| abstract |
This invention discloses a process for preparing a latex which is particularly beneficial for utilization in manufacturing high performance masking tape, which includes the sequential steps of (1) terpolymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer, an alkyl acrylate monomer, and an alkyl propenoic acid monomer in an aqueous polymerization medium by free radical polymerization to produce a seed polymer latex; (2) neutralizing the seed polymer latex to a pH of about 6 to about 9 by the addition of an alkali; (3) adding additional vinyl aromatic monomer and alkyl acrylate monomer to the neutralized seed polymer latex; and (4) allowing the additional vinyl aromatic monomer and alkyl acrylate monomer to polymerize in a second polymerization step to a solids content of about 30% to about 50% to produce the latex which is particularly beneficial for utilization in manufacturing high performance masking tape. |