Polyvinyl acetate
The synthesis and patenting of
vinyl acetate monomer by Dr Fritz Klatte in 1913,
in Germany, provided the foundation for many
valuable and now essential plastic products.
He found that the catalysed reaction of acetylene
with acetic acid gave a readily polymerised low
boiling liquid (vinyl acetate) to yield a
potential range of dense solid materials.
These are now often denoted as (PVAc) or (PVA)
polymers.
Klatte and others found that PVA was
compatible with other polymers and plasticisers
which could give valuable adhesives and coatings
for cellulose and textile products. From c.1930
many companies manufactured a range of products
such as PVA for liquid solutions and emulsions
and hot melt adhesives and paints.
PVA is not an ideal moulding plastic so the
development of many economic and attractive
alternatives rapidly ensued based on the ability
of vinyl acetate to co-polymerise with many other
monomers. Hence, co-polymers with vinyl
chloride, acrylic monomers, styrene, ethylene and
others gave a great range of moulding, coating,
sheeting, adhesives, insulating materials, etc.
Hydrolysed versions of PVA gave polyvinyl
alcohol as a water-soluble coating and binder.
The polyacetal derivatives of these have provided
superior bonding and electrical insulation with
good stability.
Emulsion paint and adhesive sticks, so readily
accepted, are simple examples of these truly
outstanding contributions to modern life.
|