What Are Redispersible Polymer Powders (RDP)

13 May.,2024

 

What Are Redispersible Polymer Powders (RDP)

Redispersible polymer powders are free-flowing, white powders manufactured by spray-drying polymer dispersions. When added to water, these polymer powders can disintegrate and form individual polymer dispersions again, with identical properties as the original dispersion.

Check now

Redispersible polymer powders are added to mortar to increase the flexibility and cohesiveness of mortar. This forms a continuous polymer film that helps improve water retention, enhance the bond strength of mortar, and improve the workability of dry mix mortar.

RDP Production Process

The redispersible polymer powder is a latex emulsion created by spray-drying macromolecular dispersions under particular conditions. During production, polyvinyl alcohol is added to stop the latex particles bonding together. These polymer powders are usually manufactured based on acrylic polymers, polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate with vinyl versatate or with ethylene.
RDPs comprise of polymer resin, the crucial ingredient of dispersion particles and an important player for redispersible powders to function. As an additive, polymer powders act as modified resin and polymer resin.

Properties of Redispersible Polymer Powders

When water is added to the dry mix mortar, the polymer powder becomes a dispersion and forms a film upon drying. This film promotes elasticity and adhesion. Redispersible polymer powders are classified into highly elastic with low adhesion, rigid with high adhesion, and medium elastic with standard adhesion. Water is added to some powders to impart hydrophobic characteristics to the material.

  • Vinyl Acetate-Ethylene Polymers (VAE) – These powders blend the flexibility of ethylene and the adhesion of vinyl acetate, leading to many economic and ecological benefits without affecting performance.
    They offer several benefits, including excellent cohesion, flexibility, good low-temperature film and variable glass transition temperature. They also show great adhesion to certain substrates like plastics and wood.
  • Vinyl Chloride Copolymers and Terpolymers – These polymer powders show great water resistance, high hydrophobicity, and excellent tensile adhesion.
  • Terpolymers based on VEOVA and VAcE – These polymer powders have extremely low transition temperatures. The benefits of using polymer powders based on VEOVA and VAcE include good workability, non-slump behaviour, good tensile adhesion strength, excellent crack-bridging properties, and low stickiness.

Applications

Redispersible polymer powders have numerous applications across various industries. They are widely used in:

  • Construction adhesives
  • Tile adhesives
  • Joint mortars
  • External wall putty
  • Building binders
  • Filling compositions like concrete repair joints, crack isolation membranes, and waterproofing membrane applications.

Interested in RDP Powders Products? Contact Bisley & Company

Bisley offers a variety of RDP polymer products that can help improve abrasion resistance, flexural strength, gas migration, and workability properties of the mixed mortar. These polymer powders are easily dissolved in water and develop stable emulsions.

Please send us a message online to learn more about the available specifications, grades, packaging, and applications of polymer powders. Our team will help you find an RDP powder product that suits your application.

What is Redispersible Polymer Powder

Redispersible Polymer Powder (RDP) is a crucial component in modern construction materials, providing enhanced properties to various formulations. With its unique characteristics and versatile applications, RDPplays a significant role in improving the performance, durability, and sustainability of construction products.


1. Introduction to Redispersible Polymer Powder

Redispersible Polymer Powder is a free-flowing, white powder obtained through the spray-drying of polymer dispersions. These powders consist of a blend of synthetic polymers such as vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE), vinyl acetate/vinyl versatate (VeoVa), ethylene-vinyl chloride (E-VC), and others. The production process involves the conversion of liquid dispersions into solid powder form while preserving their polymer properties.

2. Chemistry of Redispersible Polymer Powder

The chemistry of RDP revolves around the polymerization of monomers to form stable polymer dispersions, which are later spray-dried to obtain the powder form. Key factors influencing the properties of RDPinclude:

Polymer Composition: Different polymers offer varying properties such as flexibility, adhesion, and water resistance. For instance, VAE-based RPPs are renowned for their excellent adhesion to various substrates.

Crosslinking Agents: Crosslinking agents can enhance the water resistance and mechanical strength of RPP. Common crosslinkers include polyfunctional aziridines and di-isocyanates.

Additives: Additives like dispersants, surfactants, and plasticizers are often incorporated to improve dispersion stability, flow properties, and flexibility of RDPformulations.


3. Manufacturing Process of Redispersible Polymer Powder

The production of RDP involves several stages:

Polymerization: Monomers are polymerized in aqueous solution under controlled conditions to form stable polymer dispersions.

Post-Polymerization Modification: Additional chemicals, such as protective colloids or crosslinkers, may be added to tailor the properties of the polymer dispersion.

Spray-Drying: The polymer dispersion is atomized into fine droplets and dried in a hot air stream to form solid particles. The process ensures the preservation of polymer properties while converting the dispersion into a free-flowing powder.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from SLEO Chemical.

4. Applications of Redispersible Polymer Powder

RDP finds extensive use in various industries and applications:

Construction: RDP is a key component in cementitious materials such as tile adhesives, self-leveling compounds, mortars, and grouts. It improves adhesion, flexibility, water resistance, and workability of these formulations.

Paints and Coatings: RDP enhances the film formation, adhesion, and durability of water-based paints and coatings. It also serves as a rheology modifier, improving the application properties of these coatings.

Textiles: In the textile industry, RDP is utilized as a binder for non-woven fabrics, providing strength, flexibility, and wash resistance to the final products.

Pharmaceuticals: RDP serves as a stabilizer and binder in pharmaceutical formulations, enabling controlled release and improved bioavailability of active ingredients.


5. Benefits of Redispersible Polymer Powder

The use of RDP offers numerous advantages:

Improved Adhesion: RDP enhances the adhesion of construction materials to various substrates, resulting in stronger and more durable bonds.

Enhanced Flexibility: The addition of RDP imparts flexibility to formulations, reducing the risk of cracking and improving the overall durability of products.

Water Resistance: RDP provides excellent water resistance, making it suitable for use in exterior applications and wet environments.

Workability: RDP improves the workability and processability of construction materials, allowing for easier application and smoother finishes.

Sustainability: RDP enables the formulation of environmentally friendly products by reducing the use of traditional binders and improving the longevity of construction materials.

6. Future Trends and Innovations

The future of RDP lies in continued research and innovation to further enhance its properties and applications. Key areas of focus include:

Development of Sustainable Solutions: Efforts are underway to develop RDP formulations using renewable raw materials and eco-friendly processes to minimize environmental impact.

Advanced Performance Additives: The incorporation of advanced additives and nanomaterials can further enhance the properties of RDP, enabling new applications and improved performance.

Customized Formulations: Tailoring RDP formulations to meet specific application requirements will continue to be a focus, allowing for greater versatility and performance in various industries.


7. Conclusion

Redispersible Polymer Powder plays a vital role in modern construction materials, offering improved adhesion, flexibility, water resistance, and sustainability. With its unique chemistry, manufacturing process, and versatile applications, RDP is poised to drive innovation and advancement in various industries. By understanding the chemistry, manufacturing process, applications, and benefits of RDP, stakeholders can harness its full potential to create durable, high-performance products for a sustainable future.

The company is the world’s best Redispersible Polymer Powder Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.