Derived from sustainable raw materials (i.e. cellulose or chemical pulp from wood or cotton), it is considered one of the oldest synthetic polymers. Through esterification of cellulose using nitric acid and sulfuric acid, several grades of nitrocellulose can be produced. High nitrogen-containing grades (>12.6%) are used as gun cotton or explosives. Industrial grade nitrocellulose has nitrogen content between 10.7 – 12.3% and widely used as binder for inks and coatings. Industrial grade nitrocellulose can be further broken down into 3 main groups, the SS grade (A grade) having nitrogen content of 10.7 – 11.3%, RS grade (E grade) having nitrogen content of 11.8 – 12.3%, and AM grade with nitrogen content of 11.3 – 11.8%. SS grades, being alcohol-soluble, find their use mostly in inks and heat sealable coatings. RS grades, soluble in ester solvents, are the standard grade for coatings application (ex. wood and leather coatings). RS grades are more resistant to alcohol. AM grades properties are in between SS and RS grades and are not as widely used as the other two grades. All industrial grade nitrocellulose comes in different viscosities. Molecular weight dictates the viscosity of nitrocellulose, where high molecular weight means high viscosity and vice versa.

Alkyds are oil-modified polyester resins. An alkyd is the product of esterification reaction of polyhydric alcohol (ex. glycerol) and dibasic organic acid (ex. phthalicanhydride), where a portion of organic acid is replaced with bio-renewable sourced fatty acids from soya, linseed, sunflower, castor and coconut oils. Depending on the amount of oil, an alkyd can be short, medium, or long oil form. Films of long-oil alkyds are the most flexible. The type of modifying oil also dictates if an alkyd is drying or non-drying. Soya and linseed are the most commonly used oil for drying alkyds. Drying and curing mechanism of a drying alkyd involves evaporation of carrier solvent and oxidative crosslinking catalyzed by a metal complex such as cobalt, manganese, calcium and zirconium salts. Because of oxidative cure, drying alkyds have the tendency to yellow. Castor and coconut oils are examples of modifiers for non-drying alkyds. They are used mainly for plasticizing other film formers like nitrocellulose. Enamels for various substrates are the main application for alkyd polymers. They can be the sole binder or as a modifier for other binders. Bake enamels can also be formulated using short-oil alkyd (drying or non-drying) and an aminoplast (UF or MF polymer) and has found its use in OEM application where fast curing is required. Properties of alkyds can be further altered by using other modifiers such as Vinyl Toluene (VT) and isocyanate (urethane).

One of the technologies that has the widest range of application. Acrylic polymers come in solid form (beads), solvent-based and water-based liquid form (latex/emulsion). Acrylic polymers are made by free radical polymerization of one or more types of acrylate ester or methacrylate ester monomers. Homopolymers have only one repeating unit (one type of monomer), copolymers have 2 different repeating units and terpolymers have 3 different repeating units. Acrylics can range from very soft and tacky to hard and brittle depending on the composition of monomers used in the polymerization process. Each monomer is characterized by their glass transition temperature (Tg), which is the temperature at which an amorphous polymer can be transformed between hard/glassy state and soft/rubbery state. The final polymer Tg is dependent on type and ratio of individual monomers used. Higher Tg means film formed will be harder but may need to have a plasticizer or coalescing solvent to aid in film formation especially if Tg is higher than ambient temperature. Lower Tg polymers means they are able to film form without any external aid, so much so that polymers with sub zero Tg can remain tacky even at extremely low temperatures. Monomers commonly used are methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), butyl acrylate (BA), 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate (2-EHA), ethyl acrylate (EA), acrylic acid (AA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Methyl methacrylate (Tg=105°C) is the monomer of choice for various applications due to its hardness. Acrylics have excellent UV light, heat, ozone, chemical, water and ageing resistance. Another high Tg monomer commonly used is styrene (Tg=100°C), in conjunction with other acrylate monomers, if good water-barrier properties are required and slight yellowing can be tolerated. Applications of acrylics are vast. Examples are extruded and molded plastic parts for various end application, paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants for a wide range of substrates. Majority of acrylics are thermoplastic except for acrylic polyol which becomes a thermoset when reacted with anisocyanate forming highly cross linked polyurethane. Thermoplastics melt under heat and hardens when cooled, whereas thermosets retain their shape and stay solid under heat.

