Preparation of epoxy resin/acrylic composite latexes by miniemulsion polymerization method

Epoxy resin/acrylic composite latexes were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization. Epoxy resins have a functional epoxy group in them and excellent characteristics, such as heat resistance and good adhesion. Acrylic latexes have weather and water resistance. Combining the epoxy resin and the acrylic latex was an attempt to actualize these advantages. The miniemulsion polymerization method was effective in obtaining the composite latex. A less than 500-nm droplet size for the monomer preemulsion was necessary to obtain the latex in a stable manner. Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and methacrylic acid as the reactive functional monomer with an epoxy group were introduced to the latexes. The. effect of the polymerization method of these functional groups on the properties of latexes and their films was investigated. The latex prepared by the two-stage polymerization method had good polymerization stability, storage stability, and solvent resistance. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 128-133, 2001.