A Study on the Polymer Blend Application Based on Natural Rubber Latex and Acrylic Resin as a Binder for Wall Paints

Abstract

The polymer blends based on natural rubber latex and acrylic resin were created in this study. It was then used as a paint binder. The blending ratios of natural rubber latex and acrylic resin ranged from 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30 (w/w), with the natural rubber latex being pre-vulcanized before being blended with acrylic resin. The investigation was monitored through the physical and mechanical properties of the blends. Highest tensile strength and elongation at break were found at the blending ratio at 30/70 (w/w) of natural rubber latex and acrylic resin. Some physical and mechanical properties as gel content and tensile property of pre-vulcanized natural rubber latex, acrylic resin and each polymer blends were also investigated. This may be attributed to the compatibility between elastic phase of the natural rubber and hard phase of acrylic resin. When adding higher ratio of natural rubber latex, the tensile strength and elongation at break dropped continuously, indicating inhomogeneity of these two phases. To confirm the compatibility of the blend at 30/70 (w/w), the gel content was also observed. Using a high-performance binder results in a paint with excellent adherence. In this work, a polymer blend of natural rubber and acrylic resin in an optimum ratio was employed as a binder for wall paints. Unlike other blending ratios, this mix totally dissolved in non-polar solvent. As a result, this blending ratio is highly recommended and suited for use as a paint binder.