Properties of general-purpose acrylic copolymers
Thread Content
The functions of acrylic copolymers mainly include the following aspects: In face washes, acrylic (ester) copolymers can effectively increase the viscosity of the face wash, making it easier to apply and spread on the skin and thereby improving the user experience. At the same time, such copolymers prevent the components in the face wash from separating, solidifying, or deteriorating, ensuring the durability of the product. Furthermore, acrylic (ester) copolymers form a uniform film on the skin surface, effectively adsorbing and removing dirt and oil, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect. It can also form a protective layer together with the skin surface, effectively preventing the intrusion of external pollutants, reducing irritation and damage to the skin, and providing some degree of moisturizing effect1. Role in industry: As a high-performance polymer material, the acrylic copolymer SF-1 is widely used in industries such as coatings, textiles, papermaking, and water treatment. Its main functions include: dispersibility, which enables effective dispersion of particles, prevents agglomeration, and improves product uniformity ； Thickening property: its molecular chain structure confers appropriate viscosity to the system, making it suitable for applications where rheology needs to be controlled ； Stability: Through charge repulsion or steric hindrance, it can enhance the chemical and physical stability of the system, thereby extending the product’s shelf life2. Role in cosmetics and skincare products: Sodium acrylate copolymers (SAP) possess excellent water absorption and retention properties, which has led to their widespread use in the cosmetics and skincare industry. It can regulate the skin’s oil and moisture balance, prevent excessive loss of water, and keep the skin in a healthy state. At the same time, sodium acrylate copolymers can form a moisture-locking film on the skin’s surface, effectively retaining water and maintaining the skin’s hydration level. They also possess antioxidant properties that help to slow down skin aging. In addition, sodium acrylate copolymers also have anti-sensitivity and reparative effects; they can fill in the fine wrinkles on the skin surface, making the skin smoother, and form a protective layer that prevents damage from bacteria and ultraviolet rays, thereby reducing skin sensitivity caused by factors such as environmental pollution3.
I. General-purpose acrylic copolymers (1-8)
1. Styrene-acrylate copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, good adhesion, low cost
• Advantages: Excellent cost-performance ratio, mature manufacturing process
• Disadvantages: Average weather resistance, prone to yellowing
• Applications: Building coatings, industrial primers, wood finishes
• Formula: 35% styrene + 60% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To balance cost and coating hardness
2. Acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer (VA)
• Characteristics: Good flexibility, low film-forming temperature, average water resistance
• Advantages: Low cost, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: Poor weather resistance, prone to hydrolysis
• Applications: Interior wall coatings, adhesives, paper product coatings
• Formula: 45% vinyl acetate + 50% butyl acrylate + 5% emulsifier
• Purpose: To provide good flexibility and initial adhesion
3. Acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, high temperature resistance, solvent resistance
• Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties, good chemical resistance
• Disadvantages: High brittleness, high cost
• Applications: Industrial topcoats, plastic coatings, anti-corrosion coatings
• Formula: 30% styrene + 15% acrylonitrile + 50% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To enhance the coating’s heat and solvent resistance
4. Acrylate-silicone copolymer (VS)
• Characteristics: Ultra-high weather resistance, water and stain resistance, no yellowing
• Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for outdoor use
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process
• Applications: Exterior wall coatings, waterproof coatings, high-end industrial coatings
• Formula: 15% silicone monomer + 80% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To improve the material’s weather resistance and self-cleaning ability
1. Styrene-acrylate copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, good adhesion, low cost
• Advantages: Excellent cost-performance ratio, mature manufacturing process
• Disadvantages: Average weather resistance, prone to yellowing
• Applications: Building coatings, industrial primers, wood finishes
• Formula: 35% styrene + 60% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To balance cost and coating hardness
2. Acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer (VA)
• Characteristics: Good flexibility, low film-forming temperature, average water resistance
• Advantages: Low cost, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: Poor weather resistance, prone to hydrolysis
• Applications: Interior wall coatings, adhesives, paper product coatings
• Formula: 45% vinyl acetate + 50% butyl acrylate + 5% emulsifier
• Purpose: To provide good flexibility and initial adhesion
3. Acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, high temperature resistance, solvent resistance
• Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties, good chemical resistance
• Disadvantages: High brittleness, high cost
• Applications: Industrial topcoats, plastic coatings, anti-corrosion coatings
• Formula: 30% styrene + 15% acrylonitrile + 50% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To enhance the coating’s heat and solvent resistance
4. Acrylate-silicone copolymer (VS)
• Characteristics: Ultra-high weather resistance, water and stain resistance, no yellowing
• Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for outdoor use
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process
• Applications: Exterior wall coatings, waterproof coatings, high-end industrial coatings
• Formula: 15% silicone monomer + 80% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator
• Purpose: To improve the material’s weather resistance and self-cleaning ability
5. Acrylate-fluorine monomer copolymer (Fluoropropylene) • Characteristics: Extremely low surface energy, ultra-weather resistance, self-cleaning property • Advantages: Top-tier weather resistance and excellent stain resistance • Disadvantages: Very high cost, complex manufacturing requirements • Applications: Anti-corrosion topcoats, photovoltaic coatings, exterior wall stain-resistant paints • Formula: 10% fluorine monomer + 85% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator • Purpose: To meet the demands for ultra-weather resistance and self-cleaning properties
6. Acrylate-epoxy modified copolymer • Characteristics: High adhesion, high chemical resistance, high hardness • Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for anti-corrosion applications • Disadvantages: High cost, slow curing speed • Applications: Anti-corrosion coatings, floor coatings, metal primers • Formula: 25% epoxy resin + 70% butyl acrylate + 5% catalyst • Purpose: To enhance the adhesion and chemical resistance of coatings
7. Acrylate-polyurethane copolymer emulsion (PUA) • Characteristics: High elasticity, high scratch resistance, high fullness • Advantages: Excellent overall performance and good feel • Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process • Applications: Leather finishing, wood coatings, elastic coatings • Formula: 30% polyurethane prepolymer + 65% butyl acrylate + 5% emulsifier • Purpose: To balance elasticity and wear resistance
8. Hydroxyacrylate copolymer (therosetting) • Characteristics: Contains -OH groups, capable of cross-linking with curing agents, high hardness • Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties and good weather resistance • Disadvantages: Requires a curing agent, complex manufacturing process • Applications: Automotive paints, industrial coatings, high-performance topcoats • Formula: 25% hydroxyacrylate + 70% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator • Purpose: To provide highly performant, cross-linkable coatings
6. Acrylate-epoxy modified copolymer • Characteristics: High adhesion, high chemical resistance, high hardness • Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for anti-corrosion applications • Disadvantages: High cost, slow curing speed • Applications: Anti-corrosion coatings, floor coatings, metal primers • Formula: 25% epoxy resin + 70% butyl acrylate + 5% catalyst • Purpose: To enhance the adhesion and chemical resistance of coatings
7. Acrylate-polyurethane copolymer emulsion (PUA) • Characteristics: High elasticity, high scratch resistance, high fullness • Advantages: Excellent overall performance and good feel • Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process • Applications: Leather finishing, wood coatings, elastic coatings • Formula: 30% polyurethane prepolymer + 65% butyl acrylate + 5% emulsifier • Purpose: To balance elasticity and wear resistance
8. Hydroxyacrylate copolymer (therosetting) • Characteristics: Contains -OH groups, capable of cross-linking with curing agents, high hardness • Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties and good weather resistance • Disadvantages: Requires a curing agent, complex manufacturing process • Applications: Automotive paints, industrial coatings, high-performance topcoats • Formula: 25% hydroxyacrylate + 70% butyl acrylate + 5% initiator • Purpose: To provide highly performant, cross-linkable coatings
II. Functional Acrylic Copolymers (9-14)
9. Carboxylic Acid Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High adhesion, good dispersibility, excellent water solubility
• Advantages: Strong process adaptability, environmentally friendly
• Disadvantages: Poor water resistance, high cost
• Applications: Water-based primers, water-based inks, pigment dispersants
• Formula: Acrylic acid 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve material dispersibility and adhesion
10. Acrylate-Epoxy Soybean Oil Copolymer
• Characteristics: Low cost, toughening effect, hydrolysis resistance
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, cost controllable
• Disadvantages: Poor weather resistance, low hardness
• Applications: Anti-corrosion primers, general industrial coatings, adhesives
• Formula: Epoxy soybean oil 20% + Butyl acrylate 75% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Balance cost and toughness
11. Self-crosslinking Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: Self-crosslinks at room/low temperatures, high water resistance
• Advantages: No curing agent required, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: High cost, high stability requirements
