Microgel polymer blends

The resinous thickeners above are thermoplastic and all ultimately soluble in one solvent blend or another. As we have seen, their low shear effects can be destroyed by solvent additions. If, however, the polymers are made as latexes or non-aqueous dispersions by emulsion or dispersion polymerization (Chapter 11) and a small amount of cross-linking is introduced via polyfunc-tional monomer, then insoluble colloidal resin particles are produced. These are called microgels. 

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