Monobenzoate useful as a plasticizer/coalescent in polymeric dispersions

Abstract

A unique monobenzoate useful as a plasticizer or coalescent for polymeric dispersions, including without limitation architectural and other coatings, paints, OEM coatings, special purpose coatings, overprint varnishes, inks, nail polish, floor polishes and the like. The monobenzoate comprises 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, a benzoate ester previously known as a flavoring and fragrance agent, but not previously utilized as a plasticizer or coalescent in polymeric applications. The inventive monobenzoate provides a suitable non-phthalate, lower VOC content alternative plasticizer or coalescent that is compatible with a wide variety of polymers. Depending on the application, the advantages rendered by the use of the inventive monobenzoate include, among other things, excellent solvating properties, viscosity stability, improved rheology, good film formation and comparable or better gloss, hardness, adhesion, water and alkali resistance, scrub and rub resistance, block resistance, color density, dry to touch time, open time, and MFFT, compared with that achieved by traditional plasticizers or coalescents.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A polymer-based coating composition comprising a plasticizer that is 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, wherein the 3-phenyl propyl benzoate imparts comparable or better film formation, gloss, hardness, water resistance, block resistance, and scrub resistance as compared to that obtained with a traditional plasticizer/coalescent. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer-based coating composition is an acrylic paint formulation. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A polymer-based coating composition, comprising a polymeric dispersion and a low VOC coalescent that is 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, wherein the coating composition is a waterborne or non-aqueous overprint varnish, a waterborne or non-aqueous ink composition, or a nail polish. 
     
     
         6 . The overprint varnish composition of  claim 5 , wherein the 3 phenyl propyl benzoate is present in amounts ranging from about 2% to about 8% wet. 
     
     
         7 . The overprint varnish composition as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric dispersion comprises a styrenated acrylic polymer. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The waterborne ink composition of  claim 5  further comprising
 a pigment, and 
 wherein the coalescent is present in amounts ranging from about 2% to about 8% wet. 
 
     
     
         10 . The waterborne ink composition as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric dispersion comprises a styrenated acrylic polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A plasticizer/coalescent for use in waterborne polymer compositions containing polyvinyl acetates, vinyl acetate ethylene, vinyl acrylates, methacrylates, styrene acrylates, polyurethanes, vinyl chloride co- and ter-polymers, vinyl esters of versatic acid, or mixtures thereof, comprising: 3-phenyl propyl benzoate. 
     
     
         12 . A plasticizer/coalescent for use in non-aqueous based polymer compositions containing acrylics, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate ethylene, methacrylates, styrene acrylates, epoxies, polyamides, nitrocellulose, vinyl chloride or mixtures thereof, comprising: 3-phenyl propyl benzoate. 
     
     
         13 . A blend of plasticizers/coalescents for use in polymeric coatings comprising 3-PPB combined with phthalates up to C5, terephthalates up to C4, phosphate esters, polyesters, citrates, isobutyrates, sulfonamides, sulfonic acid esters, epoxy plasticizers, benzoate esters or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A blend of plasticizers/coalescents for use in polymeric coating compositions comprising 3-PPB combined with solid plasticizers that are sucrose benzoate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, triphenyl phosphate, glycerol tribenzoate, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM) dibenzoate, pentaerythritol tetrabenzoate, alkyl glycol esters, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of improving the film formation properties of paints, overprint varnishes, inks and other polymer-based coatings, comprising the step of adding 3-phenyl propyl benzoate alone or in combination with other plasticizers.