Film formation from polymer dispersions

Abstract

Abstract The coalescence of a poly(vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate/acrylic acid) latex was found to occur only above the T g . The various theories of film formation from polymer dispersions attribute latex coalescence to three types of forces: the pressure due to the polymer–air interface, the pressure due to a polymer–water interface, and the pressure due to capillary action. Analysis of the forces indicates that none are sufficient to cause coalescence below T g while any, or all, may cause coalescence above T g .