What is the use of redispersible polymer powder?

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.

Here are some typical applications of RDP:

1. Exterior Insulation and Finishing System (EIFS)

EIFS is a popular method of covering exterior walls with weather resistant insulation. One of the main components of EIFS is RDP. It contributes to the strength, adhesion and flexibility of EIFS, ensuring it can withstand varying weather conditions.

2. Tile Adhesive

Tile adhesives are widely used in interior and exterior tile applications. RDP is used to enhance the performance of these adhesives by increasing bond strength, flexibility and water resistance. This ensures that the tiles will stay in place even under heavy loads or changing weather conditions.

3. Self-leveling floor compound

Self-leveling floor compound is used to create a smooth, level surface on concrete floors. Adding RDP to these compounds improves the adhesion, processability and flow of the mixture. This ensures a flat, level and durable floor.