Airflex 426 carboxylated vinyl acetate-ethylene terpolymer Air Products Ethylene copolymers - emulsions (VAE, EVC) >> Vinyl Acetate Ethylene copolymers, VAE Airflex 426 emulsion is a high-solids, carboxylated vinyl acetate-ethylene terpolymer emulsion that is produced with a unique process. The presence of carboxyl groups provides excellent adhesion to metals, plastic films and a variety of difficult-tobond substrates. Airflex 426 emulsion can be used in heat-seal applications for metals such as aluminum and for plastic adherends. The carboxyl functionality also allows the resin to be crosslinked with a variety of compounds and causes the emulsion to thicken with alkalies. Dried films of Airflex 426 emulsion can be dissolved with water at a pH of approximately 9.5. The unique processing technique used in the production of Airflex 426 emulsion results in a material that has high solids combined with useful low viscosity, better adhesion to many substrates, and the ability to accept high filler loading and maintain useful viscosities. The emulsion will not thicken excessively on the addition of plasticizers or solvents, allowing for the formulating of very high-solids adhesives. Airflex 426 emulsion has high wet tack, rapid setting speed and excellent mechanical stability, which allow it to be used in packaging applications, especially those involving difficult-to-bond substrates. Compounding Airflex 426 emulsion can accept common plasticizers that are usually used with Airflex 400 emulsion and similar products. It will not thicken appreciably upon plasticizer addition, which is a useful property where high solids and moderate viscosities are required. The emulsion will accept high loadings of clay, calcium carbonate and other fillers. It can be compounded with fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions to provide highly water-resistant films. The heat resistance of Airflex 426 emulsion is high and additional PVOH will further enhance that property. Where higher viscosities are necessary, either typical water-soluble polymers or various alkalies may be used to thicken the emulsion. The alkali method is effective only to a pH of 6.5 and may decrease adhesion because of reaction with carboxyl groups if nonvolatile alkalies are used. Applications: Airflex 426 emulsion is commonly used in metalbonding applications, insulation-manufacturing applications, and in a variety of packaging and laminating applications. The carboxyl groups present in Airflex 426 emulsion increase adhesion to metal surfaces such as aluminum, mild and galvanized steel, brass, lead, and tin plate. The carboxyl groups also improve adhesion to metallized films and other films such as Mylar, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate and proprionate, and PVC. These films may be coated, dried and heat sealed to a variety of surfaces. Suggested applications for Airflex 426 emulsion include composite cans and foil wraps, wall coverings, highly inked and varnished surfaces, bottle labeling, and bonds of aluminum to wood, paper or fiberglass. The dried film of the emulsion is soluble in water at a pH of 9.5, resulting in films that can be cleaned from application equipment without the use of solvents or strong cleaners. The films will repulp in alkaline conditions. High solids VAE emulsion carboxylated vinyl acetate-ethylene terpolymer emulsion with polyvinyl alcohol stabilization. Provides good adhesion to metals, plastic films and a variety of difficult-to bond substrates. Can be used in heat-seal applications for metals (aluminum)and for plastic adherends. Thickens with alkalies. Dried films can be dissolved with water at a pH of approximately 9.5. Provides high water resistance, good adhesion to glass, clear film, slight dry tack, good flexibility. Adheres to metal surfaces (aluminum, mild andgalvanized steel, brass, lead, and tin plate), to metallized films and other films (Mylar, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate and proprionate, and PVC).