Acrylic Emulsions For Radiation Curing Offer Formulation Ease

VOC advantages of radiation-curable coatings, but present novel design opportunities because dispersion in water decouples the polymer o r oligomer molecular weights from the formulation viscosity. Coatings designers can then begin to make use of the full range of polymer architectures possible for polyester, urethane and acrylic polymers. This article focuses on radiation curing systems based on acrylic emulsions and how they, unlike bighmolecular-weight linear acrylic polymers, are easily made. Acrylic emulsions can serve as t h e base for a variety of economical radiation-curable systems emphasizing attributes such as chemical resistance, flexibilit y and toughness, warmth in wood sealer applications, and precure hardness. W tain the performance and By Dr. Kurt A. Wood, Rohm and Haas Co., Spring House, Pa.