Emulsion polymerisation

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Vinyl C1 to C3 alkanoate/C2 to C4 alkylene copolymer emulsions eg vinyl acetate/ethylene, are usable as wet adhesives and pressure sensitive adhesives for a number of applications. Their bonding to the surfaces of lower polarity, eg polyethylene, is improved by including vinyl esters of C4 to C18 primary or secondary carboxylic acids as a monomer. As the results presented in Table I indicate, a particularly preferred balance of properties especially increased adhesion to hydrophobic substrates with little or no reduction in cohesive strength, is achieved by the use of the 2-ethyl hexanoate monomer, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.