Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)

Discover the right polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) for your application

Synthomer supplies an extensive portfolio of polyvinyl acetate, homopolymers and co-polymers. Our polyvinyl acetate homopolymers and acid copolymers are thermoplastic solids supplied in a variety of molecular weights. These versatile polymers are typically used as binders or additives delivering improved performance properties in many applications such as:

We produce a range of polyvinyl acetate homopolymers and copolymers for use as low-profile additives (LPAs) in polyester resin moulding. These thermoplastic polymers provide effective control of resin shrinkage during cure, achieving Class A surfaces in SMC and excellent dimensional stability in BMC and pultrusion.

Pultrusion is a high-volume process used for the production of continuous composite profiles such as rods, frames and tubes where dimensional stability and surface finish are important. Low to medium molecular weight PVAc homopolymer grades are used, with M30, M40 and M45, providing a range of solution viscosities for excellent resin flow and reinforcement wetting.

In highly filled bulk moulding compounds (BMC) Synthomer grades M40, M45 and M50 give medium viscosity solutions for easy compound addition and efficient low-profile properties. BMC for headlamps, electrical boxes and appliances are some typical applications where these LPAs will provide benefits.

Sheet moulding compound (SMC) formulations require a high-performance LPA system. The PVAc can be selected to not only achieve excellent surface quality but also controlled thickening of the resin sheet during maturation. Many SMC-produced components need a zero-shrink performance to meet the exacting requirements of Class A surfaces demanded in automotive and truck panels.

H302 is a carboxylated PVAc widely used for formulation in all types of SMC. On some SMC machines where a separate B side addition is made to carry pigment into the SMC resin, homopolymer grades M45 or M50 can be used to provide stable solution viscosity for pigment suspension. Where a lower viscosity solution is required, H301 is a lower molecular weight carboxylated PVAc which can be used alone or in combination with H302.

Resin transfer moulding (RTM) or vacuum infusion are low-pressure injection systems which use simpler tooling for shorter production runs. Low molecular weight products such as M30 and H301 can be used to achieve shrink control in tooling resins, boat hulls and panels. H356 is a specialised PVAc copolymer designed for RTM, offering excellent shrink control across a wide temperature range.

The polymer overcomes variable performance issues caused by:

No external mould heating
Variable resin thickness and exotherm
Intricate mould design.

Synthomer M grade PVAc homopolymers are an excellent polymer base for solvent based adhesives. They deliver excellent adhesion, penetration and drying properties for a wide range of substrates including paper, wood, metal and many plastics.

MCT5 combines the benefits of a carboxylic acid group as a reactive site with a thermoplastic backbone. This product has the added advantage that it can be delivered to the point of use either as a solid, an aqueous solution, a low VOC-containing solution or as a solvent-based system.

The cross-linking reactions that are possible with MCT5 can be exploited by the product formulator to provide increased toughness to films and adhesive layers, as well as reducing their rate of water up-take or solvent sensitivity.

These reactions are useful in application areas such as the adhesion of metallised security stampings on credit cards and bank notes, hot-stamping foil adhesives for decorative packaging and cross-linked coatings.

Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) exhibits a visco-elastic nature between 0-50°C, the temperature bandwidth most suitable for sound damping. Synthomer M grade PVAc homopolymers and copolymers are known to have exceptionally high internal sound dampening characteristics. M30 and M50 grades specifically have proven performance in the production of sound damping foils for transport vehicles.

These foils are low weight, giving enhanced fuel economy to the vehicle as well as providing a very high level of passenger comfort, with low noise and vibration transfer to the internal cabin. Sheets formulated with these resins result in more effective sound damping performance over a broad range of temperatures. In comparison to competing resin technologies such as asphalt, PVAc is thinner, lighter, and non-toxic.

Synthomer solid M grades and solutions can be formulated into a wide variety of interior and exterior varnishes, sealers, primers and coatings where adhesion, good penetration and substrate stabilisation is required. Formulations incorporating PVAc resins exhibit excellent resistance to oil and grease, reduced water vapour permeability, and enhanced durability.

Synthomer’s M35/73 grade is commonly selected by coating formulators for use in stabilising primer formulations. Designed as a penetrative binder resin for dusty, chalky and weathered masonry or concrete surfaces, coatings exhibit excellent substrate wetting, impregnation, binding and drying behaviour.

Synthomer M solids and solutions are used alone or in combination with pigments or other resins to impregnate paper, board, felts, nonwoven textiles and leather. These materials can then be thermoformed to provide stiffening for fabric items and glass fibre mats.

The high wet strength plus water and oil resistance imparted by Synthomer M grades ensures that these products are typically used as first choice resin in the manufacture of speciality papers for oil and air filtration.

