Abstract

A lower fluorine-content core-shell latex copolymer with a fluorinated polyacrylate rich shell was manufactured by seeded emulsion polymerization and its morphology was confirmed by TEM observation and particle size analysis. The results indicated that the surface energy of a film of this latex was as low as that of PTFE (i.e. 18.5mN/m) by contact angle measurement. The water repellency of the film made from a polyurethane dispersion blended with the fluorinated core-shell latex was remarkably increased. When applied in leather finishing, a coat with excellent wet rub fastness was obtained showing the great effectiveness of the low surface energy fluorinated acrylate core-shell latex applied as a top coat additive to improve wet rub fastness performance.