Improving the properties of water-borne pressure sensitive adhesives by using non-migratory surfactants

The adhesive performance of high solids content water-borne acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives synthesized using polymerizable surfactants (Latemul®PD-104 and Sipomer®Pam-200) or a polymerizable stabilizer (Sipomer®Cops-1) has been studied. The use of a high pH during the polymerization process has a deleterious effect on the final adhesive properties because gel polymer is not formed. Interestingly, at low pH it is found that the surfactant concentration used during the polymerization process has also an effect on the polymer microstructure; the higher the surfactant concentration, the higher the final gel content of the latex. When polymerizable surfactants or a stabilizer are used the peel strength of the final films is considerably improved due to the surfactant incorporation into the polymer backbone and hence reduced surfactant migration to the air-film interface. Work of adhesion and shear adhesion failure temperature (SAFT) are not noticeably affected by surfactant migration but their performance is affected by the surfactant employed.