Synthesis and application of a novel epoxy grafted thermosetting acrylic resin

A novel manufacturing process for high performance metallic can coating was carried out based on an epoxy‐grafted acrylic resin. Firstly, the epoxy resin was reacted with acrylic amide forming a ring opened product epoxy‐amide resin, and then the product obtained copolymerized with all other monomers, such as acrylic acid (AA), butyl acrylate (BA), hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA), 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (2‐EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), using free radical solvent polymerization in the presence of BPO. The resins prepared present the transparent appearance, and the target resin coating based on these resins exhibits excellent boiling resistance and chemicals resistance and can be applied as the protective coating for metallic can. The effects on the coating properties, such as amount of acrylic acid, 2‐EHA wt % between 2‐EHA and BA, amount of amino resin, amount of catalyst, and so forth, were investigated. In addition, the influences of polymerization time on the conversion ratio of monomers were also studied. Results show that under the optimal conditions, the target resin coating provides excellent physical and mechanical properties. The various properties tests for this coating have been performed in accordance with the standards of ASTM. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008