Films from soft-core/hard-shell hydrophobic latexes: Structure and thermomechanical properties

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 38; no. 23; pp. 2989 - 3000
• Main Authors: Domingues Dos Santos, Fabrice, Fabre, Pascale, Drujon, Xavier, Meunier, Gilles, Leibler, Ludwik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.12.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; core-shell; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; interphase; latex films; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Sheets and films; structure; Technology of polymers; thermomechanical properties; Dynamic mechanical properties; Butyl acrylate polymer; Film; Morphology; Internal structure; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Property structure relationship; Experimental study; Latex; Thermomechanical analysis; thermomechanical properties; latex films; structure; interphase; core-shell
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-0488(20001201)38:23<2989::AID-POLB10>3.0.CO;2-D

Structured latexes provide a promising route to hard coatings without the use of coalescing aids. We studied the thermomechanical properties of films from structured soft‐core/hard‐shell hydrophobic latexes. We found that the mechanical properties of these films were closely related to their very particular organization. When the rigid phase was continuous, whatever its volume fraction, the films exhibited a high elastic modulus. An analysis of the viscoelastic properties of the films provided a good method for obtaining information about the interphase between the hard shell and soft core of the latex particles. By varying the film structure through annealing or the particle composition (core/shell ratio, core crosslinking, etc.), we were able to tune the mechanical properties of the films. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2989–3000, 2000