Polyvinyl acetate

PVAC bubble lamp
MFA# 2009.4954

Description

A colorless, nontoxic thermoplastic resin prepared by the polymerization of vinyl acetate. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAC or PVAc) was discovered in 1912 by Dr. Fritz Klatte in Germany. It is one of the most widely used water-dispersed resins. Polyvinyl acetate water-based emulsions are applied as a liquid, then hardens to a solid when the water evaporates or or is absorbed into a substrate. PVAC resins produce clear, hard films that have good weather resistance and withstand water, grease, oil, and petroleum fuels. Additional properties are high initial tack, almost invisible bond line, softening at 30-45C, good biodegradation resistance, poor resistance to creep under load, and low cost. PVAC can be further reacted to form the water-soluble polymer Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

Polyvinyl acetate solution

Synonyms and Related Terms

FTIR

PVAC; PVAc; PVA (incorrect but commonly used); poly(vinyl acetate); polyvinylacetate; poli(acetato de vinilo) (Esp.); acétate de polyvinyle (Fr.); polivinil acetato (It.); poliacetato de vinilo (Port.); vinyl emulsion; vinyl acetate plastic

Examples: Vinamul [Vinyl Products]; AYAT [Union Carbide]; Elmers® Glue-All [Borden]; Duratite White Glue [DAP]; Gelva® [Solutia]; Rivit Glue; Resin W; Polymer Tempera [Borden]; Vinavyl; Everflex BG [W.R.Grace & Co.]; Polyco [DAP]; Vinnapas [Wacker]; Mowilith [Hoechst]; polyvinylacetat (Deut.)

Applications

• Latex house paints, artists' media (since 1945)
• Common household water-based white glues
• Hot-melt adhesives, sealants, fabric finishing, plastic wood, and inks.

Personal Risks

The polymer is considered stable but ombustible. The pH of aqueous emulsions is usually acidic. The monomer is flammable and reactive.

Fisher Scientific: MSDS

Collection Risks

May release Acetic acid on curing, aging and deterioration. Susceptible to hydrolysis which can increase the amount of acid released as well as interfere with the adhesive function of the material. The amounts of acid released are variable and depend on the formulation.

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Soluble in benzene, chloroform, methanol, acetone, butyl acetate.
• Insoluble in ligroin, diethyl ether, butanol, turpentine, water, oils.
• Can absorb 3-5% water when immersed for 16 hours at 60 C.
• Burns with a dark yellow flame that smells of acetic acid.
• Composition : [-CH2CH(OOCCH3)-]n
• CAS : 9003-20-7
• Melting Point (Tg) = 30-45
• Density = 1.17-1.20
• Refractive Index = 1.46-1.47

Comparisons

General Characteristics of Polymers

Physical Properties for Selected Thermoplastic Resins

Resources and Citations

• Contributions: Catherine Stephens, AIC Plastics Panel, 2020.

• A.E.Corey, P.M.Draghetti, J.Fantl, "Polyvinyl Acetate Emulsions and Polyvinyl Alcohol for Adhesives" in Handbook of Adhesives, I.Skeist (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1977, p.465-483.

• R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 849

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_acetate (Accessed Jan.6 2006)

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983

• Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Jo Crook, Tom Learner, Modern Paints, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 2000 Comment: First paint marketed in 1945 - Polymer Tempera by Borden

• Book and Paper Group, Paper Conservation Catalog, AIC, 1984, 1989

• Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000

• Website address 1 Comment: www.nswpmith.com.au/historyofplastics.html .. vinyl acetate was discovered in Germany by Dr. Fritz Klatte in 1912 with patents for its preparation