LATEX MATURATION STUDIES BY LOW ANGLE LIGHT SCATTERING PHOTOMETRY.

Basic information on the relationship between processing variables and the physical chemical changes occurring during the ″precure″ of latex blends is required for optimum process control. To obtain this type of information, the particle size and particle size distribution of a latex blend undergoing a maturation or precure treatment were monitored by low angle light scattering techniques. The absence of any measurable particle size change during precure indicates that the process is simply an initiation of crosslinking within the individual latex particles which is caused by penetration of molecular sulfur and other activators and accelerators.