emulsioncoated

Emulsioncoated is an adjective used to describe a material that bears a coating formed from an emulsion, typically a water-based polymer dispersion applied to a substrate and cured to form a continuous film. Emulsion coatings are produced by stabilizing polymer droplets in water (or occasionally another liquid) and applying the dispersion to a surface; drying causes the liquid to evaporate and the droplets to coalesce, yielding a uniform, adherent layer.

Common polymer emulsions used in emulsion coatings include acrylic, vinyl acetate-ethylene, styrene-butadiene, and polyurethane dispersions. These coatings are applied by dipping, brushing, spraying, or roller coating onto substrates such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, or plastic films. After application, gentle heating or air drying promotes coalescence and film formation.

Advantages of emulsion coatings include low volatile organic compound emissions, good substrate adhesion, rapid film formation at ambient temperatures, and the ability to tailor barrier, gloss, and flexibility properties. They are widely used in paper coatings to improve printability, in wood and metal finishes, and in textiles for functional or decorative finishes. Limitations can include sensitivity to temperature and humidity during drying, potential defects from incomplete coalescence, and storage stability concerns for some emulsions.

Engineering considerations for emulsion-coated products involve emulsion stability, particle size distribution, and formulation additives such as surfactants, coalescing agents, and crosslinkers. The term emphasizes the presence of a dispersed emulsion as the coating medium rather than a solvent-based film.