Call Now: (919) 598-0400 Markets Chemical Products Chemical Services About CONTACT US FAQ’s Home / About / FAQ’s SYNTHETIC & NATURAL POLYMERS Frequently Asked Questions 1) What does SNP do and how can they help me meet my project objectives? SNP manufactures and sells industrial grade film forming natural and synthetic polymers. We are custom coating formulators specializing in barrier and functional coatings. 2) What are the available quantities of SNP’s materials? SNP is capable of supplying small lab batches (~200g or mL) up to truckload quantities. 3) What is sodium alginate and where does it find commercial application? Alginate is a polysaccharide found in all brown seaweeds (kelp). Alginate exists in the cell walls of kelp. Kelp is harvested and processed to extract the alginate in the form of alginic acid. The alginic acid is neutralized with a sodium hydroxide to produce sodium alginate. Alginate is used as a thickener, film former and binder in many industries including paper coating, textiles printing, welding rod, dental mold casting and impression, food and pharmaceutical. 4) What is polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH, PVA) and what can it be used for? Polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic resin manufactured by the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate. The cold water and hot water solubility, binding strength and viscosity of solutions made from the resin depends on the degree of hydrolysis and molecular weight. Polyvinyl alcohol is used as an adhesive/binder in the manufacture of safety glass, textile sizes, paper sizes and coatings, ceramics, foundry and paper cores, nonwoven fabrics and high surface area pigments. Polyvinyl alcohol can be cast into films for use in decorative cake flakes, packages or pouches for detergents, pesticides and vitamins, artificial skin, and dental impressions. It has excellent oil, grease and solvent resistance properties and can be used in protective/barrier coatings. Polyvinyl alcohol can be crosslinked to form gels. 5) What is ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and what is it used for? Ethylene acrylic acid is a copolymer synthesized through the polymerization of ethylene and acrylic acid monomers. The combination of these two monomers forms a unique polymer with hydrophilic and hydrophobic functionalities. EAA can be made into aqueous dispersions or used in coatings where this unique dual functionality is of benefit. The properties of EAA can be altered by varying the amount of ethylene and acrylic acid present in the copolymer. Increasing the amount of acrylic acid in the copolymer results in a more amorphous, flexible polymer which improves adhesion to polar surfaces, hot tack adhesion and heat sealability at low temperatures. EAA is used in coatings for high speed digital print applications to improve liquid toner adhesion, inkjet coatings to improve image quality, tie layer to bond two dissimilar materials such as metal foil to plastic or paper (yogurt lids), as an additive in coatings to improve heat seal ability. EAA dispersions form a clear FDA-compliant film which is resistant to solvents, grease and water when crosslinked. Crosslinked EAA coatings can be applied with conventional coating and press equipment as a cost-effective alternative to extrusion coatings. 6) Where are polyurethanes used? SNP offers a range of water based polyurethane dispersions. SNP’s polyurethanes find applications in interior/exterior textiles, flooring, concrete, paint, inks, metal, and paper coatings. 7) What types of barrier coatings can SNP formulate? SNP Inc can formulate barrier coatings for oil and grease resistance (OGR), oxygen resistance, water repellency, solvent resistance, and vapor barrier. Coating formulations can be tailor made to meet customer application process requirements. 8) What are xanthan and guar gums used for? Xanthan and guar gums are hydrocolloids used as thickening or gelling agents in numerous applications from foods to coating formulations. SNP Inc.’s xanthan and guar gums are used as rheology modifiers in the paper, textile, and ink industries. CONTACT US TODAY » CONTACT US NAME* EMAIL* PHONE* COMMENTS This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. ABOUT Product Development Technical Advantages Green Energy FAQ's (919) 598-0400 SNP, Inc. Synthetic & Natural Polymers 1301 S. Briggs Ave. Durham, NC 27703 FAX: (919) 598-4674 service@snpinc.com MARKETS PRODUCTS SERVICES ABOUT NEWS CONTACT Copyright © 2021 SNP, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Digital Marketing and Website Design by