Processing Emulsified Oils and Alkyds to Generate Polymers

Abstract

During the past one hundred years, the coatings industry has employed large quantities of fats and oils. Table 1 demonstrates that the coatings industry used larger quantities each decade until the 1950’s when their use began to decline. The decline in fats and oils has largely been a result of the substitution of petroleum products for the vegetable oil. The alkyd resin contains a large percentage of oil or fatty acids and has been the predominate binder used in the trade-sales and industrial paint industry for over thirty-five years. Petroleum based product usage increased dramatically over the past decade, but it is evident from Table 2 that alkyd resins are still employed in large quantities. A large percentage of the trade sales market has switched to water-borne latex coatings based on petroleum derived materials. The major reason for this is consumer convenience in clean-up, short dry times and low odor. As paints based on these products further penetrate the existing market, the usage of vegetable oil-based coatings will continue to decline.