Aqueous Polymer Compositions Containing Glycerol Esters As Plasticizers
Aqueous polymer dispersions are provided that include plasticizers that include mono-, di- and triesters of glycerol. The aqueous polymer dispersions have enhanced film-forming properties and are useful as aqueous coatings, sealants, adhesives, polishes, films and inks. The plasticizers may be used with any of the organic polymers conventionally used in aqueous film-forming compositions, including polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate with ethylene or other olefins, acrylic polymers, acrylic/styrene copolymers, polyesters, polyurethanes, elastomeric styrene/butadiene copolymers and neoprene and are compatible with other plasticizers and coalescents.
1 . An aqueous film-forming polymer composition comprising an aqueous emulsion that includes 1) an aqueous phase, 2) a suspended phase comprising particles of a film-forming organic polymer, and 3) an amount of glycerol ester effective for plasticizing said polymer, wherein the glycerol ester is selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- and triesters of glycerol, and mixtures thereof,
the glycerol esters having a general formula
wherein 0 to 2 X groups are hydroxyl and 1 to 3 X groups are
wherein R 1 is —(CH 2 ) n —CH 3 , where n is 0 to 5,
wherein all R 1 groups are identical,
and wherein if n is 0, then 1 to 2 X groups are hydroxyl.
2 . The aqueous composition according to claim 1 wherein said ester is a triester.
3 . The aqueous composition according to claim 1 wherein R 1 includes from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.
4 . The aqueous composition according to claim 1 wherein the film forming polymer composition includes from 0.1 to 50 weight percent glycerol ester, based on the total weight of said film forming polymer composition.
5 . The aqueous composition according to claim 1 wherein said organic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene or olefin(s), acrylic polymers, acrylic/styrene copolymers, polyesters, polyurethanes, styrene/butadiene elastomers, neoprene and mixtures thereof.
6 . The aqueous composition of claim 5 wherein said organic polymer is a film-forming ingredient of a composition selected from the group consisting of adhesives, coatings, overprint varnishes, caulks, sealants, inks and floor polishes, and compositions for the application of self-supporting films.
7 . The aqueous film-forming polymer composition of claim 1 wherein said composition contains at least one additional plasticizer selected from the group consisting of phthalates, terephthalates, citrates, sulphonamides, alkyl sulfonic acid esters, adipates, saturated low molecular weight polyesters, isobutyrates, and glutarates.
8 . The aqueous film-forming polymer composition of claim 1 wherein said composition contains at least one additional plasticizer selected from the group consisting of 1) esters of benzoic acid with monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, monomeric glycols and oligomeric glycols and 2) esters of 1,2; 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids with monohydric alcohols containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
9 . The aqueous composition of claim 8 wherein said organic polymer is a film-forming ingredient of a composition selected from the group consisting of adhesives, coatings, overprint varnishes, caulks, sealants, inks and floor polishes, and compositions for the application of self-supporting films.
10 . The aqueous composition of claim 1 wherein the glycerol ester is a blend of about 15 to about 25 parts monoester, about 45 to about 55 parts diester, and about 25 to about 35 parts triester.
11 . A method for making an aqueous film-forming polymer composition, the method comprising;
dispersing particles of film-forming organic polymer in an aqueous phase to form an aqueous dispersion of film-forming polymer; and
blending glycerol ester with the aqueous dispersion of film-forming polymer in an amount effective for plasticizing the polymer, wherein the glycerol ester is selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- and triesters of glycerol, and mixtures thereof,
the glycerol esters having a general formula
wherein 0 to 2 X groups are hydroxyl and 1 to 3 X groups are
wherein R 1 is —(CH 2 ) n —CH 3 , where n is 0 to 5,
wherein all R 1 groups are identical,
and wherein if n is 0, then 1 to 2 X groups are hydroxyl.
12 . The method according to claim 11 wherein said ester is a triester.
13 . The method according to claim 11 wherein R 1 includes from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.
14 . The method according to claim 11 wherein the film forming polymer composition includes from 0.1 to 50 weight percent glycerol ester, based on the total weight of said film forming polymer composition.
15 . The method according to claim 11 wherein said organic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene or olefin(s), acrylic polymers, acrylic/styrene copolymers, polyesters, polyurethanes, styrene/butadiene elastomers, neoprene and mixtures thereof.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein said organic polymer is a film-forming ingredient of a composition selected from the group consisting of adhesives, coatings, overprint varnishes, caulks, sealants, inks and floor polishes, and compositions for the application of self-supporting films.
17 . The method of claim 11 wherein said composition contains at least one additional plasticizer selected from the group consisting of phthalates, terephthalates, citrates, sulphonamides, alkyl sulfonic acid esters, adipates, saturated low molecular weight polyesters, isobutyrates, and glutarates.
18 . The method of claim 11 wherein said composition contains at least one additional plasticizer selected from the group consisting of 1) esters of benzoic acid with monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, monomeric glycols and oligomeric glycols and 2) esters of 1,2; 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids with monohydric alcohols containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein said organic polymer is a film-forming ingredient of a composition selected from the group consisting of adhesives, coatings, overprint varnishes, caulks, sealants, inks and floor polishes, and compositions for the application of self-supporting films.
20 . The aqueous composition of claim 11 wherein the glycerol ester is a blend of about 15 to about 25 parts monoester, about 45 to about 55 parts diester, and about 25 to about 35 parts triester.