PPG has been testing the commercial viability of polymers made via various forms of controlled radical polymerization for the last twenty years. Many diverse applications such as pigment dispersion, automotive clearcoats, rheology control additives, adhesion promoters, latex dispersants, low VOC coating polymers, powder coatings and the like have been investigated over the years. While theory would predict many advantages for controlled acrylic structure in these application areas, the practical reality has been that many of these perceived and hoped for advantages have been attainable with other more “conventional” polymerization techniques. This talk will detail several examples of where controlled structure has proven useful in the coatings industry, and several in which it has (surprisingly) not proven to be beneficial.<br/>Specifically, graphene dispersions for various applications, catalyst encapsulation, flow control additives, and adhesion promoters will be discussed.

Controlled radical polymerization: Adventures in commercialization

254th National Meeting (2017)

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