The Waterborne Symposium

Abstract:
A waterborne coating is a liquid composition comprising a polymeric binder that is dispersed, or much less frequently, dissolved in water. The average size of the dispersed polymer particles is typically in the 50-500 nm range. The polymers may be formed by polymerization in water, typically using emulsion polymerization; or they may be pre-formed by radical solution polymerization, or bulk or solution step-growth polymerization, and subsequently dispersed in water. Dispersion and/or stabilization of the polymer particles in water is brought about using surfactants. Acrylic latex polymers are the dominant example of polymers created in water using emulsion polymerization. Alkyds, polyurethanes, and epoxies are examples of polymers that are dispersed in water after polymerization. The basic principles of emulsion polymerization will be discussed, as well as the techniques used to disperse pre-formed polymers in water.