60
Polyvinyl Acetal Resins
60.1 Chemistry and Manufacture
60.2 Availability, Economies
60.3. Properties.
Reactivity and Compatibility» Physical and Chemical
Properties» Solution Viscosity» Plasiciers Txicology 4
60.4 Surface Coating Applications. 0.9
Polyvinyl Butyral «Polyvinyl Butyal Dispersions» olyiny!
Thomas P. Blomstrom Formal
Monsanto Chemical Company References, 60-11
60.1 Chemistry and Manufacture
‘The polyvinyl acetals are a family of high molecular weight polymers prepared by the mineral acid
catalyzed acetalization of polyvinyl alcohol. The chemistry of preparation is outlined in Equation 60.1,
where R can be H or any of a wide variety of organic radicals.
or —cHt—cHh cH + RoHO “an Mor —cn—oH o> +0
on on °. o
Non
I
a
‘While many polyvinyl acetals have been prepared,'? the only commercially important polymers are
the formal (R= H) and the butyral (R= n— C'H?), derived from the acetalization of polyvinyl alcohols,
With formaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde, respectively. The generalized structure of the polyvinyl acetal,
‘molecule is shown in Figure 60.1. Molecular weights, weight average molecular weight (Mw), range from.
about 25,000 to 150,000 for the formal and from 40,000 to 250,000 K for the butyral, depending on
grade, The three chemical moieties are randomly distributed along the polymer chain, While simple in
concept, the actual commercial preparation ofthese polymers is quite complex, requiring many processing
steps. For the formal and the majority ofthe butyral resins currently of importance inthe coating industry,
these steps include extensive solvent and by-product purification and recovery operations. A schematic
process flow diagram for the manufacture ofa typical polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is shown
in Figure 60.2.
60.2 Availability, Economics
Monsanto is the only U.S. producer of polyvinyl formal, under the brand name of Format. The resins
are available in the United States as white to pale buff-colored, free-flowing powders, in fiber drums at
60-160.2 Coatings Technology Handbook, Third Edition
4 4
on—€ ony-¢
bu é
é=0
by,
PV Aah ry leh PV Aeohal
a 8 c
FIGURE 60.1. Generalized structure ofthe polyvinyl acety! molecule.
about 150 lb net, costing $5.60 to $6.80 per kilogram (10 April 88) depending on grade and quantity
Outside the United State, polyvinyl formal is supplied by Shin Nippon Chisso in Japan as Vinlex F, by
Wacker Chemie in Germany as Pioloform F, and by Siva in Italy.
Monsanto, which produces a full line of PVBs has production facilites both in the United States and
in Europe. In addition to the grade used exclusively for Monsanto's safety glass interlayer sheet, Saflex,
1 wide range of specialty grades known as Butvars are available for a variety of coatings applications.
Also in the United States, Union Carbide supplies a limited range of coatings grade polyvinyl butyral
known as vinyl Butyral Resins XYHL and XYSG, DuPont produces the resin for captive use inits safety
lass interlayer sheet, Butacite, In Europe, PVB is available from Monsanto, Hoechst, Wacker
Dynamit Nobel, and Rhone Poulenc. In Japan, a range of grades is produced by Sekisui Cl
Company, while Chang Chun produces the resin in Taiwan. In the United States, PVB resins are available
as white, free-flowing powders at 135 to 155 lb net in fiber drums at about $6.60 to $9.00 per kilogram,
depending on grade and quantity.
“Monsanto also produces an aqueous dispersion ofa plasticized high molecular weight polyvinyl butyral
known as Butvar dispersion BR. This material air dries to a tough, transpatent film exhibiting low to
‘moderate adhesion to most surfaces; thus itis useful for, among other applications, removable protective
coatings and textile sizing. This material is available in steel drums at about $4.45 to 4.70 per kilogram.
(wet), 50 to 52% solids basis.
‘Worldwide production of polyvinyl formal resin is estimated at 3500 to 4500 metric tons annually,
Approximately, 45,000 to 50,000 metric tons of polyvinyl butyral resin is produced in the free world each
year, the majority going into the production of safety glass interlayer. Production figures for polyvinyl
butyral dispersion are not avaiable
60.3. Properties
60.3.1 Reactivity and Compatibility
In general, the polyvinyl acetals are characterized by toughness and excellent adhesion to a wide variety
of surfaces. They are resistant to most nonpolar solvents and to attack by both acids and bases, although
they are slowly attacked by strong aqueous acids. Their resistance to hydrocarbons and mineral oils is
outstanding. Because ofthe residual hydroxyl groups in the polymers (Figute 60.2), they are readily eross-
linked with a vatity of widely available cross-linking reagents that react with hydroxyl. Examples of the
‘more common cross-linking reagents are dialdehydes and phenolic, amino, isocyanate, and epoxy func-
tional resins. The butyral shows limited compatibility with other resins (eg, alkyd, polyvinyl chloride,
silicones, urea- and melamine-formaldehyde, cellulose acetate butyrate, and ethyl cellulose) and excellent
compatibility with nitrocellulose, epoxy, phenol-formaldehyde, isocyanate, and some rosin ester deriva-
tives. The formal, being more polar than the butyral, shows more limited compatibility with other resins
Its fully compatible with most common isocyanate and epoxy resins, and shows limited compatibility
With alkyd, phenolic, melamine- and utea-formaldehyde resins, and silicones.60-3
Polyvinyl Acetal Resins
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