Epoxidized esters of fatty acids as internal and external plasticizers for polyvinyl acetate

Summary Fatty acid esters modified with epoxy or acetoxy groups were found to be compatible with polyvinyl acetate. These esters are good plasticizers for polyvinyl acetate compositions and may be used for plasticizing polyvinyl acetate in latex form. The use of a good swelling agent, such as toluene, was found desirable for permitting plasticization of these emulsions. The epoxidized oils may also assist in reducing container corrosion and in stabilizing the emulsions by reacting with the acetic acid formed by the hydrolysis of residual vinyl acetate. Emulsions of copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl epoxystearate were prepared, yielding clear, hard films which were internally plasticized. The epoxy group in these interpolymers is a potential source for cross‐linking vinyl acetate polymer films. The epoxy group of the co‐polymers (internal‐phase stabilization) and the epoxidized oils (external‐phase stabilization) were found to be virtually equivalent for removal of acetic acid from polyvinyl acetate emulsions.