International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2568

Full Length Research Paper

Copolymerization of methylol urea with vegetable oil: Effect of using different types of vegetable oil on some physical properties of the copolymer composite

Osemeahon, S. A.*, Ilesamin, J. O. Y., Aliyu B. A.  and E. I. Mshelia
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 23 May 2011
  •  Published: 04 August 2011

Abstract

The effect of using different types of vegetable oil (VO) namely soybean oil (SO), cotton seed oil (CO), moringa seed oil (MO) and neem seed oil (NO) on some physical properties of methylol urea/vegetable oil (MUR/VO) composite was investigated. Pure methylol urea (MUR) was blended with SO, CO, MO and NO to give methylol urea/soybean oil copolymer composite (MSO), methylol urea/cotton seed oil copolymer composite (MCO), methylol urea/moringa seed oil (MMO) copolymer composite and methylol urea/neem seed oil (MNO) copolymer composite. Some physical properties (viscosity, density, refractive index, moisture uptake, melting point and elongation at break) and formaldehyde emission obtained from the different types of vegetable oil were evaluated. It was observed that all the parameters studied varied from one type of vegetable oil to another showing that the type of vegetable oil used has a remarkable influence on the physical properties of MUR/VO. While the melting point, turbidity, elongation at break and dry time showed an increase in value with respect to MUR, all other parameters showed a decrease in value with respect to MUR resin. MUR/MNO copolymer composite gave the lowest values in terms of moisture uptake (0.87%), melting point (160°C) and formaldehyde emission (0.03 PPM) while maintaining the highest value in terms of elongation at break (150%). This suggests that the three drawbacks of poor water resistant, hardness/brittleness and formaldehyde emission associated with MUR can in this respect be addressed by using MNO. However, the long drying period exhibited by MNO advised that an appropriate drier is needed to speed up its rate of cure. The result from this study will add value to NO while helping to optimize the processes of MUR/VO blending for use in the coating industry.

 

Key words: Amino resin, vegetable oils, blending, paint binder.