ABSTRACT
The polymer manufacturer would prefer to omit surfactants, which are usually more expensive than the monomers and can have deleterious effects on the properties of the final polymer. This chapter shows how and why emulsion polymer manufacturers overcome their inhibitions over surfactant use and discusses some of the factors relevant to the choice of surfactants and surfactant levels. From an industrial viewpoint, the principal advantages of the emulsion polymerisation process are rapid polymerisation, low viscosities and the presence of a dispersing medium that permits better heat dissipation during manufacture. In addition, the final product is in a usable and relatively environmentally friendly form for direct supply to customers. For those end applications using solid polymer, the product may be coagulated or spray dried. The chapter identifies the various applications that use latex, together with their technical requirements, and provides specific surfactant effects where appropriate.
