1/8/22, 9:24 PM Ambient Cure Acrylic Emulsion Polymers Utilizing DAAM/ADH Technology

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P O LY M E R Q U E S T I O N S

Ambient Cure Acrylic Emulsion

Polymers Utilizing DAAM/ADH
Technology
March 19, 2019

Solvent-based polymer systems are giving way to water based

acrylic polymer emulsions due to environmental concerns and
related regulations limiting volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), as well as a desire to achieve significant improvements
in the..

Solvent-based polymer systems are giving way to water based acrylic

polymer emulsions due to environmental concerns and related
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1/8/22, 9:24 PM Ambient Cure Acrylic Emulsion Polymers Utilizing DAAM/ADH Technology

regulations limiting volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as a

desire to achieve significant improvements in the performance
characteristics of the water-based emulsion polymers.

Emulsion polymers are the system of choice for several product

classes:

Paints and Coatings

Printing and Packaging

Waterproofing membranes

Textiles and nonwovens

Adhesives and sealants

Waterborne acrylic polymers have seen advancements in film

mechanical properties; chemical, water, and abrasion resistance;
durability; adhesive properties; and solvent resistance. New
developments in polymer crosslinking chemistries have contributed
to this array of performance enhancements.

The leading crosslinking technology—crosslinking chemistry based on

diacetone acrylamide (DAAM) and adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH)-- is
known as keto-hydrazide crosslinking.

Advantages of the DAAM/ADH

Crosslinking System
There are multiple considerations related to the DAAM-ADH
crosslinking system that provide many benefits for consumers:

DAAM and ADH are safe to use.

Both are easy to use for a variety of formulations.

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Neither DAAM nor ADH contains formaldehyde.

Diacetone acrylamide uniformly copolymerizes within acrylic

copolymers, creating well-dispersed pendant ketone crosslinking
sites.

Waterbased acrylic emulsions based on diacetone acrylamide

with ADH in the aqueous phase, are initially non-reactive and
afford emulsion polymers with good long-term stability for easier
shipping and storage in retail containers.

After film coalescence, crosslinking becomes rapid at ambient

temperatures, thanks to water evaporation in the drying process
and a simultaneous reduction in pH arising from the loss of
ammonia.

Because crosslinking is post-coalescence, the resulting three-

dimensional polymer network exhibits maximum film cohesive
properties, as well as enhanced mechanical strength and
durability.

Crosslinking with the keto-hydrazide chemistry enhances some

key attributes, including abrasion, scrub, stain, and blocking
resistance; moisture and solvent resistance; and substrate
adhesion.

With other crosslinking chemistries, premature crosslinking occurs

within the emulsion particles prior to coalescence. This process slows
intermolecular diffusion between emulsion particles, resulting in
weaker film products and coatings. The likelihood of this scenario
increases when diacrylates are used in the copolymerization recipe to
produce crosslinks.

With the keto-hydrazide chemistry, crosslinking occurs post-

coalescence. This dynamic enables good molecular inter-diffusion
between emulsion particles as the film dries, which enhances film
properties.

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The Chemistry of DAAM/ADH

Crosslinking Monomers
The circled moieties in the chemical structures below highlight where
the crosslinking happens with these two molecules:

The diacetone acrylamide monomer is

soluble in water and most organic
solvents. This quality enables DAAM to
be easily incorporated into
polymerization recipes.

DAAM free-radical copolymerization can post-react with ADH to form

ambient cure systems. DAAM can also effectively be copolymerized
with vinyl acetate monomer, MMA, acrylic esters, acrylamide, styrene,
and others—whether in solution, bulk, or emulsion systems.

ADH, as a difunctional crosslinking agent, has a melting point of 177–

184°C and is moderately soluble in water. Here’s a view of its
structure:

After adding ADH to an ammonia-neutralized acrylic emulsion

containing DAAM, the emulsion remains stable when stored in one
pot.

Applications for Ambient Cure

Acrylic Emulsions
Perhaps the most significant attribute of ambient cure pure acrylic
emulsions is their versatility. Formulators can use these systems in
multiple applications across a variety of industries.

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Since the advent of these ambient cure all acrylic polymers, we’ve
seen the greatest adoption in the paints and coatings industry.
Among modern paints and coatings utilizing DAAM/ADH are durable
interior and exterior coatings for architecture, wood, and concrete.

If you are seeking an ambient cure all acrylic polymer emulsion,

contact Mallard Creek Polymers today.

Polymer scientists utilize DAAM and ADH monomers to develop

ambient cure polymers which optimize the mechanical properties,
and to achieve good stain resistance, toughness, impact resistance,
scrub resistance, adhesive properties, and more for a variety of
marketplace applications.

If you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits of these ambient

cure acrylic polymers for your coatings applications, our team at MCP
is ready to help. We can provide information on the ambient cure
acrylic polymer emulsions in our portfolio and provide the technical
support to help you optimize your product formulations moving
forward.

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