RHOPLEX SF-012 Acrylic Copolymer Emulsion For Solvent Free Interior Gloss, Semigloss & Satin Latex Paints Description RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion is designed for maximum performance with associative rheology modifiers. Although no solvents are used, wet-edge and open time results remain consistent with standard interior latex paints. RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion provides paint manufacturers an opportunity to formulate without coalescents or co-solvents, resulting in low odor paints. This product establishes a new era of performance for aqueous interior paint applications. The results of laboratory tests comparing the performance properties of RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion to standard interior emulsions are included in this bulletin. Application and Performance Properties Flow The excellent flow properties of a formulation based on RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion are much better than those of a formulation based on RHOPLEX AC-417M emulsion. RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion is a versatile acrylic copolymer that was designed for use in solvent-free, high-quality interior gloss, semigloss and satin paints. Block Resistance Figure 1 illustrates the superior block resistance obtained by using RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion instead of RHOPLEX AC-417M emulsion in tests conducted over a seven day period at room temperature. There is good development of block resistance after one day at room temperature. Exterior Durability RHOPLEX SF-012 was developed as an emulsion for interior solvent-free paints, and its exterior exposure history shows that it is not suitable for exterior paints. Features of RHOPLEX SF-012 Application Solvent free formulation Excellent film formation Very low odor Very good flow and leveling Good hiding Excellent spatter resistance Performance Excellent block resistance Superior wet and dry adhesion to a variety of substrates Excellent gloss potential Very good stain removal
Typical Physical Properties These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications. Appearance Solids Content 43.5% White milky liquid Brookfield Viscosity (25 C, #2 spindle @ 60 rpm) 300 cp max Specific Gravity of Latex @ 25 C 1.0 Weight per gallon @ 25 C 8.61 Dry Bulking Value 0.111 gal/lb Wet Bulking Value 0.116 gal/lb ph 7.0-8.0 Minimum Film Formation Temperature (MFFT) 0 C Figure 1 Room Temperature Block Resistance RHOPLEX SF-012 vs. RHOPLEX
Key Property Comparison Summary Typical Properties of Interior Semigloss Formulations Based on RHOPLEX SF-012 Emulsion and RHOPLEX AC-417M Emulsion Property RHOPLEX SF-012 RHOPLEX AC-417M Solvents None Propylene Glycol/Texanol Pigment Volume Content, % 22.9 22.9 Volume Solids, % 34.0 34.0 Thickener ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR/HEC Equilibrated Viscosity, KU 96 92 Equilibrated Viscosity, ICI 1.3 1.5 Equilibrated ph 8.3 9.1 Flow and Leveling 9 6 Gloss (60 ) 61 57 Scrub Resistance (cycles) 350 945 Adhesion Weighted Pull 7 day (Gloss Alkyd) 1350 g 1050 g Spatter Resistance very good good Wet Edge/Open Time good good Stain Removal (% removed) 74 78 $ R.M.C. 5.64 6.07 * Rating: 0-10 (10 best) Formulating Guidelines When formulating a solvent-free paint, it is critical to make sure that all ingredients of the paint do not contain any solvents. Also, it is important to check film formation properties of the formulation under low temperature conditions. Rheology Modifiers RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion is best formulated with rheology modifiers for optimum application properties, flow and appearance. ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR is recommended as a first choice at levels of 35-40 lbs. per 100 gals. of paint. However, if using lower levels of ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR is desired, ACRYSOL TT-935 is recommended as a co-thickener for use with ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR. This co-thickener approach is also effective for reducing any tendency for syneresis to occur. Recent studies have also demonstrated the excellent gloss potential achieved in paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012 using ACRYSOL RM-5 or RM-6 rheology modifiers. ACRYSOL RM-5 or RM-6 in conjunction with TAMOL 1124 dispersant in paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012 have resulted in gloss levels of greater than 80 units measured with a 60 degree glossmeter. Dispersants The type and level of pigment dispersant play an important role in attaining a desirable balance of rheology, gloss, and stability in paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012. In formulations thickened with ACRYSOL RM-5 or RM-6, TAMOL 1124 dispersant is recommended for excellent gloss potential, flow and lower cost at a level of 1 percent (active ingredient) on total pigment. In formulations that use ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR as the primary thickener, TAMOL 731A at a level of 1 percent (active ingredient) on total pigment provides excellent rheology while maintaining a good balance of overall properties. Freeze-Thaw Stability Specific formulating guidelines have been developed to achieve freeze-thaw stability in solvent-free paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012. Using 2 lbs. of KTPP in the grind per 100 gals. of paint is key to achieving freeze-thaw
stability in these paints. Without incorporating KTPP in the paint grind, we have been unable to develop paint formulations with good freeze-thaw stability based on RHOPLEX SF-012. However, a disadvantage we have seen using KTPP in these paints is slightly worse gloss potential. (Note - it is not recommended to use HEUR thickeners such as ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR with KTPP in the grind portion of the paint as it may cause "salting out" of the thickener or grit formation.) Increasing the ph of the paints to a range of 8.8 to 9.0 is also important in order to achieve freeze-thaw stability. Lower ph levels resulted in worse or no freeze-thaw stability and ph levels above 9.0 resulted in slightly worse heat-age stability. Surfactant Triton CF-10 demonstrated good pigment wetting and formulation stability when used in the paint grind. Aerosol OT-100 (10% aqueous solution) provides excellent substrate wetting characteristics when added to the letdown portion of the paint. Surfactant choice is also important to achieving good freeze-thaw stability in solvent-free paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012. Surfactants such as Triton X-100 were particularly good for this purpose at a level of 0.5-2.0% surfactant on binder solids. Other surfactants such as Surfynol 465 and Dextrol OC-50 also demonstrated good