Crosslinking kinetics and network formation in organic coatings containing hexamethoxymethylmelamine

We have developed a kinetic model of the crosslinking reaction of hydroxy-functional acrylic copolymers with fully alkylated melamines. This model accurately describes the extent of the crosslinking reaction as a function of cure time and melamine concentration in coating films. Using this model, we have determined the effects of acid catalyst concentration and strength and the effects of cure temperature on the rate constant of the crosslinking reaction. The rate constant is proportional to the catalyst concentration and to the square root of the acid constant of the catalyst. The temperature dependence of the rate constant follows an Arrhenius rate law with an activation energy of 12.5 kcal/mol independent of catalyst type. Amine salts of p-toluenesulfonic acid have been compared with p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalysts in these coatings at different bake temperatures. These kinetic results have been used in a network structure model to calculate the cure response of these coatings as a function of formulation variables.