Cycloaliphatic epoxide crosslinkable core-shell latexes: A new strategy for waterborne epoxide coatings

New core-shell acrylic latexes designed for crosslinking with cycloaliphati c diepoxides were prepared. The core consisted of methyl methacrylate (MMA) , butyl acrylate (BA), 2-hydroxymethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and the shell M MA, BA, and methacrylic acid (MAA). A strong acid acrylate was incorporated ino the shell to catalyze the crosslinking reactions. The diepoxide crossl inker was introduced into the latex formulation via three methods: (1) adde d with the monomers during the polymerization of the latex, (2) added after the preparation of the latex in an organic solvent, and (3) added as a sep arate emulsion. The stability of epoxide was shown be dependent on latex mo rphology, initiator system, and reaction conditions.