ALKYD RESIN

The Uses of ALKYD RESIN

Alkyd resins are used as vehicles in exterior house paints, marine paints, and baking enamels. Molded alkyd resins are used for electrical components, distributor caps, encapsulation, and a variety of similar applications.

Definition

A thermosetting coating polymer, chemically similar to polyester resins, conventionally made by condensation and polymerization of a dihydric or polyhydric alcohol (ethylene glycol or glycerol) and a polybasic acid (phthalic anhydride), usually with a drying oil modifier. The process requires heating at 230–250C for up to 12 hours. A new and quite different method utilizes epoxy addition polymerization, in which a mixture of glycidyl esters and organic acid anhydrides is heated with a metallic catalyst at 100C or less for only 2–4 hours. Cost and energy savings and improved application performance are realized by this process.