Quaternary polymeric coating as an alternative to minimize the use of costly or toxic solvents: Poly(styrene)-ethylbenzene-toluene-p-xylene system

Abstract

A gravimetric study of quaternary polymeric coatings has been carried out. The effects of coating parameters, namely, initial thickness and coating composition have been studied. The quaternary system of poly(styrene) – ethylbenzene – toluene – p-xylene has been considered for investigation. The residual solvent, average concentrations of polymer/solvent, and coating thickness of the quaternary coating system have been compared with corresponding binary and ternary coatings. The results indicate that the amount of any costly or toxic solvent can be reduced to a significant extent in quaternary coatings by using other cheaper or less toxic solvents, which give nearly the same drying rate. The use of these solvents can thus lead to lowering the material and energy costs of the drying operations.The binary coatings of poly(styrene) – toluene, poly(styrene) – ethylbenzene, and poly(styrene) – p-xylene have been compared with corresponding quaternary systems. The ternary coatings of poly(styrene) – toluene – ethylbenzene, and poly(styrene) – toluene – p-xylene, poly(styrene) – ethylbenzene – p-xylene have been compared with corresponding quaternary systems.