• Applications: Textile coatings, non-woven fabric adhesives, packaging adhesives
• Formula: Self-crosslinking monomer 10% + Butyl acrylate 85% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve material water resistance and crosslinking density
12. Core-Shell Structured Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High elasticity, high crack resistance, good film-forming properties
• Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for elastic coatings
• Disadvantages: Complex processing, high cost
• Applications: Elastic exterior wall paints, waterproof coatings, repair mortars
• Formula: Soft core (Butyl acrylate) 60% + Hard shell (Methyl methacrylate) 35% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Balance elasticity and film-forming properties
13. High Tg Rigid Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, high gloss, wear resistance
• Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties, high gloss
• Disadvantages: High brittleness, high film-forming temperature
• Applications: Topcoats, plastic paints, inks
• Formula: Methyl methacrylate 60% + Butyl acrylate 35% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve coating hardness and gloss
14. Low Tg Soft Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High flexibility, film formation at low temperatures, good initial adhesion
• Advantages: Excellent flexibility, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: Low hardness, poor wear resistance
• Applications: Pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, soft coatings
• Formula: Butyl acrylate 85% + Methyl methacrylate 10% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Provide good flexibility and initial adhesion
9. Carboxylic Acid Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High adhesion, good dispersibility, excellent water solubility
• Advantages: Strong process adaptability, environmentally friendly
• Disadvantages: Poor water resistance, high cost
• Applications: Water-based primers, water-based inks, pigment dispersants
• Formula: Acrylic acid 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve material dispersibility and adhesion
10. Acrylate-Epoxy Soybean Oil Copolymer
• Characteristics: Low cost, toughening effect, hydrolysis resistance
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, cost controllable
• Disadvantages: Poor weather resistance, low hardness
• Applications: Anti-corrosion primers, general industrial coatings, adhesives
• Formula: Epoxy soybean oil 20% + Butyl acrylate 75% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Balance cost and toughness
11. Self-crosslinking Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: Self-crosslinks at room/low temperatures, high water resistance
• Advantages: No curing agent required, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: High cost, high stability requirements
• Applications: Textile coatings, non-woven fabric adhesives, packaging adhesives
• Formula: Self-crosslinking monomer 10% + Butyl acrylate 85% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve material water resistance and crosslinking density
12. Core-Shell Structured Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High elasticity, high crack resistance, good film-forming properties
• Advantages: Excellent overall performance, suitable for elastic coatings
• Disadvantages: Complex processing, high cost
• Applications: Elastic exterior wall paints, waterproof coatings, repair mortars
• Formula: Soft core (Butyl acrylate) 60% + Hard shell (Methyl methacrylate) 35% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Balance elasticity and film-forming properties
13. High Tg Rigid Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High hardness, high gloss, wear resistance
• Advantages: Excellent mechanical properties, high gloss
• Disadvantages: High brittleness, high film-forming temperature
• Applications: Topcoats, plastic paints, inks
• Formula: Methyl methacrylate 60% + Butyl acrylate 35% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Improve coating hardness and gloss
14. Low Tg Soft Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: High flexibility, film formation at low temperatures, good initial adhesion
• Advantages: Excellent flexibility, easy to apply
• Disadvantages: Low hardness, poor wear resistance
• Applications: Pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, soft coatings
• Formula: Butyl acrylate 85% + Methyl methacrylate 10% + Initiator 5%
• Purpose: Provide good flexibility and initial adhesion
III. Special Acrylic Copolymers (15-20)
15. Water-based Acrylic Antirust Copolymer
• Characteristics: Strong adhesion to iron/aluminum, corrosion inhibition.
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, safe for application.
• Disadvantages: Moderate water resistance, high cost.
• Applications: Water-based antirust paints, industrial anti-corrosion primers.
• Formula: Phosphate-functional monomer 10% + Butyl acrylate 85% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the antirust performance and adhesion of materials.
16. UV-curable Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: Rapid curing, high gloss, high scratch resistance.
• Advantages: High production efficiency, stable performance.
• Disadvantages: High cost, requires specialized equipment.
• Applications: UV inks, UV wood finishes, UV plastic coatings.
