In the coatings and wood-finishing industry, the demand for high-clarity, non-yellowing, and durable finishes continues to grow — especially for cabinets, furniture, and institutional environments. One product that addresses these needs is Carboset CR-717, an acrylic copolymer emulsion developed by Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.. Known for its hydroxy-functional design, CR-717 offers formulators a versatile binder that can be cross-linked and tailored for demanding applications.

Key Features & Properties

Carboset CR-717 is described as “a non-yellowing, water white hydroxy-functional acrylic copolymer emulsion.”

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Its primary uses are in lacquer top-coats and sealers for wood substrates. Some of the core benefits include:

Excellent clarity and appearance (water white film) — important when you want minimal discoloration over time.

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Good hardness, chemical and stain resistance — meaning the finished coating can endure everyday use, cleaning, and exposure to various reagents.

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Designed for cross-linking: the hydroxy-functionality enables linkage with crosslinkers (for example, a water-dispersible aliphatic polyisocyanate such as Bayhydur XP-7063) to boost durability and film properties.

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Low micro-foam, good pot life and rapid cure in the right formulation — all factors that support efficient processing and high-end performance.

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It passes certain industry tests for coatings on wood furniture or cabinets (e.g., KCMA performance) when properly formulated.

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From a technical perspective, the data sheet lists typical values: e.g., total solids by weight around 38 % for the emulsion, a minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) about 26 °C for one version, and density around 1.04 specific gravity.

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Applications and Use-Cases

Because of its clarity and performance, CR-717 is especially suited for:

Factory-applied wood lacquers (for high gloss or satin finishes)

Institutional furniture finishes (e.g., where durability is important in communal settings)

Kitchen cabinet finishes, where both appearance and stain-/chemical-resistance matter

Sanding sealers or intermediate coats, where a high-performing binder supports the final coat performance

Office-product finishes and other wood-derived substrates where clarity and durability are required.

In each of these contexts, the ability to crosslink the binder gives advantages over simpler film-formers. For instance, a crosslinked film will generally resist solvents, stains and abrasion better than a non-crosslinked one.

Formulation Considerations & Best Practices

When using Carboset CR-717, formulators should pay attention to things like pH adjustment, choice of crosslinker, pot-life, coalescent solvents and application conditions.

Crosslinker choice: The data indicates Bayhydur XP-7063 (aliphatic polyisocyanate) as a suggested crosslinker.

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The NCO:OH ratio and crosslink level impact film hardness, MEK resistance, etc.

Pot life: The technical sheet suggests that the pot life of the 2K mixture (polymer plus crosslinker) is about 4-6 hours under typical conditions before a marginal drop in performance occurs.

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Coalescent/film-formation: Because CR-717 is a water-borne emulsion, ensuring proper film formation (via coalescent solvents, pH adjustment) is important to achieve a continuous, defect-free film. The suggested coalescent level is ~3-12 % on polymer solids, though this depends on temperature/humidity.

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pH and stability: The TDS indicates some sensitivity to pH outside the 7–8 range; at pH below ~8 or above ~9 some instability was noted in one formulation.

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VOC considerations: One model formula presents a “low VOC / non-HAPS” variant of CR-717 (Model CR-717-03) with VOCs as low as ~35 gm/L (≈ .29 lb/gal) in the 2K mixture. That helps in compliance with regulations in certain regions.

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For wood finishing operations, attention to substrate prep (sanding, cleaning, priming), climate control (humidity/temperature), and application method (spray vs flow-coat) will still affect final appearance and durability.

Advantages vs Potential Limitations

Advantages

High clarity and non-yellowing nature make it attractive for light-coloured or transparent finishes.

Good end-use durability when formulated with crosslinker: chemical resistance, stain resistance, hardness.

Flexibility in coating systems: acceptable for high-gloss or satin, factory or field applied.

Compatibility with low-VOC systems: given the example formula shows <40 gm/L VOC.

Potential Limitations / Considerations

Because it is a crosslinkable system, formulation complexity is higher than a simple single-component lacquer. Proper mixing, pot life management and cure conditions are required.

As with any water-borne system, environmental conditions (temperature/humidity) affect film formation; in cooler or high-humidity environments, achieving defect-free film might require additional considerations.

The raw emulsion alone (uncrosslinked) will show reduced resistance (for example, the TDS states uncrosslinked films had less than 10 MEK double-rubs vs 20–28 after full cure).

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Cost: Crosslinkable high-performance binders typically cost more than standard emulsions; also process/curing equipment might be required (e.g., bake, controlled dry, etc).

Summary

Carboset CR-717 is a premium acrylic copolymer emulsion binder designed for demanding wood-finishing applications. It brings together clarity (water white, non-yellowing film), hardness, stain and chemical resistance, and crosslinkable functionality — enabling high-end finishes for furniture, cabinets, institutional wood products and other surfaces. When properly formulated—with situs cr717 , film-forming aids, and curing regimen—it delivers performance well above traditional nitrocellulose or simple acrylic lacquers. For manufacturers or finishers looking for a combination of aesthetics and durability in a water-borne system, CR-717 offers a compelling option — provided they account for the formulation complexity and processing requirements.