Geometric considerations in latex film formation

The theoretical study of latex film formation involves the transformation of a sphere into a polyhedron which, along with its neighbors, fills all space. The type of polyhedra formed depends upon the manner in which the latex particles are packed together after the film is dried. If the lattice is known, the polyhedron, and hence its geometric parameters, can be determined. These geometric parameters can then be used to model the degree of particle deformation and to calculate the interparticle forces, pressures and contact areas at various stages of the film formation process. Of the two lattices that close-pack spheres, the face-centered cubic is by far the most popular in the literature. However, hexagonal close packed is another close-packing possibility that should be considered.