Acrylic, styrene-butadiene, vinyl acetate-ethylene and similar latexes are diluted, often foamed or mixed with crosslinkers and pigments, applied to the web and then dried and cured. The choice of latex sets softness, wet strength, solvent resistance and whether the fabric can break apart in water. Uncured or underdried latex causes sticky rolls, odor and weak wet strength.
Latex isn't fully cured, the rolls are blocking and the wipe falls apart in the lotion.
Also heard as
- latex binder
- emulsion binder
- binder
Related terms
Chemical bonding
Bonding a web with a liquid binder, usually a latex, that is applied, dried and cured to glue the fibers together.
Airlaid
Web formed by suspending short fibers, mostly fluff pulp with some binder fiber, in air and depositing them on a wire.
Flushable
Describes wipes and similar products designed to break up and pass safely through toilets, drains and sewers.