subject: Oxazolidines – An Effective Reactive Diluent [print this page] Oxazolidines An Effective Reactive Diluent
Recent technological advancements have made a significant effect on the solvent-borne industrial coatings market. There have been numerous advancements taken place in water based coatings technology, which has not expanded from consumer house paint market into industrial segments. Moreover, the tight VOC regulations have led to the development of a more viable water based alternative to solvent borne technology. Still some restrictions exist especially with the key properties of chemical and abrasion resistance in coating performance.
The technology not only hit the water based technology but also the segment of high solids coatings. These advancements are generally implemented with lower molecular weight components to achieve the least possible viscosity with the minimum use of solvent. However, there is point limit to molecular weight reduction, as it can lead to issues related with loss of coating performance. For instance, the 2-pack polyurethane coatings market has seen this change. Usually, these systems are comprises of an acrylic polyol and an HDI-based polyisocyanate. These form polyurethanes possessing unique performance qualities including outstanding chemical resistance. There a single solution to maintain the coating benefits of solvented systems, whilst reducing the VOC, is to add in a reactive diluent.
Incozol is a low viscosity bi-oxazolidine reactive diluent developed as a co-reactant in polyurethane coatings to achieve low VOC. It is consists of two oxazolidine rings linked by a carbonate bridge, which maintains low viscosity by limiting intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
There are numerous benefits of a reactive diluent. It has good polyol and solvent compatibility. It poses low intrinsic viscosity 50 mPas@20C. It has reasonably high equivalent weight. It is of low color which is necessary for clear lacquer finishing. There is no adverse effect on the coating properties including film hardness development and resistance, gloss and weathering properties. The applications include low VOC paints and varnishes, high build paints and elastomers.
Incorez is also a global leader in polyurethane coatings, as well as 1K pu sealants, where they operate as moisture scavengers, reactive diluent and latent curing agents.