Vinyls are thermoplastic copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate (VC copolymers). Grades come in different ratios of these two monomers. Some  grafted organic acid to improve adhesion to metals. VC copolymers have good toughness, permanent flexibility, abrasion resistance, low swelling in water and low gas permeability. They also show excellent resistance to oil, grease, alkalis, and dilute aqueous acids. VC copolymers are soluble in organic solvents such as ketones and esters. They are usually supplied as a white powder. Their main use is as binder for surface coatings and printing inks for a multitude of substrates like wood, metals, and plastics. Most VC copolymers have clearance under FDA 21 CFR 175.300, which make them suitable as heat seal coatings for food packaging.

SBCs are thermoplastic elastomers with rubber-like elasticity but can be molded or shaped like a thermoplastic material. These elastomers have a hard segment (styrene) and a soft segment (butadiene/isoprene) and have various block configurations like diblock, linear triblock, and branched. An example of diblock SBC is SBR, or styrene-butadiene rubber. SBR is mainly used as adhesive, whether on its own or as modifier for other chemistries. Linear triblocks have a wide array of grades and hardness. Two of the most common linear triblocks are SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) and SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene). By nature, SIS elastomer is softer than SBS. Primary use of SBS is asphalt modification making it a popular choice for paving and roofing applications. Other applications of linear triblock SBCs are adhesive formulations like solvent-based PSAs (Pressure Sensitive Adhesives), hot melt PSAs, sealants and coatings. Hydrogenated grades, like SEBS and SEPS, are also available for applications that require higher service temperature, better UV resistance, ozone resistance and colour stability such as outdoor use. Other SBCs are also used in flexible films, food and medical packaging, consumer goods and elastic nonwovens.

PCR, or known by its trade name Neoprene, a DuPont product, was the first commercial synthetic elastomer/rubber. Polychloroprene rubber is made from a diene monomer called chloroprene. PCR has a good balance of mechanical properties and physical properties making it a high-performance multipurpose elastomer. It is resistant to oil, grease, wax, ozone, weathering, oxidation and water. It has an inherent good resistance to flame due to the presence of halogen (chlorine). PCR also withstand temperatures from -50 to 120°C. For many years, it was the material of choice for exterior applications such as profiles used in automotive industry, building seals and cables. PCR is widely used as contact adhesive (contact cement) as it exhibits auto-adhesion upon contact when partially dried surfaces are bonded together with minimal pressure. For this reason, PCR contact cements have good green strength but repositioning is not possible. When compounded with tackifiers and reactive phenolics, resulting contact cement has high-temperature resistance, high creep resistance and excellent adhesion properties over a wide range of substrates including wood, rubber, leather, fabric, metals, and plastic laminates. Cross linked density of PCRs can be improved by introduction of metal oxides (MgO, ZnO) to react with chlorine atoms in the elastomeric chain. PCRs are soluble in aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene) and mixtures with ketone (MEK), chlorinated solvents, esters and aliphatic solvents. PCRs are supplied in chip form. But recent advancement hasalso been focused on water-base polychloroprene dispersions to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Like traditional polyurethanes, TPU is made from reacting a polyol and an isocyanate, but in this case, polyol reactant is in excess so there is no unreacted isocyanate (-NCO) left, which could otherwise pose a handling and safety concern. It is a block copolymer that bridges the gap between rubber and plastics. It can vary from soft as rubber to hard as rigid plastic depending on amount of soft segment (polyol) and hard segment (polyurethane). TPUs can be compounded as transparent or colored material. It is a popular choice for a wide variety of applications such as molded parts, footwear, wire and cable, films, sheets and solvent-base adhesives. TPU solvent-base adhesive can be used for both wet-bonding and dry-bonding. TPU-based contact cement can replace PCR based contact cement where clarity of bond line is required. TPUs come in solid (prill) form.

