Acrylate-based fluorinated copolymers for high-solids coatings

A series of low, medium, and high molecular weight copolymers containing methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate were synthesized by solution polymerization under monomer-starved conditions. The acrylate-based copolymers were characterized by FTIR; 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The molecular weights and the glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were determined using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The copolymers were crosslinked with a methylated melamine formaldehyde resin in order to obtain thermosetting acrylics. Surface, optical, barrier, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of the acrylic coatings were investigated. An enrichment of fluorinated units at the acrylic surface was directly verified measuring dynamic contact angles. Lower wettability, higher oxygen permeability, and lower refractive index were observed for higher concentrations of fluorinated monomer in the copolymer composition. High number-average hydroxyl functionality of high molecular weight copolymers increased the crosslink density of the acrylic films, resulting in improved tensile strength and tensile modulus.