What is the cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)‌ uses?

‌Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)‌ is a cellulose ester produced by the esterification reaction of acetic acid and butyric acid. It is usually white floc or granular material, similar to cellulose acetate‌. Cellulose acetate butyrate has good solubility in polar solvents, especially those containing hydroxyl groups‌. It has good weather resistance and cold resistance, suitable for outdoor use‌. In addition, it also has good thermal stability, with a melting temperature of 140°C and a heat distortion temperature between 45 and 94°C.

Modification research: Cellulose acetate butyrate can be modified to improve its properties. For example, water-soluble resin made of acrylate-grafted cellulose acetate butyrate is synthesized through solution polymerization method, which can significantly improve its hardness, adhesion and other properties‌. In addition, by using maleic anhydride to modify cellulose acetate butyrate, a photocurable coating with good water resistance and high hardness can be obtained‌. These modification methods further expand the application scope of cellulose acetate butyrate.

As we all know, there are many types of CAB. Let us sort the differences between different popular models:

CAB-381-0.1

CAB-381-0.1 product features: low viscosity, faster drying, no yellowing, no cracking.

Application: Adding it to metal coatings can accelerate the release of solvents from the paint film and shorten the touch-drying time; adding it to plastic coatings can enhance wear resistance, color stability, and increase toughness.

CAB-381-0.5

CAB 381-0.5 is a cellulose ester with medium butyryl content and low viscosity. It was designed for use where low-application viscosities at relatively high solids levels is needed. It is soluble in a wide range of solvents and compatible with many other resins. It will also tolerate the use of solvent blends currently exempt from certain air pollution regulations. It is supplied as a dry, free-flowing powder.

CAB-381-0.5 can improve the drying speed, polishing and fluidity of automotive varnishes, thereby bringing a better appearance and improving the coating efficiency of auto repair shops. In wood coatings, it can make the coating resistant to yellowing. In coil coatings, it can improve the matting efficiency, pigment dispersion and co-dispersant of the coating. In printing, it has good leveling and adhesion.

 CAB-381-2

CAB-381-2 product features: excellent weather resistance and UV resistance; excellent flexibility; excellent miscibility, leveling and anti-“runny nose”.

Application: automotive paint, plastic paint, wood paint, ink, leather paint, paper paint to increase drying speed.

 CAB-551-0.01

CAB-551-0.01 has many unique properties that allow it to be used in many different coating applications. It has the lowest Tg (glass transition temperature) and M (n) of the CAB group, which makes it compatible with other coating components. It is compatible with many cross-linking resins and has a low solution viscosity.

In coatings, CAB-551-0.01 provides clear films, reduces surface tack and spotting, minimizes cratering, improves flow and thermal reflow, and provides inter-coat adhesion and good UV stability. Its good compatibility with a variety of curing resin systems and its solubility in a variety of solvents and solvent combinations make it useful as an additive in digital coating compositions. It is often used in gravure printing, inkjet, printing inks, metal coatings, packaging and carton coatings, etc.

CAB-551-0.2

CAB-551-0.2 is a cellulose ester with high butyryl content and low relative molecular weight. It is compatible with many cross-linked resins and can obtain lower viscosity. In coatings, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB-551-0.2) has good transparency, reduces surface spots, reduces shrinkage, improves fluidity, provides interlayer adhesion and good UV resistance. This product can improve the durability of cross-linked systems. Due to its excellent compatibility and solubility, it can be used as a useful additive in a variety of coating systems.

CAB-551-0.2 has little odor and excellent oil resistance. It can be used for printing inks, paper and fabric coating, and UV resistance. It is widely used in the coating industry and has its uniqueness, which is difficult to be replaced by other chemicals; in the automotive and furniture industries, it has excellent weather resistance and UV resistance.