Acrylic Ester Polymers, Survey

Abstract

Abstract The nature of the R group in its formula determines the properties of each acrylic ester and the polymers it forms. Polymers of this class are distinguished by their water‐clear color and stability on aging. Acrylic monomers are extremely versatile building blocks. They readily polymerize or copolymerize with a variety of other monomers. Copolymers with methacrylates, vinyl acetate, styrene, and acrylonitrile are commercially significant. Although the acrylics have a higher cost than many other monomers their unique characteristics and efficiency offset the higher cost. Acrylic ester polymers can be made to hydrolyze to poly(acrylic acid) or an acid salt and the corresponding alcohol. Two principal processes are used for the manufacture of monomeric acrylic esters: the semicatalytic Reppe process and the propylene oxidation process, the latter of which is preferred because of economy and safety. The toxicities of acrylic monomers range from moderate to slight. The vast majority of all commercially prepared acrylic polymers are copolymers of an acrylic ester monomer with one or more different monomers. Copolymerization has led to the development of many different resins for a variety of applications. Acrylic polymers are considered to be nontoxic, and are used primarily in coatings, textiles, adhesives, and paper.