| HS Code | |
| Productname | Acrylic Emulsion |
| Chemicaltype | Acrylic polymer emulsion |
| Appearance | Milky white liquid |
| Solidcontent | 40-60% |
| Ph | 7-9 |
| Viscosity | 100-5000 mPa·s |
| Density | 1.0-1.1 g/cm³ |
| Particlesize | 80-300 nm |
| Glasstransitiontemperature | -20 to 30 °C |
| Minimumfilmformingtemperature | 0-25 °C |
| Ioniccharge | Anionic or nonionic |
| Dilutionmedium | Water |
| Voccontent | Low |
| Shelflife | 6-12 months |
| Storagetemperature | 5-35 °C |
| Freezethawstability | Pass 3 cycles |
| Packaging | 20 kg, 200 kg, 1000 kg |
As an accredited Acrylic Emulsion factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Acrylic Emulsion is packaged in 200 kg polyethylene-lined steel drums, tightly sealed for safe industrial storage and transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Loading Acrylic Emulsion safely into a 20′ FCL container with palletized drums, proper securing, sealing, labeling, and compliant shipping documentation. |
| Shipping | Acrylic emulsion is typically shipped in sealed drums, IBCs, or totes. Keep containers upright, cool, and protected from freezing. Label and document per applicable regulations; verify SDS, as some formulations may be regulated. Transport in closed, secure vehicles, avoiding extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. |
| Storage | Store acrylic emulsion in tightly closed original containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, sparks, and ignition sources. Protect from freezing and excessive heat; recommended storage is 5–30°C. Keep containers upright, labeled, and segregated from oxidizers and incompatible materials. Use secondary containment where required. Do not store near food, drink, or animal feed. Follow SDS and local regulations. |
| Shelf Life | Acrylic emulsion typically has a shelf life of 6–12 months when stored sealed, away from freezing, heat, and direct sunlight. |
Formulation of interior matte wall paint with pure acrylic emulsion begins with pigment dispersion in a high-speed disperser. The mill base contains water 15–25 wt%, sodium polyacrylate dispersant 0.3–0.8 wt%, non-silicone defoamer 0.1–0.3 wt%, isothiazolinone biocide 0.1–0.2 wt%, rutile titanium dioxide 10–20 wt%, and an extender blend of calcined kaolin and 5–10 µm calcium carbonate at 25–35 wt%. Cowles blade tip speed is maintained at 18–25 m/s for 20–30 min until a Hegman grind gauge reading of 5–7 µm is obtained. Letdown follows at 8–12 m/s with 15–25 wt% acrylic emulsion having 48–52 wt% solids, pH 7.5–8.5, and minimum film-forming temperature 8–14°C. Coalescent 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate is post-added at 2–5 wt% on binder solids. Hydroxyethyl cellulose thickening is adjusted to 2,000–4,000 mPa·s at 25°C using a Brookfield RVT viscometer, spindle 4, at 20 rpm. Final pH is raised to 8.5–9.5 with ammonia. Application is specified at 20–25°C and 40–60% relative humidity. Airless spray or short-nap roller produces a dry film thickness of 35–70 µm per coat. Open time is extended by 2–5 wt% propylene glycol. Wet scrub resistance is tested under ASTM D2486; cleanability classes derive from ISO 11998. Hiding power is measured by ASTM D2805. EU Directive 2004/42/EC Phase II caps VOC for waterborne flat interior coatings at 30 g/L. China GB 18582-2020 caps VOC for waterborne interior wall coatings at 80 g/L and formaldehyde at 50 mg/kg. End products include interior ceiling paint, wall topcoat, and tinted base paints.
