SENSITIVITIES OF DROPLET SIZE AND STABILITY IN MONOMERIC EMULSIONS

The stability of a monomeric emulsion is directly dependent on the size of the monomer droplets. The droplet diameter is in turn significantly influenced by a variety of parameters. Both size and stability are important when emulsions consisting of small droplets are polymerized. These parameters were studied for the monomer methyl methacrylate, although the monomers styrene and vinyl acetate were also considered. Conductance was developed as a predictive tool for providing a measurement of emulsion stability. These indications were verified by shelf life stabilities and droplet size measurements. The key parameters which affect size and stability were found to be cosurfactant concentration and monomer water solubility. Coalescence was found to play an important role in stability as well.