Characteristics
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Resin
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Dispersion
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Emulsion
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Essential state
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"Fuel core polymer" for solid/high-viscosity liquids
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The polymer particles are small, highly dispersed, and stably suspended in water.
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The polymer droplets are relatively large and require emulsifiers to encapsulate and stabilize them in water.
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Particle size range
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0.01 - 0.5 micrometers (nanometers/submicrometers)
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0.1 - 10 micrometers
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Appearance
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Solids or viscous liquids (non-water soluble / dispersible)
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Translucent, blue light, slightly milky white
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Milky white and opaque
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Stability mechanism
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Ionic/nonionic self-stabilizing (relying on hydrophilic groups on the molecular chain, requiring little or no emulsifiers).
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Relying on the addition of large amounts of surfactants/emulsifiers
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Film forming properties
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Films need to be dissolved in a solvent or converted into a water-based system to form.
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The film is dense, smooth, high-gloss, and exhibits excellent water resistance, chemical resistance, and mechanical properties.
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There may be surfactant residue, which may affect water resistance/chemical resistance/gloss/transparency.
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Environmental protection
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Oil-based resins contain VOCs, while water-based resins can be further formulated into water-based systems.
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Extremely low or no VOCs, the most environmentally friendly
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Relatively low in VOCs (but contains emulsifiers)
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Main advantages
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The starting point of performance design
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High performance and environmental friendliness combined (green first choice)
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Relatively low cost, easy to produce, and quick to dry.
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Main limitations
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Water-based systems typically require solvent dissolution or complex processes to be formulated.
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Relatively high cost (high technical content)
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Performance is limited (due to emulsifier residue).
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Typical Representative
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PU prepolymer (solid PU granules/blocks/solution)
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Waterborne polyurethane dispersion
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Acrylic emulsions, styrene-acrylic emulsions, and some low-end modified PU emulsions
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