Modelling the dynamic development of the curing process and film morphology of films cast from waterborne acrylic-alkyd hybrids

Abstract The drying of waterborne acrylic-alkyd hybrids is a complicated process, involving both curing of the alkyd phase and evolution of the overall morphology of the film. Understanding this drying process is of great importance in practical application of these hybrids, where the physical properties of the film are dictated by the film microstructure. Here, a mathematical model for the curing of coatings cast from acrylic-alkyd hybrid waterborne dispersions is developed. The model provides the dynamic development of the crosslinking density through the film. Furthermore, it also provides the evolution of the morphology of the coating in term of the size distribution of alkyd domains. The model is compared with experimental data from literature and used to predict the effect of variables such as primary catalyst concentration and acrylic polymer content on curing.