Novel urethane acrylic hybrid emulsions for VOC compliant coatings

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a volatile organic component-free water-based binder with improved coating properties from urethane-alkyd acrylate by emulsion polymerisation.Design methodology approach - Alkyd resin based on interesterification of sardine fish and linseed oil (50:50 w w) was synthesised and reacted with isophorone diisocyanate to form urethane alkyd. The resultant urethane alkyd and acrylic monomers in different ratios were polymerised by emulsion polymerisation to form air-drying water-based binders and studied for physicochemical and other coating properties.Findings - Urethane alkyd, co-polymerised with acrylates by emulsion polymerisation process, can be used to prepare water-based air-drying binders with excellent coating and application performance. The increase in acrylate component in the system resulted in improvement of performance properties.Research limitations implications - In the present study, refined fish oil (FO) was obtained from sardine fish. Different FOs can be used to produce alkyd resin. Urethane alkyd and acrylic monomers in different ratios can be polymerised by emulsion polymerisation techniques.Practical implications - The emulsion polymerisation is the most effective technique used to produce water-based binders with excellent coating properties.Originality value - Water-based binders can be widely used in exterior coatings and waterproofing of cement and roofs.