A new acrylic latex, developed for use primarily in "true clear" sealant applications, sets new performance standards for total solids/low shrinkage, dry time, rate of clearing, and ultimate color and clarity. Additional benefits of this caulk/sealant binder are low thickener demand and very low surface tack in formulated products
Latex products suitable for true clear applications must meet many of the same performance characteristics as those suitable for pigmented systems, but must also have additional properties including rapid dry-to-clear time, low tack, and good color and clarity properties after dry. As a consequence, most if not all of the latex products available to formulate into pigmented sealants exhibit performance deficiencies when formulated into clear products. UCAR Emulsion Systems has recently introduced a new product, specifically targeted at true clear applications, with outstanding adhesion and elongation properties, as required for pigmented ASTM C 834 compliant caulks and sealants, while at the same time exhibiting the unique aesthetic and application specific properties required for clear applications. When properly formulated, it is anticipated that UCARTM Latex 9192 will also meet the requirements for ASTM C 920 (C 920 testing had not been completed at press time). Table 1 shows typical properties of this new product.