Coating compositions containing low voc compounds

Abstract

Coating compositions containing coalescents and a latex polymer, wherein the coalescent has a volatile organic content of less than about 50% and is dispersible in the coating composition.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A low-VOC paint, comprising:
 water;   a latex polymer comprising a surfactant and polymer particles comprising a homopolymer or copolymer including at least one of an acrylate or a methacrylate;   a pigment; and   a coalescent having the formula:
   R 1 —(C(O)—O)—R 2  
 
   wherein:
 R 1  is an aromatic group having 3 to 24 carbon atoms:—and 
 R 2  is a hydrocarbyl moiety having 3 to 24 carbon atoms; 
 with the proviso that R 1  and R 2  together do not include any aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds; 
   wherein the coalescent has a volatile organic content of no greater than 50 wt-%;   wherein the total VOC in the paint is no greater than 5 grams per 100 grams polymer solids; and   wherein the paint contains sufficient TiO 2  pigment to be substantially visually opaque when applied at a thickness of 3 mils (0.0762 mm) and dried.   
     
     
         22 . The paint of  claim 21  wherein the coalescent is nonreactive in the paint, and is dispersible in the paint to form a uniform mixture. 
     
     
         23 . The paint of  claim 21  wherein the paint forms a coalesced film at a temperature of about 4° C. to about 10° C. 
     
     
         24 . The paint of  claim 21  wherein the coalescent has a volatile organic content of no greater than about 30 wt-%. 
     
     
         25 . The paint of  claim 21  comprising a mixture of coalescents, wherein the mixture has a volatile organic content of no greater than about 50 wt-%, and wherein at least one of the coalescents is nonreactive in the paint, has a volatile organic content of no greater than 15 wt-%, is dispersible in the paint to form a uniform mixture, and has the recited formula; wherein the mixture of coalescents is selected to facilitate, and used in an amount that facilitates, the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of less than about 25° C. 
     
     
         26 . The paint of  claim 21  wherein the coalescent is used in an amount less than 2 wt-%, based on polymer solids, but which facilitates the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of less than about 25° C. 
     
     
         27 . A low-VOC paint, comprising:
 water;   a pigment;   a latex polymer comprising a surfactant and polymer particles emulsified or suspended in an aqueous medium, wherein the polymer particles comprise a homopolymer or copolymer including at least one of an acrylate or a methacrylate; and   a coalescent having the formula:
   R 1 —(C(O)—X r —O) n —R 2  
 
   wherein:
 R 1  is an organic group having at least 3 and less than 100 carbon atoms: 
 X is a divalent organic group; 
 r is 0 or 1; 
 n is 1 to 10; and 
 R 2  is hydrogen or an organic group having at least 3 and less than 100 carbon atoms; 
   wherein the total VOC in the paint is no greater than 5 grams per 100 grams polymer solids; and   wherein the paint contains sufficient TiO 2  pigment to be substantially visually opaque when applied at a thickness of 3 mils (0.0762 mm) and dried.   
     
     
         28 . The paint of  claim 27  wherein the coalescent has a volatile organic content of no greater than 5 wt-%, is nonreactive in the paint, and is dispersible in the paint to form a uniform mixture. 
     
     
         29 . The paint of  claim 27  wherein the coalescent is selected to facilitate, and used in an amount that facilitates, the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of less than 25° C. 
     
     
         30 . The paint of  claim 29  wherein the coalescent is selected to facilitate, and used in an amount that facilitates, the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of 4° C. to 10° C. 
     
     
         31 . The paint of  claim 29  wherein the total VOC in the paint is no greater than 2 grams per 100 grams polymer solids. 
     
     
         32 . The paint of  claim 27  wherein the coalescent is used in an amount less than 2 wt-%, based on polymer solids, but which facilitates the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of less than about 25° C. 
     
     
         33 . A low-VOC paint, comprising:
 water;   a pigment;   a latex polymer comprising a surfactant and polymer particles emulsified or suspended in an aqueous medium, wherein the polymer particles comprise a homopolymer or copolymer including at least one of an acrylate or a methacrylate; and   a mixture of coalescents, wherein the mixture has a volatile organic content of no greater than 15 wt-%, and wherein at least one of the coalescents is nonreactive in the paint, is dispersible in the paint to form a uniform mixture, and has the formula:
   R 1 —(C(O)—X r —O) n —R 2  
 
   wherein:
 R 1  is an organic group having at least 3 and less than 100 carbon atoms, wherein the organic group is an aliphatic group, alicyclic group, heterocyclic group, or combinations thereof: 
 X is a divalent organic group; 
 r is 1; 
 n is 1; and 
 R 2  is hydrogen or an organic group having at least 3 and less than 100 carbon atoms; 
 with the proviso that R 1  and R 2  together do not include any aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds; 
   wherein the total VOC in the paint is no greater than 5 grams per 100 grams polymer solids; and   wherein the paint contains sufficient TiO 2  pigment to be substantially visually opaque when applied at a thickness of 3 mils (0.0762 mm) and dried.   
     
     
         34 . The paint of  claim 33  wherein the coalescent is used in an amount less than 2 wt-%, based on polymer solids, but which facilitates the formation of a polymer film of the latex polymer at a temperature of less than about 25° C.