Paint strippers

Abstract: Paint stripper formulations containing a solvent system comprised of an ester such as benzyl formate and methods for using the same to strip paint.

Description: This invention relates to compositions for paint removal without the use of chlorinated solvents such as methylene chloride, especially paint stripper formulations containing a benzyl ester such as benzyl formate. Health and environmental concerns are causing the limiting and/or obsoleting of the use of the heretofore classic thixotropic paint strippers based upon chlorinated solvents. However, solvent-based strippers employing solvents other than chlorinated materials have thus far not been wholly successful in removing today's paint/primer films (e.g., polyurethane, epoxy, and alkyd paints). Further, the preferred ester solvent of this invention (benzyl formate) would have heretofore been considered too expensive to warrant consideration as a replacement for chlorinated solvents. A paint stripper formulation is provided (together with its use for stripping paint) containing a solvent system comprising an ester having the formula HC(O)OR, an alcohol having the formula ROH, and formic acid, where R is selected from benzyl and methylbenzyl. R is preferably benzyl. In order to make the use of the preferred benzyl formate ester economically attractive, the ester is preferably formed in situ from the corresponding (benzyl) alcohol and (formic) acid. Depending on the intended end-use, the formulations normally also contain other conventional additives such as water, thickeners, dispersants, surfactants, and/or corrosion inhibitors. It has now been found that the expensive benzyl formate ester is formed when the corresponding relatively inexpensive benzyl alcohol is reacted with formic acid. Further, it has been found that the reaction solution containing the formate, alcohol, and acid is a superior solvent to either the alcohol or the formate alone. Optimum results occur when the amount (by weight) of alcohol exceeds that of the ester and when the formulation contains water. Before adding water to the formulation, premixing of the other ingredients is desirable to allow the alcohol, acid, and ester to reach equilibrium conditions. In contrast to the foregoing, when acetic acid was substituted for formic acid, an ester could not be formed unless the reaction was driven with a catalyst. Further, the subject benzyl formate/benzyl alcohol/formic acid formulations were found to strip polyurethane and epoxy paint systems more than two and one-half times as fast as equivalent benzyl acetate/benzyl alcohol/acetic acid formulations. Other suitable esters are those derived by starting with methylbenzyl alcohol instead of benzyl alcohol, including all four methylbenzyl isomers (alpha, ortho, meta, and para). Conventional additives added to the formulations include one or more of the following: thickeners (such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose or xanthan gum); dispersants (or solubilization agents) such as propylene glycol, sodium polymethacrylate (available from W.R. Grace under the tradename "Daxad 30"), or sodium xylene sulfonate; surfactants such as the amphoteric surfactants (e.g., imidazolines) or ethoxylated nonylphenol (available from G.A.F. under the tradename Igepal CO-630''); corrosion inhibitors such as 2-mercaptobenzotriazole or toluene triazole; and mineral oil (to prevent evaporation). For viscous (verticle cling-type) strippers applied by spraying or brushing, up to 75% water may be present (percent by weight, based on the weight of the total composition), while thin (emersion tank type) strippers may have up to 70% water. The water is preferably deionized. Typical compositions would be comprised of 25 to 88 parts by weight of the solvent system, 0 to 4.0 parts thickeners, 0 to 15 parts dispersants, 0 to 9 parts surfactants, 0.2 to 4.0 parts corrosion inhibitors, 0-22 parts mineral oil, and 0-75 parts water (preferably 40-50 parts for faster stripping). Examples of useful compositions are as follows (all percents being by weight):

Claims: A method of stripping paint which comprises applying to said paint a formulation containing a solvent system comprising an ester having the formula HC(O)OR, an alcohol having the formula ROH, and formic acid, where R is selected from benzyl and methylbenzyl. The method of claim 1 wherein the ester is benzyl formate. The method of claims 1 to 2 wherein the alcohol is benzyl alcohol. The method of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ester is formed in situ from said alcohol and acid. The method of claims 1 to 4 wherein the formulation contains 40 to 50 weight % water. A paint stripper formulation containing a solvent system comprising an ester having the formula HC(O)OR, an alcohol having the formula ROH, and formic acid, where R is selected from benzyl and methylbenzyl. A formulation as in claim 6 wherein R is benzyl. A formulation as in claims 6 and 7 wherein the ester is benzyl formate formed in situ from benzyl alcohol and formic acid. A formulation as in claims 6 to 8 containing 40 to 50 weight % water.

Inventors: DISTASO JOHN, DISTASO, JOHN
Applicants: ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA, ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C09D9
IPC codes: C09D9