METHOD OF PREPARING AQUEOUS DISPERSIONS OF ETHYLENE/.ALPHA.,.BETA.-UNSATURATED CARBOXYLIC ACID INTERPOLYMERS

摘要

2077667 9213012 PCTABS00014 Aqueous dispersions of ethylene/.alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid interpolymers (e.g., random ethylene/acrylic acid interpolymers) are formed using a mixture of bases at a concentration of at least 0.2 equivalents of base per mole of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid. The dispersions have at least 10 weight percent dispersed solids and not more than 1 weight percent of the initial polymer in non-dispersed form. Preferred bases for use in forming the dispersions are ammonium hydroxide and/or alkali metal hydroxides. A mixture of ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide is especially preferred for forming the dispersions with ethylene/acrylic acid interpolymers at an ammonium hydroxide: acrylic acid molar ratio of 1:1 and a potassium hydroxyde:acrylic acid molar ratio in the range of 0.6-0.8:1. The dispersions are particularly useful in forming thin coatings of adhesive on substrates, such as paper and metal foil, using conventional techniques.