under vacuum. A comparison of thickeners and paints with and without component (e) is now made: Without (e), a thickener was prepared. The following formulation (parts by weight) was used: A is charged to a 2 litre flask fitted with a thermometer, a reflux condenser and inlets for various materials, and purged with nitrogen whilst heating to 80 - 85°C. The monomers B are mixed together and stirred into C to form a pre-emulsion. 65g of the pre-emulsion is added to A at 80°C and followed by 50g of D. After completion of the initial reaction (10 minutes) the remainder of the pre-emulsion and D are fed into the flask steadily over a period of 1 hour. The temperature is maintained at 80 - 85°C. On completion of the feed the emulsion is held at 85°C for 15 minutes. E is added followed by a further hold period of 15 minutes. The emulsion is then cooled, discharged and filtered. Typical properties are: Non-volatile content 30.3% pH 3.6 Particle size <100 nm Grit retained on 53 micron sieve negligible Appearance low viscosity milky liquid Neutralised solution viscosity The pH of a 1% non-volatile dilution in water is raised to 9.0 - 9.5 with aqueous ammonia solution. The viscosity is measured using a Haake VT 24 viscometer with an MVI rotor at 25°C. Viscosity measurements on the example above were as follows: 525 cp at 13.25s⁻¹ 388 cp at 26.5 s⁻¹ 287 cp at 53.0 s⁻¹ 216 cp at 106 s⁻¹ 165 cp at 212 s⁻¹ 126 cp at 424 s⁻¹ Preparation of emulsion paint The emulsion paint without (e) was prepared using conventional manufacturing techniques: - To the mixture of the above ingredients was then added: The mixture was then dispersed for 15 minutes with a high speed mixer. To the mixture was then added: The whole was then mixed for a further 15 minutes at a slower speed to ensure maximum viscosity development of the thickener and thorough incorporation of the phthalocyanine blue paste dispersion. After 16 hours the paint had developed a round, creamy consistency with good applciation and flow properties and no colour shedding. Similar paints were prepared using two prior art associative thickeners believed to be based on EP 0 013 836 previously referred to. After 16 hours the paint based on the first thickener had developed a creamy consistency with good application and flow properties but a distinct layer of darker blue material had shed on to the surface of the paint. This not only has an unpleasant appearance but tends to invite the user to stir or mix the paint with a resultant damage to the structure of the paint. The paint containing the second thickener showed no colour shedding but its consistency was appreciably stiffer and its application and flow properties were poor. Both paints using the prior art thickeners were assessed as unsuitable for commercial production or use. A variety of ethoxylated alcohols was used to prepare other monomers which were converted into thickeners and subsequently emulsion paints as described above. The results summarised in Table 1 below indicate some of the useful thickener compositions that can be prepared. These can be used to tailor the thickener to suit specific application requirements. With component (e), a thickener was prepared in accordance with the invention: This thickener was prepared by the procedure described above in respect of the thickener without component (e). A paint was prepared according to the emulsion paint formulation given above using the thickener containing the hydrophylic monomer (e). After 16 hours this paint had developed a creamy consistency with good application and flow properties and no colour shedding. On storage, especially at elevated temperatures, this paint developed a pleasing pasty gel structure whilst retaining its original good application and flow properties. The paint based on the thickener not containing component (e) showed a more slimey gel structure after a similar period of storage and was not considered to be such a desirable product.

Claims: A thickener composition comprising a polymer prepared from the following components given as % by weight: (a) 25 - 45% of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid or a mixture thereof; (b) 25 - 65% of alkyl acrylate such as methyl acrylate ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate; alkyl methacrylate such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate or a mixtue thereof; (c) 1 - 40% of an ester of composition; in which R is a C₁₂-C₂₅ alkyl group, n = at least 10; m = at least 5 A = H, (CH₂CH₂0) n - R, C₁ - C₂₀ alkyl, -(CH₂CH₂0)m-H or (CH₂CH₂0) m -CH₃; (d) 0 - 1% of a polyethylenically unsaturated monomer effective for chain branching or crosslinking such as diallyl maleate, diallyl phthalate, divinyl benzene, allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or trimethylol propane triacrylate; and (e) not more than 10% of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrophylic monomer: the total of compenents (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) being in substance 100%. A thickener composition according to Claim 1 in which: (a) is 30 - 40%, (b) is 30 - 60%, (c) is 3 - 12% (d) is 0.05 - 0.5%, (e) is 0.5 to 10% A thickener composition according to claim 1 or 2 in which formula of (c) is determined by: A = H, n = 15-25 and R is a C₁₆ - C₂₀ alkyl. A method of thickening an emulsion paint utilising the composition of any of the preceding claims. Emulsion paint including a thickener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Inventors: TONGE, CHRISTOPHER JAMES
Applicants: CROWN BERGER LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C09D7
IPC codes: C08F220, C09D7