Improving Performance in Ambient Cured Latex Paints

Ron Lewarchik is a contributing author to UL Prospector and publishes articles monthly. Please read on for his findings on “Improving Performance in Ambient Cured Latex Paints”:

Many ambient cured latex paint systems offer deficient properties to those of their solvent born counterparts. Issues with water-born, latex-based paints (EU) may include poorer chemical resistance, moisture resistance, adhesion, surface hardness, abrasion and block resistance. Latex-based coatings systems where these characteristics are desired include architectural, automotive interior, business machine coatings, general industrial, implement finishes and wood coatings.

This article will summarize the causes of poorer performance in ambient cured water-born coatings (EU) and provide formulation guidance and the means to improve performance. We will concentrate on aspects involving the use of commercially available latex polymers (EU) and cross-linkers (EU), rather than on improving these properties by varying monomer selection, polymer architecture (e.g. core-shell, dispersion, solution, emulsion or microemulsion etc.) or Tg (the glass transition temperature is the temperature at which a polymer changes from a hard and brittle state to soft and pliable).  Click here for the full article at UL Prospector