utility and performance in these paints. Defoamers Witco Bubblebreaker 625 is our recommended best choice of defoamer and it is reported to be solvent-free. Other defoamers that were evaluated and found to have good defoaming ability include Drewplus ZV-22 and Byk- 22. Use of defoamers such as Drewplus L-475 and Colloids 643 resulted in paints with lower gloss values and are not recommended. Pigments Several grades and types of titanium dioxide were evaluated in solvent-free paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012. Our suggested formulations use Ti-Pure R-900 as a standard recommendation. Newer grades such as Ti-Pure R-706 are now available which contribute to increased gloss in these paints. Kronos 4310 titanium dioxide slurry was also tested and found to have excellent compatibility in paints and achieved very good gloss and appearance characteristics. ROPAQUE OP-96 opaque polymer is an all-purpose pigment that can be used in both semigloss and satin paints. When used in solvent-free paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012, it is not necessary or recommended to add any coalescent to the paint based on opaque polymer solids. Extenders For satin formulations, we recommend the use of extenders like Minex 7 or Huber 683 as pigments that have demonstrated good flattening efficiency and sheen uniformity. These two extenders are also beneficial to the paints as they both contribute to increasing ph which reduces the need for other additives to adjust ph. One important limitation in the formulating range of paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012 is to avoid making paints at PVC levels above 40%. Our studies have shown low temperature and other film formation properties to exhibit failures with paints formulated above 40 PVC. Biocides KATHON LX 1.5% preservative is our recommended choice for a biocide. It is very important to use the maximum recommendation level of 25 ppm active ingredient to the paint in order to adequately preserve solventfree paints. Also, adding KATHON LX 1.5% to the paint letdown rather than the grind whenever possible will help improve the long-term stability of the preservative. However, in some formulations, adding KATHON to the letdown may result in grit formation or flocculation problems. If this occurs, either diluting the KATHON LX 1.5% prior to addition in the letdown or simply adding it to the grind is recommended under these conditions.
Colorants Solvent-free paints based on RHOPLEX SF-012 have demonstrated excellent color acceptance properties with a variety of in-plant and universal colorant systems. However, most of the colorant systems we have evaluated contained organic solvents. We recommend that you contact your colorant supplier for information on the VOC content of their materials and availability of solvent-free colorant systems. Handling of Emulsions As with most emulsion polymers, special care should be taken with RHOPLEX SF-012 emulsion to avoid the formation of dried polymer particles that can cause grit problems. We recommend that the material be filtered before the emulsion is pumped into the letdown vessel. Filter bags with 100-250 micron (150-60 mesh) size have proven effective. Another situation to avoid while handling the emulsion is the generation of foam. There should be no free fall of emulsion. It is imperative that suitable materials of construction of tanks, pumps, lines, and other auxiliary equipment be used. We recommend stainless steel or plastic. See our brochure 1-PRM for more details. Odor Characteristics We conducted odor evaluations of solvent-free paints to assess their odor characteristics relative to conventional latex paints formulated with organic solvents. Testing was performed at an independent odor test laboratory and compared a solvent-free semigloss paint based on RHOPLEX SF-012 to a conventional semigloss paint based on RHOPLEX AC-417M (containing 250 g/l of Texanol and Propylene Glycol). The paints were evaluated for their odor characteristic at four test intervals under controlled ambient conditions. The chart shows the test results data from the average odor response of ten panelists. Higher odor unit levels indicate a more detectable odor. These test results (see Figure 2) illustrate the much lower odor characteristics of interior solvent-free paints and flatter odor profile versus conventional latex paints both during and after application. In addition, questionnaire results we have received from limited field testing have universally commented on the lower odor characteristics of solventfree paints. Figure 2 Odor Characteristics Comparison
Suppliers of Suggested Raw Materials Trade Name Function Supplier ACRYSOL RM-5 ACRYSOL RM-2020NPR Aerosol OT-100 Huber 683 KATHON LX 1.5% Minex 7 ROPAQUE OP-96 TAMOL 731 Triton CF-10 Witco Bubblebreaker 625 Rheology Modifier Surfactant Extender Biocide Extender Pigment Dispersant Surfactant Defoamer American Cyanamid Company Wayne, NJ J. M. Huber Corp. Macon, GA Unimin Specialty Minerals, Inc. Columbus, OH Dow Chemical USA Midland, MI 48674 Witco Chemical Corp. New York, NY Safe Handling Information Based on the character of similar materials, this product is not expected to be toxic via single acute oral or dermal exposure. It may be a mild-to-moderate skin and eye irritant. Rohm and Haas Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain pertinent information that you may need to protect your employees and customers against any known health or safety hazards associated with our products. Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, workers must have access to and understand MSDS on all hazardous substances to which they are exposed. Thus, it is important that you provide appropriate training and information to your employees and make sure they have available to them MSDS on any hazardous products in their workplace. sends MSDS on non-osha-hazardous products to both the bill-to and ship-to locations of all our customers upon initial shipment (including samples) of all of our products (whether or not they are considered OSHA-hazardous). If you do not have access to one of these MSDS, please contact your local Rohm and Haas representative for an additional copy. Updated MSDS are sent upon revision to all customers of record. In addition, MSDS are sent on an annual basis to all customers of record. ACRYSOL, KATHON, RHOPLEX, ROPAQUE and TAMOL are trademarks of, or of its subsidiaries or affiliates. These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without guarantee, as conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user determine the suitability of our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale. Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license to use any patents of the. Rohm and Haas, 2008 All rights reserved. January 1994