APPLICATIONS AND ADVANTAGES OF

VEOVA MONOMERS
VV 0.2 Issued January 2001

Introduction
VeoVa monomers are mainly used with vinyl acetate and acrylate monomers
in the production of polymeric binders for coatings and for cement mortar
additives. These are usually water-based, but solvent-borne VeoVa based
polymers and powders can also be produced.

Applications
• Vinyl acetate/VeoVa based co-polymer latices for emulsion paints and
decorative plasters
• Vinyl acetate/VeoVa based latices for cement composites
• Vinyl acetate/VeoVa based spray-dried powders for cement composites
• VeoVa/acrylic latices for industrial paints
• Solution polymers for various applications, including automotive and
industrial coatings and cosmetics
• Various special applications such as fuel additives
• Suspension polymerisation
• Powder coatings
• Aqueous dispersions for industrial applications

Technical Advantages of VeoVa monomers in their

current and potential applications
Latex binders for emulsion paints:
Good processing and handling properties
VeoVa copolymerises readily and randomly with vinyl acetate at high steady-
state conversion levels. Batch reproducibility is good, reactor fouling is
minimal and hence, cleaning costs and down-time are low.
VeoVa latices are easily formulated into emulsion paints because of their
good shear stability and compatibility with other raw materials. This results
in low production of off-spec paint. The shelf life of VeoVa based emulsion
paints is very good, because of good hydrolytic stability, resulting in low pH
and low viscosity drift.
Emulsion paints based on VeoVa have very good rheological properties,
resulting in easy application and good film build. This leads to lower labour
cost during painting.
Very good outdoor durability
VeoVa is not sensitive to UV light and alkaline hydrolysis. It also protects
neighbouring vinyl acetate units from saponification by steric hindrance.
When vinyl acetate/VeoVa latices are used as paint binders for alkaline
substrates such as concrete, these properties lead to good long term exterior
performance under varied climatic conditions.
Water repellency
VeoVa introduces hydrophobicity into polymers. This finds expression in
improved retention of mechanical strength under humid conditions. This
property can also be exploited to produce water repellent systems, such as
anti-corrosion paints, especially when VeoVa is copolymerised with acrylate
monomers.
Good pigment binding power
The good wet mechanical film strength introduced by VeoVa monomers also
significantly improves the pigment binding power of vinyl acetate based
latices. This enables the use of high concentrations of cheap extenders in
matt interior emulsion paint types.
VeoVa monomers modify the hardness and flexibility of the polymer
VeoVa 10 is frequently used as a flexibilising monomer. At incorporation
levels of 20-30% a good hardness/flexibility balance is usually obtained. If
slightly higher hardness is required VeoVa 9 can be used, whereas VeoVa 11
can impart even greater flexibility to the polymer.

Re-dispersible powders
Hydrolytic stability
Re-dispersible powders are mixed with cement which, by its nature, is very
alkaline. In this application the very good hydrolytic stability of VeoVa is
even more important than in paints, to protect vinyl acetate based polymers
from degradation.
Compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol
VeoVa/vinyl acetate or VeoVa/vinyl acetate/ethylene latices can be stabilised
with poly vinyl alcohol (PVOH). This is vital for success in powder
applications, because PVOH is required to facilitate spray-drying and re-
dispersion of the powder.

Bulk polymers
VeoVa monomers can be polymerised with (meth)acrylate monomers and
styrene in the absence of solvents, to yield polymers in bulk. This can be
achieved by making good use of reactivity differences between VeoVa and
the other monomers, especially styrene. The resulting bulk polymer can
optionally be diluted with solvents. Specially designed polymers can be
dispersed in water, usually with the aid of small amounts of co-solvent.
Finally, the bulk polymer can be processed to yield a powder coating.

VV 0.2 Page 2 of 3
Solution polymers
Apart from dissolving a bulk polymer, VeoVa based polymers can also be
made directly by solution polymerisation. Many solvents are suitable due to
the favourable solubility characteristics that VeoVa monomers bring. VeoVa
monomers can be polymerised in solution with either vinyl acetate or
(meth)acrylate monomers. Whereas all VeoVa monomers deliver good
durability, notably UV resistance, VeoVa 9 is of particular interest. This
monomer has an attractive combination of properties, with both a high Tg
and very good UV and chemical resistance.

Automotive powder coatings

VeoVa-based bulk polymers do not need a solvent removal step for
producing powder coatings. Instead, they can be extruded directly into
polymer flakes which can be further milled to produce powders. The powders
can be formulated to possess good melt flow characteristics in combination
with adequate storage stability at ambient or even somewhat increased
temperature. Finally the powders have durability properties that qualify them
for application in highly demanding outlets such as automotive coatings.

Aqueous dispersions
Hot bulk polymers or solvent polymers, if provided with sufficient acid
groups, can be directly dispersed into water after neutralisation with a
suitable amino alcohol. Such aqueous dispersions deliver coatings with a
good level of UV and chemical resistance whereas VOC levels are very low.

Handling precautions
For more detailed information on all aspects relating to Health, Safety and
Handling, reference should be made to the Safety Data Sheets of VeoVa
monomers, which are available from your local Resolution representative or
distributor. The precautions advised therein should be strictly observed. For
such details related to other products listed in this bulletin, please contact
the suppliers of those products.

VeoVa is a trademark of Resolution Performance Products.

The information contained in this publication is, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate, but any
recommendations or suggestions which may be made are without guarantee, since the conditions of use are
beyond our control. Furthermore, nothing contained herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use any
product in conflict with existing patents covering any material or its use.

VV 0.2 Page 3 of 3