Preferred partitioning: the influence of coalescents on the build-up of mechanical properties in acrylic core–shell particles (I)

The partitioning of three coalescents of different polarity in different phases of multiphase acrylic particles was studied to provide a rationale for obtaining the desired performance of binders for wood coatings in terms of the ideal balance between hardness development, blocking resistance, and blushing resistance. Minimum film formation temperature- and aqueous differential scanning calorimetry-measurements on the hard phase polymer by itself showed the different extents to which both hydroplasticization and plasticization by the coalescent occur. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was subsequently used to visualize wet-T g effects of three different coalescents in the hard and soft polymer phase of these multiphase acrylic particles. The results have important consequences for the formulation of such binders in applications for exterior wood coatings and coatings in general.