| Parameter | Flat wall paint PVC 70–80% | Eggshell wall paint PVC 45–55% |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic emulsion binder | 15–22 wt% | 25–35 wt% |
| Titanium dioxide | 8–15 wt% | 15–20 wt% |
| Extender pigment | 30–40 wt% | 20–30 wt% |
| Coalescent on binder solids | 1–2 wt% | 3–5 wt% |
| Brookfield RVT viscosity | 2,000–3,000 mPa·s | 3,000–4,000 mPa·s |
| EU VOC limit | 30 g/L | 30 g/L |
Flat wall paint formulations above critical pigment volume concentration tolerate lower binder content because air voids enhance dry hiding. Scrub resistance and burnish resistance decline once PVC exceeds critical pigment volume concentration by more than 10–15%. The letdown stage must avoid high shear on acrylic emulsion to prevent coagulum formation. Emulsion droplet size of 0.1–0.2 µm is sensitive to excessive tip speed and pH shock. Filtration through 150–250 µm media is required before filling.
Elastomeric roof coating films must simultaneously maintain low-temperature flexibility and high-temperature dirt pickup resistance. A two-stage acrylic emulsion can provide a soft continuous phase with a glass transition temperature of -25 to -35°C and a hard phase with a glass transition temperature of 40 to 60°C. The soft phase permits elongation at -5°C without excessive coalescent demand. The hard phase raises surface hardness and reduces dirt embedment at roof service temperatures above 70°C. Typical formulation uses acrylic emulsion 40–50 wt% of 55–60 wt% solids, rutile titanium dioxide 6–10 wt%, calcium carbonate 15–25 wt%, zinc oxide 1–3 wt%, ammonium salt dispersant 0.3–0.7 wt%, mineral oil defoamer 0.2–0.5 wt%, and thickener 0.3–0.8 wt%. Coalescent is added at 0–2 wt% on binder solids depending on minimum film-forming temperature. Airless spray application is performed at 12–17 MPa fluid pressure with a 0.025–0.035 inch reversible tip. Wet film thickness per coat is 0.5–0.8 mm; total dry film thickness after two coats is 0.5–0.9 mm. Polyester reinforcing fabric is embedded between coats at penetrations and seams. Physical property compliance is specified by ASTM D6083. Tensile elongation is measured by ASTM D2370 at 23°C and -5°C. Flexibility is measured by ASTM D522. Accelerated weathering is run under ASTM D4587 for 2,000 h. EU Directive 2004/42/EC Category A/c caps VOC for waterborne exterior mineral coatings at 40 g/L. End products include flat and low-slope roof restoration, parapet flashing, metal roof seam sealing, and topcoat over sprayed polyurethane foam.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive coating lines running full acrylic emulsion systems require a defined balance between loop tack, 180° peel, and static shear. The emulsion is selected with solids 50–55 wt%, pH 6.5–7.5, viscosity 200–800 mPa·s, and a Tg of -45 to -35°C. Internal gel content is often controlled between 30% and 60% to limit cold flow. For transfer coating, wet adhesive is applied by comma coater or slot die to a siliconized release liner at 20–40 g/m² dry coat weight. Drying is staged in three forced-air zones at 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C with total residence 2–4 min. Polyfunctional aziridine crosslinker is added at 0.3–1.0 wt% on binder solids for improved cohesion; pot life shortens to 8–12 h. The dried adhesive is laminated to biaxially oriented polypropylene or paper facestock at 20–40°C. 180° peel adhesion is measured by ASTM D3330 at 300 mm/min. Static shear is measured by ASTM D3654 using a 1 kg mass on 25 mm × 25 mm area. Loop tack is measured by FINAT FTM 9. Food-contact label adhesives are evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 175.105. REACH Annex XVII restricts aziridine residues in the final film. The main processing limitation occurs below 80 µm wet gap; high-shear circulation can cause micro-foam and transfer defects. End products include roll label stock, protective films, window decals, and double-sided mounting tapes.
