Effect of Particle Coalescence in Polymer Emulsion Films on Mechanical and Morphological Properties.

Mechanical and morphological properties of methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer emulsion films were investigated. As a result, the elevation of drying temperature accelerated the coalescence of polymer particles. The coalescence of polymer particles was completed at drying temperature above 48 degreesC from MFT (minimum film-forming temperature). In addition, the surface of the film was very flat like the surface of polymer solution film. We found out that the Ra (surface roughness) of the film surface had a relation with the coalescence rate of polymer particles. Moreover, we found out that the tensile strength and the peel strength of the film increased with the decrease of Ra. The water absorbing capacity of the film had no relation with the coalescence rate of the polymer particles.