Synthesis of acrylic resins for high-solids traffic marking paint by solution polymerization

Fast-drying traffic marking paint comprising a solvent-borne resin, a filler, a pigment and a solvent that is especially suitable for colder ambient (temperatures near freezing) applications, where waterborne traffic paint cannot be used. Acrylic resins based on methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and styrene were synthesized in different solvents using organic peroxide initiators such as peroxyester, peroxyketal, dialkylperoxide and azo. After polymerization, the molecular weight (M_w), polydispersity index = PDI (M_w/M_n), viscosity, total residual monomer and APHA color were evaluated and results of organic peroxide initiators (t-butyl and t-amyl derivatives) were compared with the azo initiator. The M_w, PDI, viscosity, mass conversation and APHA color of resins with t-amyl derivatives of organic peroxide initiators are very proper.