This resin requires a co-reactant or hardener to form a highly cross-linked polymer (thermoset). Epoxy resins’ common hardeners are amines. Its cross-linking polymerization is an exothermic reaction, which can be detrimental if not controlled. This cross-linking mechanism is what gives its durability, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, water resistance, adhesion and versatility of use. Epoxies are considered high-performance polymers for coatings and adhesive application.

ABS is a thermoplastic homopolymer of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). It is available in rigid or flexible forms. Rigid PVC is used in windows, doors, construction of pipes, plastic bottles and packaging. Plasticizer is usually added to make softer and flexible PVC which find it’s use in plumbing, flooring, electrical cable insulation, inflatable products and other rubber substitutes. PVC pipes and fittings are used extensively in the plumbing sector for pressure applications to transport potable water, waste, and fluids in residential and commercial buildings. They are also used in drainage systems, ventilation, electrical conduits, fire sprinkles, chemical handling and water supply systems. Service temperature can be up to 60°C (140°F). 

PVC is a thermoplastic homopolymer of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). It is available in rigid or flexible forms. Rigid PVC is used in windows, doors, construction of pipes, plastic bottles and packaging. Plasticizer is usually added to make softer and flexible PVC which find it’s use in plumbing, flooring, electrical cable insulation, inflatable products and other rubber substitute. PVC pipes and fittings are used extensively in the plumbing sector for pressure applications to transport potable water, waste, and fluids in residential and commercial buildings. They are also used in drainage systems, ventilation, electrical conduits, fire sprinkles, chemical handling and water supply systems. Service temperature can be up to 60°C (140°F).

A chlorinated version of PVC but more flexible and can also be use at a higher service temperature up to 93°C (200°F). That is why they are widely used in residential and commercial water piping system. Just like PVC, they are used in pressure applications.

Other than acrylic emulsions, emulsions such as polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) are also used in coatings and adhesive industry. PVAc and EVA are characterized by their rubber-like softness which is very useful for adhesive application. Properly formulated paints or coatings do not need an external coalescing solvent in order to film form.

Butyl Rubber  an elastomeric copolymer of isobutylene and a small amount of isoprene. It is widely used in adhesives and sealants where they can be the primary binder or can modify other binders. It has good resistance to gas permeability, water, chemicals and excellent ageing characteristics. BR has poor resistance to oils and is considered a low strength material. Its thermal properties can be improved by chemical cross-linking.

A high performance polymer that provides excellent corrosion resistance to broad range of chemicals, acids, alkalis and salt solutions. It is also known for its excellent mechanical strength which provides toughness and fatigue resistance. Vinyl esters undergo exothermic reaction when catalyzed by peroxide forming a highly cross-linked density. They are widely used in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) industry.  

CABs are thermoplastic polymers based on cellulose ester having acetate and butyrate functionalities. They have improved weathering and moisture resistance compared to cellulose acetate. They are widely used as binders and co-binders in coatings industry for various substrates like wood, plastics, textile, and metal.

Synthetic polymer produced from styrene and maleic anhydride monomers. SMA has high clarity, heat resistance and dimensional stability. It is used to improve the heat resistance of other plastics like ABS or PVC. Because of its anhydride group, it can be dissolved in alkaline water forming a clear solution for applications such as paper sizing, dispersant and binders or co-binders for coatings and adhesives.

These are plant-based polymers used as labelling adhesives in the paper industry.Dextrin is a derivative of starch and starches come in a wide range of chemical substitutions and sources. Corn, tapioca and potato are some of the economical sources of starch.