In nonwoven saturation bonding, binder formulation is dominated by wash durability and dry tensile strength. A self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion with n-methylolacrylamide at 1–3 wt% on monomer is used for durable wipes. Formaldehyde-free grades use diacetone acrylamide at 3–6 wt% plus adipic acid dihydrazide at 0.5–1.5 wt%. The emulsion is diluted with demineralized water to 10–25 wt% solids before saturation. Binder add-on is controlled between 5 and 25 dry wt% based on fibre weight. Viscosity is maintained below 100 mPa·s to prevent foam and streaking. The saturation bath is set at pH 5.5–6.5 to minimize premature crosslinking. A pad mangle with 2–4 bar nip pressure removes excess liquor. Through-air drying at 130–160°C for 2–5 min activates crosslinking. Dry tensile is tested by ISO 9073-3; wet tensile after 1 h water immersion uses the same method modified; water absorption by ISO 9073-6. Compliance for hygiene products includes OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I. Tg of -20 to -10°C produces soft, drapable nonwovens; Tg of 20 to 30°C produces stiff, pleatable filtration media. End products include air-through bonded acquisition layers, adult incontinence cores, durable cleaning wipes, and pleated air filtration media.
When acrylic emulsion is selected for blade-coated paperboard used in food packaging, the binder selection shifts toward low-odor, low-VOC grades with high shear stability. Coating colour is prepared at 55–65 wt% solids with 100 parts ground calcium carbonate or kaolin, 10–15 parts acrylic binder dry, 0.1–0.3 parts sodium polyacrylate dispersant, and 0.5–1 part calcium stearate lubricant. pH is held at 8.5–9.5 with sodium hydroxide. The blade coater operates at 800–1,500 m/min with dry coat weight 8–15 g/m² per side. Drying uses infrared dryers followed by air flotation at 90–130°C. Coated paperboard is calendered at 80–120 kN/m line load to a Parker Print Surf value below 1.5 µm. Food-contact status is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 for aqueous and fatty foods and 21 CFR 176.180 for dry foods. EU compliance is under Regulation 1935/2004 and Commission Regulation 10/2011 where applicable as a functional barrier. China GB 9685 applies to additives. Excess binder above 18 parts reduces porosity and slows converter scoring operations. Below 8 parts causes dusting at die cutting. End products include folding cartons, display board, food service cups, and printed paper labels.
| Requirement | Standard / regulation | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Food-contact paperboard for aqueous/fatty foods | FDA 21 CFR 176.170 | Migration component limits |
| Food-contact paperboard for dry foods | FDA 21 CFR 176.180 | Good manufacturing practice |
| EU food contact framework | Regulation 1935/2004 | Article 3 safety |
| Plastic layer functional barrier | Commission Regulation 10/2011 | Overall migration 10 mg/dm² |
| China additive positive list | GB 9685 | Specific migration limits |
Acrylic latex sealant is filled with calcium carbonate to produce a 75–85 wt% solids paste. The formulation uses acrylic emulsion 35–45 wt%, ground calcium carbonate 40–50 wt%, plasticizer 5–10 wt%, wetting agent 0.2–0.5 wt%, defoamer 0.1–0.3 wt%, and cellulosic thickener 0.5–2 wt%. Mixing is performed in a planetary mixer with vacuum of 0.06–0.08 MPa for 30–45 min to remove entrained air. Extrusion rate is controlled between 50 and 300 g/min with a 20–35 N trigger force on a 310 mL caulk gun. Joint movement is limited compared with silicone and polyurethane; ASTM C834 sets extension and adhesion requirements after accelerated weathering. Adhesion is tested after 7-day cure at 23°C and 50% RH. Water resistance is not equivalent to silicone or polyurethane; continuous immersion causes whitening and loss of cohesion. VOC is limited by SCAQMD Rule 1168 for waterborne sealants. End uses include interior door and window fillets, baseboard gaps, crown molding joints, and wall transition seams. The main field failure mode is top surface cracking at joints wider than 12 mm under cyclic movement.
