“High-solid acrylic resins based on bio-derived lauryl methacrylate for varnish and paint applications”

The popularity of acrylic resin in the paint and coating industry has grown in recent years due to its superior chemical resistance, durability, and flexibility. However, there is a notable research gap in formulating high-solid acrylic resins from bio-based materials to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improve sustainability. In this study, we developed two-component (2 K) acrylic resins based on bio-derived lauryl methacrylate (LMA) with 70% solid content and viscosity of up to 10 poises for durable coating applications for the first time. The acrylic copolymer resins were prepared by free radical polymerization using a low-toxicity solvent, n-butyl acetate. The resins were then mixed with aliphatic polyisocyanate to prepare the paint and varnish formulations. The results showed that higher OH levels increased the crosslink density and improved the hardness and hydrophobicity of the LMA-based resin. For …