SYNTHESIS & CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER SOLUBLE VINYL ACETATE – ACRYLAMIDE – STYRENE TERPOLYMER

Plastic Engineering

Acryl Amide is often, copolymerized with Acetate to induce high water solubility for Re-Moistuable Adhesive and Easy Disposable Packaging Applications. Though, highly water soluble, it has comparatively poor strength, poor clarity and high cost. In some cases, the high water solubility itself prevents any possible practical applications. So in this present study, the vinyl Acetate was terpolymerized with Acryl Amide and Styrene monomers, in 3 different comparisons, viz. (95%VA-5%AA)-5%, (95%VA-5%AA)-10% STY, (95%VA-5%AA)-15% STY by weight of Vinyl Acetate, through Delayed Emulsion polymerization technique, to impart a comparatively high strength, clarity at a low cost and a controlled water resistance, thus improving applicability. The casted terpolymer films were initially characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Later, Tensile properties-strength, Elongation at break; Optical properties-Haze, Luminous transmittance, Opacity; Thermal Property-melting point were determined through ASTM standards. Finally, to assess the applicability of the terpolymer, Water Solubility and Peel strength was determined through standard testing methods. The results indicated that the copolymer composition containing 10% styrene had the most optimum properties with regard to Re-moistuable Adhesive Applications. Easy Disposable packaging could be another potential avenue for the above synthesized terpolymer.

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