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`Acrylic Emulsion` designates a waterborne dispersion of polyacrylic and polymethacrylic ester copolymers manufactured by free-radical emulsion polymerization. It is not a single molecular entity but a product class whose commercial models differ by comonomer ratio, particle architecture, surfactant package, and functional monomer content. The primary monomers in architectural and industrial grades include butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid; by adjusting the ratio of methyl methacrylate to butyl acrylate, the glass transition temperature is controlled through the Fox equation and measured by differential scanning calorimetry according to ISO 16805. Typical specification values for incoming quality control include total solids of 48–52% by mass determined by ISO 3251, Brookfield RVT viscosity of 500–3,000 mPa·s at 25 °C using ISO 2555, pH of 8.0–9.0 per ISO 976, and median particle size from 80 nm to 220 nm by laser diffraction per ISO 13320. The product is used in architectural coatings, industrial maintenance primers, adhesives, paper saturation, and textile binders; selection among these applications depends on minimum film formation temperature, rheological response, and moisture resistance rather than on a single product model. These features differentiate acrylic emulsion from solvent-borne acrylic solutions, vinyl acetate-ethylene dispersions, styrene-acrylic dispersions, and polyurethane dispersions.
Emulsion polymerization proceeds through micellar nucleation when the surfactant concentration exceeds the critical micelle concentration. Persulfate initiators, typically ammonium persulfate or sodium persulfate, generate sulfate radical anions that propagate polymer chains with molar masses from 105 to 106 g/mol as measured by gel permeation chromatography in accordance with ISO 13885-1. The resulting dispersion contains polymer particles with a median diameter of 80–220 nm when measured by laser diffraction per ISO 13320. The particles are stabilized by anionic and nonionic surfactants; alkylphenol ethoxylate-free surfactant packages are increasingly specified to meet REACH Annex XVII restrictions. Functional monomers, commonly methacrylic acid at 1–3 wt% of total monomer, introduce carboxylate groups that provide pH-dependent thickening and adhesion to polar substrates. Commercial architectural binders are frequently designed with a calculated glass transition temperature of 5–20 °C, while direct-to-metal grades may be designed at 30–50 °C and require higher coalescent demand. Table 1 lists the specification profile used for incoming quality control in a 500-kg architectural binder batch.
| Property | Test method | Typical range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total solids | ISO 3251 | 48–52 | wt% |
| pH | ISO 976 | 8.0–9.0 | — |
| Brookfield viscosity (RVT, 20 rpm, 25 °C) | ISO 2555 | 500–3,000 | mPa·s |
| Minimum film formation temperature | ISO 2115 | 0–18 | °C |
| Glass transition temperature (DSC midpoint) | ISO 16805 | 5–20 | °C |
| Particle size D50 | ISO 13320 | 80–220 | nm |
| Density | ISO 2811-1 | 1.02–1.08 | g/cm³ |
| Freeze-thaw stability | ASTM D2243 | 3 cycles | limit |
In exterior flat architectural coatings, an acrylic emulsion with a measured MFFT below 10 °C per ISO 2115 and a coalescent demand of 2–6 wt% on binder solids is formulated for crack-free film formation at 5 °C application temperature. Production-scale paint dispersion is carried out in a high-speed disperser fitted with a Cowles blade at a tip speed of 18–25 m/s; pigment and extender are dispersed in water containing dispersant and defoamer, and the acrylic emulsion is added during letdown to minimize shear-induced destabilization. The formulated coating is adjusted to a Stormer viscosity of 90–110 KU per ASTM D562 and an ICI high-shear viscosity of 1.0–2.0 P per ASTM D4287. This procedure differs from solvent-borne acrylic processing because the binder is a dispersion rather than a solution; high-shear addition into the pigment grind can cause particle coagulation or foam stabilization. Pre-mixing is required before use because storage settlement occurs in low-viscosity grades.
