A new approach to the measurement of the minimum film formation temperature of latex dispersions

A new approach to the determination of the minimum film formation temperature (MFFT) of latex dispersions is reported here. The procedure is based on the measurement of the change in electrical conductivity with temperature when a bulk sample of a latex dispersion is partially dried, under an applied osmotic stress, to the stage where the latex particles are in close proximity. The variation in conductivity with temperature, under these conditions, was found to have a marked change or transition at the expected minimum film formation temperature for the latex samples studied. This new method has the potential for applications involving latex dispersions containing pigments, where the current optical techniques are less applicable.