Spray applications. Part IV. Compositional influences of HEUR thickeners on the spray and velocity profiles of waterborne latex coatings

In this study, the focus is on the spray behavior of latex coatings thickened with structurally different surfactant-modified, water-soluble polymers (associative thickeners of the hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane [HEUR] type). Particle image velocimetry (PIV) profiles are considered in the perspective of the dynamic uniaxial extensional viscosity (DUEV) of the coatings and an effort to understand the results in terms of the structural aspects of the thickener molecules is undertaken. A high-M v hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) thickened formulation, with a significant DUEV, does not atomize well. Among the HEUR thickeners, the addition of larger hydrophobes in the terminal positions requires less thickener to achieve a 90 KU viscosity and produces lower DUEVs and lower viscosities at high-shear rates. This is necessary to produce formulations with acceptable spray characteristics (i.e., good atomization). The sprayability of these systems is reflected in their velocity profiles and particle size/particle size distributions. Poorer spray characteristics are reflected in ligaments and broad particles size distributions. This study highlights the ability to control the particle size/size distribution and velocity profiles of coatings formulations through the use of structurally different HEUR associative thickeners. Variations in sprayability among different nozzle geometries are also studied.