Film formation proceeds through three stages: water evaporation drives packing of polymer particles; particle deformation closes interstitial voids; and polymer chain interdiffusion across particle boundaries builds cohesive strength. The minimum film formation temperature is measured using a temperature-gradient bar according to ISO 2115 and is influenced by particle size, plasticizer content, and comonomer composition. Coalescing agents such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate or glycol ethers reduce MFFT by plasticizing the polymer during drying and then diffuse from the film. Addition of 3–8 wt% coalescent on binder solids is typical for binders with MFFT above application temperature. Without adequate coalescence, the dried film develops a cracked, low-gloss appearance and poor scrub resistance measured by ASTM D2486 and poor wet adhesion measured by ASTM D3359. A process conflict arises in low-odor interior formulations because the ideal MFFT for crack-free film formation at 5 °C is below 10 °C, while block resistance at 35 °C becomes unacceptable when MFFT is reduced too far. The practical formulation window is often ±3–5 °C around the coalescent-adjusted MFFT; below this window, film cracking occurs, and above it, block resistance fails under ASTM D4946. Multi-phase particle morphology, such as gradient or core-shell designs, can reduce coalescent demand by concentrating low-Tg polymer at the particle surface while maintaining block resistance. Published quantitative data for specific industrial core-shell grades is limited; formulators verify performance through cyclic testing under ASTM G154 and ASTM D2247.
The dispersion remains stable only within a pH window of 7.5–9.5 for anionic surfactant-stabilized grades; addition of strong acids or multivalent cations such as calcium chloride or zinc oxide slurry can cause grit formation. Dosing of 28% ammonium hydroxide at 0.1–0.3 wt% is used to maintain pH during open-tank processing because ammonia evaporates and lowers pH. This is a critical threshold risk during extended paint letdown and must be controlled by closed-loop pH measurement.
In industrial maintenance coatings, acrylic emulsion is selected to reduce volatile organic compound content relative to solvent-borne acrylic resins. A formulated waterborne direct-to-metal primer may exhibit VOC below 100 g/L per ASTM D3960, depending on coalescent and solvent inclusion, whereas high-solids solvent-borne acrylic coatings frequently exceed 350 g/L. Corrosion resistance in a waterborne acrylic primer is verified by salt spray exposure per ASTM B117 and adhesion by pull-off per ASTM D4541. However, the operational boundary is narrow: flash rusting on carbon steel occurs when the film remains wet too long, so formulators include organic flash-rust inhibitors or adjust the binder with a styrene-acrylic or acrylic-alkyd hybrid. Drying in high relative humidity above 70% RH at 10–15 °C slows water release and may cause loss of intercoat adhesion. The product differs from solvent-borne acrylic in that reverse osmosis water evaporation is required before polymer diffusion; surface preparation under SSPC-SP10 near-white blast cleaning is generally specified for immersion service. Published direct numerical comparisons across all resin systems remain limited, but field application data from airless spray equipment at 12–15 MPa show faster dry-to-handle times when air flow is maintained.
Ceramic tile adhesive formulations employ a carboxylated acrylic emulsion with an elongation at break above 300% per ISO 527-3 and an MFFT below 5 °C per ISO 2115 to improve flexibility and water resistance. The dispersion is post-added to a cementitious dry blend only after retardation testing; anionically stabilized acrylic latex can destabilize upon contact with high levels of calcium ions from Portland cement, producing grainy texture and reduced open time. Field batches in a planetary mixer with a batch size of 500 kg require sequential addition of defoamer, then dispersion, then cellulose ether slurry to prevent foam entrainment. Adhesion after 28 days of immersion is evaluated by ISO 13007 for ceramic tile adhesives. This class differs from vinyl acetate-ethylene redispersible polymer powders because it is a liquid dispersion; this imposes freeze-thaw constraints but permits higher polymer loadings without spray drying and lowers formaldehyde potential when alkylphenol ethoxylate-free surfactants are used.