• Formula: Acrylate monomer 70% + Photoinitiator 5% + Additives 25%.
• Purpose: Enhance production efficiency and product hardness.
17. Acrylate-ether modified copolymer
• Characteristics: Low VOC, low film-forming temperature, environmentally friendly.
• Advantages: Meets environmental standards, safe for application.
• Disadvantages: High cost, moderate weather resistance.
• Applications: Odorless coatings, children’s paints, eco-friendly emulsions.
• Formula: Ether-modified monomer 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Meet environmental regulations and ensure safe application.
18. Acrylate-phosphate functional copolymer
• Characteristics: Excellent adhesion, salt spray resistance.
• Advantages: Superior adhesion to metal substrates.
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process.
• Applications: Metal topcoats, paints specifically for aluminum/zinc substrates.
• Formula: Phosphate monomer 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the salt spray resistance and adhesion of coatings.
19. High alcohol-resistant acrylic copolymer
• Characteristics: Resistant to ethanol, wiping, and chemicals.
• Advantages: Excellent chemical resistance, suitable for packaging applications.
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process.
• Applications: Cosmetics packaging coatings, tableware coatings, plastic coatings.
• Formula: Alcohol-resistant monomer 20% + Butyl acrylate 75% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the alcohol and wiping resistance of materials.
20. Hot-melt acrylic copolymer
• Characteristics: Solvent-free, strong bonding strength, adjustable setting time.
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, high bonding strength.
• Disadvantages: Requires heating for application, high cost.
• Applications: Hot melt adhesives, bookbinding adhesives, composite film adhesives.
• Formula: Acrylate monomer 90% + Viscosity-enhancing resin 10%.
• Purpose: Provide solvent-free, high-strength bonding
15. Water-based Acrylic Antirust Copolymer
• Characteristics: Strong adhesion to iron/aluminum, corrosion inhibition.
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, safe for application.
• Disadvantages: Moderate water resistance, high cost.
• Applications: Water-based antirust paints, industrial anti-corrosion primers.
• Formula: Phosphate-functional monomer 10% + Butyl acrylate 85% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the antirust performance and adhesion of materials.
16. UV-curable Acrylic Copolymer
• Characteristics: Rapid curing, high gloss, high scratch resistance.
• Advantages: High production efficiency, stable performance.
• Disadvantages: High cost, requires specialized equipment.
• Applications: UV inks, UV wood finishes, UV plastic coatings.
• Formula: Acrylate monomer 70% + Photoinitiator 5% + Additives 25%.
• Purpose: Enhance production efficiency and product hardness.
17. Acrylate-ether modified copolymer
• Characteristics: Low VOC, low film-forming temperature, environmentally friendly.
• Advantages: Meets environmental standards, safe for application.
• Disadvantages: High cost, moderate weather resistance.
• Applications: Odorless coatings, children’s paints, eco-friendly emulsions.
• Formula: Ether-modified monomer 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Meet environmental regulations and ensure safe application.
18. Acrylate-phosphate functional copolymer
• Characteristics: Excellent adhesion, salt spray resistance.
• Advantages: Superior adhesion to metal substrates.
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process.
• Applications: Metal topcoats, paints specifically for aluminum/zinc substrates.
• Formula: Phosphate monomer 15% + Butyl acrylate 80% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the salt spray resistance and adhesion of coatings.
19. High alcohol-resistant acrylic copolymer
• Characteristics: Resistant to ethanol, wiping, and chemicals.
• Advantages: Excellent chemical resistance, suitable for packaging applications.
• Disadvantages: High cost, complex manufacturing process.
• Applications: Cosmetics packaging coatings, tableware coatings, plastic coatings.
• Formula: Alcohol-resistant monomer 20% + Butyl acrylate 75% + Initiator 5%.
• Purpose: Improve the alcohol and wiping resistance of materials.
20. Hot-melt acrylic copolymer
• Characteristics: Solvent-free, strong bonding strength, adjustable setting time.
• Advantages: Environmentally friendly, high bonding strength.
• Disadvantages: Requires heating for application, high cost.
• Applications: Hot melt adhesives, bookbinding adhesives, composite film adhesives.
• Formula: Acrylate monomer 90% + Viscosity-enhancing resin 10%.
• Purpose: Provide solvent-free, high-strength bonding
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