Neoprene rubber latex-based adhesives

The major emulsion processes include the copolymerization of styrene and butadiene to form SBR rubber, polymerization of chloroprene (Fig. t -4) to produce neoprene rubbers, and the synthesis of latex paints and adhesives based mainly on vinyl acetate and acrylic copolymers. The product is either used directly in emulsion form as a paint or else the surfactants used in the polymerization are left in the final, coagulated rubber product. 

Emulsion polymerization is the basis of many industrial processes, and the production volume of latex technologies is continually expanding—a consequence of the many environmental, economic, health, and safety benefits the process has over solvent-based processes. A wide range of products are synthesized by emulsion polymerization, including commodity polymers, such as polystyrene, poly(acrylates), poly (methyl methacrylate), neoprene or poly(chloroprene), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The applications include manufacture of coatings, paints, adhesives, synthetic leather, paper coatings, wet suits, natural rubber substitutes, supports for latex-based antibody diagnostic kits, etc. ... 

Styrene butadiene vinylpyridine latex (SBVPL) is the most popular rubber latex used to make RFL dips to achieve good rubber-to-fabric adhesion. Usually SBVPL is used for good adhesion between textile cord and rubber compounds based on general-purpose elastomers (NR, SBR, and BR). Occasionally other latexes besides SBVPL are used as well. For example, sometimes natural rubber latex is used for an RFL dip. Then again, neoprene latex can also be used, especially if the rubber compound is based on neoprene. The purpose of the rubber latex component of the RFL is to promote adhesion with the rubber matrix of the product. 

Bentonite thickening agents are used in various water based adhesives, caulks and sealants including those based on proteins and starch, polyvinyl acetate emulsions, natural rubber latexes, acrylic emulsions, neoprene emulsions, butyl emulsions, nitrile emulsions, and SBR emulsions. 

Midgley, C.A. and Rea, J.R., Styrene-butadiene rubber adhesives. In Skeist, I. (Ed.), Handbook of Adhesives, 3rd edn. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1990, pp. 227-234. Guggenberger, S.K., Neoprene (polychloroprene)-based solvent and latex adhesives. In Skeist, 1. (Ed.), Handbook of Adhesives, 3rd edn. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1990. 

In the hot-melt type, two principal polymer types are used polyolefin and ethylene co-polymer based and polyester and polyamide type. In the solvent-based type, the most prominent are neoprene (polychloroprene)-based solvent and latex types, and polyvinyl acetate emulsions. For pressure-sensitive adhesives, the most favored are acrylic adhesives and butyl rubber/polyisobutylene types. 

---