Rheological response is shear-rate dependent. Low-shear viscosity measured by ISO 2555 or ASTM D2196 is strongly influenced by thickener choice and emulsion particle size; high-shear viscosity measured at 10,000 s−1 by ASTM D4287 is governed more by emulsion solids and polymer composition. Associative thickeners, including hydrophobically modified ethylene oxide urethane and hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable emulsion, interact with emulsion particle surfaces; overdosing by 0.5–1.0 wt% on total formulation can create a viscosity cliff-edge and a stringy, non-Newtonian response. Production dispersion with a rotor-stator mixer at 3,000–5,000 rpm for laboratory batches or a high-speed disperser at 18–25 m/s tip speed for plant scales is employed for pigment incorporation; the acrylic emulsion is added after milling because high shear above 105 s−1 can shear-coagulate surfactant-stabilized particles. Batch-to-batch viscosity variation observed on 1,000-kg paint letdown tanks is controlled by closed-loop pH adjustment; ammonia loss from open mixing reduces pH, altering alkali-swellable thickener association and lowering Stormer viscosity.
For binder selection, acrylic emulsion differs from styrene-acrylic and vinyl acetate-ethylene in hydrolysis resistance and ultraviolet aging. In accelerated weathering under ASTM G154, styrene comonomer contributes aromatic absorption and tends to produce greater gloss loss after 1,000 h than pure acrylic grades; however, published numerical rankings for specific formulations are limited. Vinyl acetate-ethylene dispersions are supplied at high solids and low cost but are prone to alkaline hydrolysis; acrylic emulsions are suitable for pH-stabilized cementitious and masonry formulations. Polyurethane dispersions exhibit lower abrasion loss per ASTM D4060 than typical acrylic emulsions but are supplied at lower solids or higher cost per dry kilogram; acrylic emulsion is therefore more common in architectural and general industrial coatings where exterior durability is required but immersion-grade chemical resistance is not the primary criterion. Compared with alkyd emulsions, acrylic emulsion does not rely on autoxidative cure and generally contributes lower volatile organic compound content, but it may exhibit lower initial gloss under ASTM D523 unless surface-modified or formulated with appropriate wetting agents.
Compliance status is formulation-dependent and is verified against applicable regulatory standards. Table 2 lists the standard designations used for raw material and formulated coating compliance. The raw acrylic emulsion typically is supplied with a total VOC content below 50 g/L when measured by ASTM D3960; formulated coatings may exceed this after coalescent and cosolvent addition, depending on the regulatory category. In North America, architectural coatings are subject to SCAQMD Rule 1113 limits of 50 g/L for flat coatings and 100 g/L for non-flat coatings; the acrylic emulsion itself is not a final coating and is assessed after letdown.
| Standard/Regulation | Scope | Status for Acrylic Emulsion |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D3960 | VOC content of formulated coating | Raw emulsion typically <50 g/L; formulated coating depends on additives |
| ISO 3251 | Total solids | Specified grade range 48–52% |
| FDA 21 CFR 175.300 | Resinous and polymeric coatings for food contact | Selected grades comply within extractive limits |
| REACH Annex XVII | NPEO restrictions | APEO-free grades required |
| RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Heavy metals and phthalates | Low heavy-metal grades available |
| SCAQMD Rule 1113 | Architectural coatings VOC | Formulated flat <50 g/L; nonflat <100 g/L |
| AgBB/DIBt | Indoor VOC emissions | Tested after 28 days for low-emission paints |
Paper saturation for filtration media involves selecting an acrylic emulsion with a particle size below 150 nm per ISO 13320 to penetrate cellulose sheet without forming a surface film. The saturated substrate is dried through a belt dryer with a temperature ramp from 80 °C to 135 °C; crosslinking grades containing N-methylolacrylamide or acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate are used when wet strength is required. Tensile strength after saturation is evaluated by ISO 1924-2 and wet tensile retention by ISO 3781. This application exploits the low-temperature film-forming ability and adjustable hydrophilicity of acrylic emulsions, and it differs from styrene-acrylic alternatives by offering lower yellowing under heat aging as measured by yellowness index per ASTM E313.
