A latex is a dispersion of polymeric particles or droplets in liquid, which sounds simple enough. But the chemistry, mechanics and processes used to create synthetic latex (also referred to as an emulsion polymer) are a bit more complicated. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the science of la... read more
Most people are familiar with the concept of melting point — the temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid state. But not all materials have a defined melting point. An amorphous polymer has a glass transition temperature, which is not a single temperature at all but a range of temperature... read more
It’s convenient to think of polymers as long chains, and, sometimes, that’s accurate. But polymers have a number of complex interactions — between monomers and between polymer chains — that result in recognizable architectures. These architectures can have tremendous impact on the properties of a p... read more
Chemists who make latexes generally start by understanding how the product will be used. That’s because the end-use application of an emulsion polymer has significant implications for how it’s designed. Knowing the end use helps the chemist develop the right recipe, with all of the right ingredients... read more
Chemists sometimes describe latex as a colloidal dispersion that remains stable — i.e., the particles that make up the dispersion don’t settle or cream over time. This is accomplished by a combination of ionic and steric stabilization. Keep reading to understand how these two unique mechanisms work... read more