Formulation of Emulsion Paint Derived from Waste Expanded Polystyrene as a Binder

Abstract

Emulsion paint, also known as water-based paint, is a type of paint that consists of small water droplets suspended in a binder. The binder, typically made of acrylic or vinyl acetate polymers, acts as a film-forming agent that holds the pigments and other additives together. Emulsion paint was formulated from waste expanded polystyrene as a binder. The formulated emulsion paint which underwent a three-staged process had a pH of 7.82, density of 1.31 g/cm3, the drying time was 15-20 and 85-90 minutes for the set to touch and set to hard drying times respectively, viscosity of 10.4 Cp. The formulated paint exhibited good adhesion, tackiness, opacity, flexibility and stability properties. The paint also possessed good resistance to blistering; which indicates that it has good external exposure resistance and thus; can perform well when exposed to environmental conditions such as rain and sun. Effects of concentration on viscosity, density, melting point, refractive index, moisture uptake, turbidity, elongation at break and water solubility were studied for the polystyrene binder to ascertain for its suitability. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer was employed to characterized the binder. This investigation revealed favourable properties of a conventional emulsion paint inherent in the formulated polystyrene binder derived emulsion paint such as, drying time, moisture uptake, water solubility.