Emulsion Polymerization Applications

SEKISUI’s Selvol™ polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin is an excellent emulsifying and dispersing agent for an array of materials. In fact, it’s one of the most common polymers for colloidal stabilization of vinyl acetate-based emulsions.

By using PVOH when preparing adhesives, your final product has a variety of indispensable properties:

Better adhesion to hydrophilic substrates
Good machinability
Easy cleanup
Good wet tack
Rapid setting speed
Good heat resistance
Low blocking degree
High thickening response
Crosslinkability

Below, we explore its emulsion polymerization applications in greater depth.

Recipe for Success

Select the Right PVOH Grade To Get the Most Benefit From Your Final Product

Before choosing from our Selvol™ PVOH grades, consider three factors:

The composition of the emulsion you’re producing
The polymerization conditions
The final product’s desired properties

Additionally, PVOH molecular weight and hydrolysis levels strongly influence the emulsion’s final properties.

Generally, higher molecular weight PVOH grades result in emulsion polymers with higher viscosity, increased shear thinning, higher tensile strength and higher wet tack. Lower hydrolysis levels create good stability, increased water sensitivity and improved freeze-thaw stability.

Tips for Using PVOH in an Emulsion Polymerization

Small changes in the process conditions and/or amounts of raw materials being charged to the reactor can produce different emulsion properties, such as viscosity and coagulum levels.
PVOH must dissolve properly. For complete PVOH dissolution, please see our Selvol™ Polyvinyl Alcohol Solution Preparation guide.
When using different PVOH grades, make sure to use the correct ratio. Differences in the amounts of high or low molecular weight grades can influence emulsion viscosity.
Using high hydrolysis PVOH grades results in emulsions with larger particle sizes and lower viscosities than emulsions you produce using partially hydrolyzed PVOH grades.
Selvol PVOH 418 is a 92% hydrolyzed grade and can produce stable emulsions with enhanced properties, such as wet tack and faster set speeds for adhesives.
Selvol PVOH 800 grades are better versions of standard grades, and SEKISUI formulates them specifically for emulsion use. Their benefits include greater cold water solubility, low foaming, reduced gel content and reduced dusting.

Request a sample, or contact us for more information about Selvol PVOH for emulsion polymerization.