Synthesis and characterization of modified cottonseed oil based polyesteramide for coating applications

Cottonseed oil fatty amide (CFA) was prepared in the laboratory by base catalyzed aminolysis of cottonseed oil. Further it was reacted with phthalic acid to obtain polyesteramide (CPEA) and modified by post reacting with vinyl acetate monomer in varying ratios of 4:1, 3:1 and 2:1 in the presence of t-butyl hydroperoxide as an initiator. The incorporation of vinyl acetate in CPEA was analyzed using FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral techniques. The physico-chemical properties such as iodine value, specific gravity and refractive index were determined by standard laboratory test methods. Mechanical, chemical resistance and other coating properties of the coatings synthesized from CPEA and modified CPEA applied on mild steel substrates were also studied by standard methods. Thermal stability and curing behavior of modified CPEA were determined by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques. It was observed that modification of polyesteramide improved the curing, mechanical and chemical performance of CPEA films. It was found that among the CPEA:vinyl acetate ratios, 2:1 ratio exhibited the best results.