Latexes with intrinsic crosslink activity

In order to develop and study 'two pack in one pot' systems, i.e. binder systems consisting of a blend of complementary reactive latexes, epoxy- and amino-functional latexes were prepared and characterised, with attention especially directed to control of the number of functional groups and control of the molecular weight. The investigation is focused on the control of the molecular weight of epoxy-functional latexes and on the incorporation of amino groups in latexes by using amino-functional methacrylic monomers. To determine the reactivity of the epoxy and amino groups and to check which factors influence the crosslink reaction a number of blends were prepared from both solution and emulsion copolymers and dried at ambient temperatures. It was found that the major factors, which affect the efficiency of crosslinking, are the T-g and the molecular weight of the copolymers and, in the case of a 'two pack in one pot system', the rate of the polymer-polymer reaction in relation to that of the polymer-polymer interdiffusion.