Sedimentation of water dispersed systems of acrylate copolymers in xylene

Methyl methacrylate - butyl acrylate - methacrylic acid copolymer and butyl methacrylate - methacrylic acid amide copolymer of a different segmental structure were stabilised with non-ionic and anionic surfactants. Gel chromatography, viscosimetry, tensiometry, conductometry and sedimentation methods were applied to define the properties of the synthesized copolymers, surfactants in water solutions and water dispersions. The types and the properties of the phases being in a state of sedimentation balance were also determined. The obtained experimental data were interpreted and justified by using the copolymer and surfactants properties. The existing correlations were pointed out. The obtained results show that the stability of a disperse system considerably depends on the structure of the copolymer. The MMA/BA/MAA copolymer has monomeric units of elastic butyl acrylate. Segments containing these monomeric units adsorb surfactants much better and form more stable water disperse systems. However, the MBA/AMAA copolymer with the polarity of amide group of methacrylamide makes disperse systems less stable.