Non-ionic emulsion polymerisation

A process, similar to conventional emulsion polymerisation, is described by which sterically stabilised polymer dispersions are made in water alone. Ionic initiators and surfactants are replaced by non-ionic species, and a copolymerisable stabilising macromonomer is also used. The dispersions have good stability to solvent addition, high shear rates and freeze-thaw cycling; however, the effectiveness of stabilisation depends on the nature of both the monomers and the macromonomers.