Alkyd resins have been widely used in the coatings industry because of their excellent gloss, corrosion resistance and adhesion to various substrates. Changes in consumer preferences and VOC regulations have mandated that the industry reduce the VOC of coatings. In some cases, this necessitates a switch from solvent-based to water-based technology.
Comprised of aromatic moieties and lipophilic fatty acids, alkyd polymers are water-insoluble hydrophobic polymers. To create waterborne alkyd systems several techniques have been developed for incorporating the alkyd resin into aqueous systems. The most recent practices focus on stabilizing the alkyd in water utilizing either a dispersion or an emulsification process.