Synthetic latices: individual types

Abstract

The previous chapter has dealt with the general principles which underlie the production of synthetic latices by emulsion polymerization. This chapter reviews the individual types of synthetic latex. The concern is exclusively with aqueous synthetic latices. Non-aqueous synthetic latices are also used industrially; they are produced by emulsion/dispersion polymerization in non-aqueous media. However, aqueous synthetic latices far exceed non-aqueous synthetic latices as regards multiplicity and industrial importance. The main concern in this chapter is, of course, with synthetic latices which have attained industrial importance to a greater or lesser extent. However, brief reference is also made to certain other interesting types which so far have either been of very limited specialist applicational interest only, or remained of essentially academic interest. Almost all the synthetic latices of industrial importance are produced by free-radical addition polymerizations of olefinically-unsaturated monomers in aqueous dispersion media.