Filter by Chemistry

Tradename	Chemistry	Description
ALCOTEX™ 864	PVOH	Alcotex 864 is a polyvinyl alcohol, internally plasticized and supplied in a water solution. Alcotex 864 has a medium high hydrolysis level and a low molecular weight. FEATURES Aqueous solution. Forms very flexible films when dry. Dry films can be easily dissolved. Very receptive to ink jet printing inks. The dry film can be insolublised by crosslinking. Non-ionic copolymer. Alcotex 864 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant in Harlow, England.
ALCOTEX™ 975	PVOH	Alcotex 975 is an internally plasticized polyvinyl alcohol supplied in a solvent system of water and propan-1-ol. Alcotex 975 has a high hydrolysis level and a medium molecular weight. FEATURES Ready to use solution. Forms very flexible films when dry. Dry films can be easily dissolved. Very receptive to ink jet printing inks. The dry film can be insolublised by crosslinking. Non-ionic copolymer. Alcotex 975 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant in Harlow, England.
H301	PVAC	H301 is a medium / low molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate, developed for use as a thermoplastic low profile additive in unsaturated polyester composites. H301 is a carboxylated polymer which achieves low solution viscosity, efficient compound thickening, very low shrinkage and excellent mould release. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents including styrene High thickening efficiency Excellent solution stability and compatibility No shrinkage High gloss H301 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
H302	PVAC	H302 is a medium / high molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate, developed for use in unsaturated polyester composites. H302 is a carboxylated polymer which achieves efficient compound thickening, very low shrinkage and excellent mould release. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents including styrene High thickening efficiency Excellent solution stability No shrinkage High gloss H302 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
H356	PVAC	H356 is a low molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate dibutyl maleate copolymer. It is designed for use as a low profile additive in unsaturated polyester composites, typically in room temperature curing processes. FEATURES Dissolves in most organic solvents including styrene Low viscosity styrene solution Soft and highly thermoplastic Excellent shrinkage control in room temperature cured composites H356 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of a melt processable solid.
M30	PVAC	M30 is a low molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate. It is designed for use in solvent based coatings, inks and adhesives or melt extrusion systems. M30 can also be used as a low profile additive in unsaturated polyester composites, typically pultrusion and BMC processes. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents. Can be melt processed. Easily plasticised. Can be combined with other M Grades. Excellent substrate adhesion & film flexibility. Very high light stability. M30 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
M35-73 SOLUTION	PVAC	M35/73 Solution is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and dibutyl maleate dissolved in ethyl acetate. It is designed for use mainly in solvent based coatings, where it can be diluted for use as a highly efficient primer and sealer. FEATURES Miscible with most organic solvents Very high resistance to hydrolysis Solution polymer Rapid penetration and binding Excellent low temperature heat seal M35/73 Solution is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of a colourless solution.
M40	PVAC	M40 is a medium molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate. It is designed for use in solvent based coatings, inks and adhesives or melt extrusion systems. M40 can also be used as a low profile additive in unsaturated polyester composites, typically pultrusion and BMC processes. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents including styrene Can be melt processed Easily plasticised Can be combined with other M Grades Excellent low profile performance in BMC & pultrusion processes M40 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
M45	PVAC	M45 is a medium to high molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate. It is designed for use in solvent based coatings, inks and adhesives or melt extrusion systems. M45 can also be used as a low profile additive in unsaturated polyester composites, typically pultrusion and BMC processes. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents including styrene Can be melt processed Easily plasticised Can be combined with other Synthomer M Grades Excellent low profile performance in BMC & pultrusion processes M45 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
M50	PVAC	M50 is a medium molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate. It is designed for use in solvent based general purpose or parquet adhesives, coatings and inks, melt extrusion systems such as automotive sound damping foils and as a B side carrier in polyester SMC manufacture. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents. Can be melt processed. Easily plasticised. Can be combined with other M Grades. Excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates. Very high UV & light stability. M50 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
M60	PVAC	M60 is a medium high molecular weight, solid polyvinyl acetate. It is designed for use in solvent based coatings, inks and adhesives or melt extrusion systems such as automotive sound damping foils. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents. Can be melt processed. Easily plasticised. Can be combined with other M Grades. Excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates. Very high light and thermal stability. M60 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of colourless beads.
MCT5	PVAC	MCT5 is a low molecular weight, solid copolymer of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid. It is an extremely versatile polymer soluble in both solvent and alkaline aqueous systems. FEATURES Rapidly dissolves in most organic solvents Dissolves in aqueous systems at pH >7.0 Can be melt processed and plasticised Crosslinkable Can be combined with other M Grades Very high adhesion to metals and plastics High light stability MCT5 is manufactured on a dedicated polymerisation plant and is produced in the form of clear, slightly yellow granules.

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Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)

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Discover the right polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) for your application

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