Patent GB-946675-A (GB)
Title: Copolymers and compositions and methods for making them
IPC: C08F289/00
Filed: 1960-03-16
Abstract: Graft copolymers are obtained by polymerizing a mixture of which at least 90% by weight is constituted by shellac and at least one ester or nitrile of acrylic or methacrylic acid, and up to 10% by weight of which may consist of other monomers, e.g. ammonia, amine and alkali metal salts of acrylic, methacrylic, dimeric methacrylic, itaconic, maleic, fumaric citraconic and aconitic acids, vinyl pyridines, dialkyl-aminoalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, alkyl-aminoalkyl vinyl ethers and sulphides, N-N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamides and methacrylamides, and unsaturated derivatives of alkylene-ureas. Polymerization may be carried out by dissolving the shellac in an alkaline aqueous medium and polymerizing the monomeric material therein with the aid of a redox catalyst. The Examples describe the application of such a process to the polymerization of shellac with ethyl acrylate and/or methyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate + butylacrylate.  The resulting aqueous compositions are used as coating compositions, for which purpose these may be added thereto: (1) pigments, e.g. titanium dioxide carbon black, iron blues, phthalocyanine blues and greens, metal oxides, hydroxides, sulphides, sulphates, silicates and chromates, aluminium flake, bronze powders, pearl essence, talc, barytes, china clay and diatomaceous earth; (ii) plasticizers, e.g. diethylylene glycol monoethyl and monomethyl ethers, isophorone, benzyl alcohol, methoxybutanols, phthalates, such as dibutyl phthalate, polyesters, and phosphate esters; (iii) waxes, e.g. polyethylene and carnauba, montan, Japan, bees, paraffin and candelilla waxes; (iv) other polymeric substances, e.g. shellac, Manila gum, Loba gum, alkali-soluble polyesters, such as ammonia-soluble rosin-maleic adducts esterified with polyhydric alcohols, and shellac graft polymers of the above described type; (v) dispersing agents, e.g. ethanolamine or morpholine oleate and stearate; and (vi) resin-forming condensates of formaldehyde with phenol, urea, thiourea, ethyleneurea, melamine, benzoguanamine, and acetoguanamine. Specification 946,676 is referred to.ALSO:Surfaces of wood, glass, brick, concrete, asbestos cement, steel, vinyl and asphaltic tiles, rubber, linoleum, leather and textiles are coated by applying thereto aqueous compositions obtained by polymerizing a mixture of which at least 90% by weight is constituted by shellac and at least one ester or nitrile of acrylic or methacrylic acid, and up to 10% by weight of which may consist of other monomers.  The compositions may also contain pigments, plasticizers, waxes, other polymeric substances, dispersing agents and resin-forming condensates of formaldehyde with phenol, ureas and aminotriazines.  The examples describe the following processes in which the graft copolymers are in the form of aqueous emulsions: (1) an ethylacrylate-methylmethacrylate-shellac graft copolymer is applied to glass, steel and linoleum; (2) a mixture of a methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer, carnauba wax, an ammonia-soluble rosin-maleic adduct esterified with a polyhydric alcohol, morpholine, oleate and dibutyl phthalate is applied to linoleum and asphalt and vinyl floor tiles; (3) an ethyl acrylate-shellac graft copolymer is applied to leather, and an acrylonitrile-shellac graft copolymer is applied to asbestos cement shingles; (4) (a) as in (2) but omitting the dibutyl phthalate, and (b) as in (a) but using methyl acrylate in place of ethyl acrylate; (5) a mixture of a methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer, an ethyl acrylate-shellac graft copolymer, low-melting polyethylene and an ammonia-soluble rosin maleic adduct esterified with a polyhydric alcohol is applied to a terrazzo floor; (6) a mixture of an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer, titanium dioxide, lithopone, mica, silica, a dispersant and diethylene glycol is applied to brick and steel surfaces; (7) a butyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer is applied to oak flooring; (8) a mixture of an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer, carnauba wax and the adduct of (2) is applied to motor tyres; (10) an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer is applied to asbestos cement shingles; (11) an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-shellac graft copolymer is applied to leather which carries a base coat of poly(ethylacrylate); and (12) an ethyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-shellac graft copolymer is used as in (11).  Specification 946,676 is referred to.