UTILIZATION OF BINARY BLENDS OF LIQUID NATURAL RUBBER AND POLYVINYL ACETATE IN EMULSION PAINT

Abstract

Studies were conducted on blends of liquid natural rubber (LNR) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc).The two polymers were characterized based on their physicochemical properties, and used in paint production. Results obtained showed that viscometric measurement and density of the polymers did not differ much. Five paints of different compositions labeled; Paint 1 (100% PVAc), Paint 2 (100% LNR), Paint 3 (75% LNR: 25% PVAc), Paint 4 (50% PVAc: 50% LNR), and Paint 5 (25% LNR: 75% PVAc) using standard emulsion paint formulation and method of production were employed. The paint samples were subjected to quality test. Most of the emulsion paint showed good quality test when compared by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Paint 1 had an excellent viscosity and adhesion when compared with Paint 2 and other samples. Also, Paint 5 recorded 22.0poise for viscosity and 0.68kgf for adhesion when compared with other paint blends. This shows that, emulsion paint formulated blends of LNR/PVAc with percentage composition 25% LNR; 75%PVAc exhibited best performance characteristics in terms of test conducted. The results suggest that LNR and PVAc are compatible as binders in emulsion paint production. Therefore, LNR/PVAc blends could be used as binder in the coating industry as an alternative to PVAc binder based emulsion paint.