ABSTRACT
This chapter deals mainly with water-dispersed synthetic rubber adhesives although other types of systems are discussed. It discusses chemistry and formulating. The chapter compares physical and performance properties of water- and solvent-based adhesives, and gives end uses for adhesives based on several types of polymer. It discusses characteristics of water-based adhesives and reviews techniques for adhesive selection. In general, the area of water-based adhesives can be divided into two broad categories: water-soluble and water-dispersed products. Water-soluble adhesives include the animal glues, vegetable glues, and other (natural) systems. Water-dispersed adhesives include those based on natural-rubber latices, synthetic-rubber (polymer) latices, and postformed-rubber (polymer) latices. One of the most efficient methods of drying latex adhesives is through the use of an infrared heat source in conjunction with air flow over the adhesive. As the water evaporates, air movement reduces the high humidity directly above the adhesive surface and speeds the drying.
