Welcome to the Actikem Glossary of Terms for Polymer Dispersion Applications, your comprehensive guide to the advanced chemistry behind our high-performance solutions. This resource provides clear, technical insights into our diverse range of water-based polymer dispersions - from versatile acrylics and durable polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) to specialised rheology modifiers. Designed to help you navigate the complexities of modern formulations, this glossary highlights the properties, performance benefits, and sustainable, low-VOC applications of the polymer dispersions that drive innovation in coatings, adhesives, and industrial finishes.
Acrylate Polymer Dispersion
Acrylate polymer dispersions are water‑based polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications such as coatings, adhesives, and sealants. They consist of finely dispersed acrylate polymer particles that provide excellent film formation, flexibility, and durability. Their tunable chemical composition allows control over properties like hardness, adhesion, and weather resistance, while supporting low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations.
Acrylic Copolymer Dispersion
Acrylic copolymer dispersions are water‑borne polymer systems used extensively in polymer dispersion applications such as paints, coatings, adhesives, and textile finishes. By copolymerizing different acrylic monomers, these dispersions offer tailored performance, including balanced hardness and flexibility, strong adhesion, and resistance to weathering and chemicals. Their low VOC content and good film‑forming behavior make them suitable for environmentally conscious industrial formulations.
Acrylic Polymer Dispersion
Acrylic polymer dispersions are water‑based systems in which acrylic polymer particles are uniformly dispersed to enable a wide range of polymer dispersion applications. They are commonly used in coatings, adhesives, and construction materials due to their excellent film‑forming ability, transparency, and durability. These dispersions offer good adhesion, UV resistance, and mechanical stability while supporting low‑VOC and environmentally friendly formulations.
Ammonium Polyacrylate Dispersion
Ammonium polyacrylate is commonly used in polymer dispersion applications as an effective dispersant and stabilizing agent. As a water‑soluble polymer salt, it helps uniformly disperse pigments, fillers, and polymer particles by providing electrostatic repulsion. This improves dispersion stability, prevents agglomeration, and enhances rheology control, making it valuable in coatings, adhesives, and other water‑borne polymer systems.
Aqueous Polymer Dispersion
Aqueous polymer dispersions are water‑based systems in which polymer particles are finely dispersed to enable a wide range of polymer dispersion applications. They are widely used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and construction materials due to their good film formation, stability, and processability. These dispersions allow precise control of mechanical and surface properties while offering low VOC emissions and improved environmental and workplace safety.
Aqueous Polyurethane Dispersion
Aqueous polyurethane dispersions are water‑borne polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications such as coatings, adhesives, textiles, and sealants. They consist of finely dispersed polyurethane particles that provide excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and adhesion. These dispersions enable high‑performance films with good chemical and weather resistance while supporting low‑VOC formulations, making them well suited for environmentally responsible industrial and consumer applications.
Cationic Polyurethane Dispersion
Cationic polyurethane dispersions are specialized water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications where strong adhesion to negatively charged substrates is required. Featuring positively charged polymer particles, they provide excellent bonding to materials such as leather, textiles, paper, and certain plastics. These dispersions offer good film formation, flexibility, and durability, while enabling low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations for coatings, adhesives, and surface treatments.
Copolymer Dispersion
Copolymer dispersions are water‑based systems composed of polymer particles formed from two or more monomers, enabling tailored performance in polymer dispersion applications. By adjusting monomer composition, these dispersions can balance properties such as flexibility, hardness, adhesion, and chemical resistance. They are widely used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and construction materials, offering good film formation, stability, and low‑VOC, environmentally responsible solutions.
Ethylene Acrylic Acid Copolymer Dispersion
Ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications requiring strong adhesion and flexibility. The acrylic acid functionality enhances bonding to polar substrates, pigments, and fillers, while the ethylene backbone provides toughness and film flexibility. These dispersions are commonly applied in coatings, adhesives, inks, and packaging, offering good stability, processability, and support for low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations.
Fluoropolymer Dispersion
Fluoropolymer dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications that demand exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and low surface energy. They consist of finely dispersed fluoropolymer particles that form durable, non‑stick, and weather‑resistant films. These dispersions are widely applied in high‑performance coatings, membranes, and industrial finishes, offering excellent durability while enabling controlled processing and reduced solvent emissions.
Guar Gum Polymer Dispersion
Guar gum dispersions are water‑based systems derived from natural polysaccharides and are used in polymer dispersion applications as rheology modifiers and stabilisers. They improve viscosity control, suspension stability, and water retention in formulations such as coatings, adhesives, and construction materials. Guar gum dispersions are valued for their compatibility with other polymers, ease of processing, and renewable, environmentally friendly origin.
Latex Polymer Dispersion
Latex dispersions are aqueous systems in which polymer particles are finely dispersed to enable a broad range of polymer dispersion applications. Commonly used in paints, coatings, adhesives, and binders, they offer excellent film formation, flexibility, and adhesion. Latex dispersions provide good mechanical stability and durability while supporting low‑VOC formulations, making them well suited for environmentally responsible industrial and construction applications.
Methacrylic Acid Copolymer Dispersion
Methacrylic acid copolymer dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications where controlled adhesion, durability, and chemical resistance are required. The presence of methacrylic acid groups enhances polarity, pigment binding, and stability, while the copolymer structure allows tuning of hardness and flexibility. These dispersions are widely applied in coatings, adhesives, and specialty finishes, supporting low‑VOC, environmentally conscious formulations.
Polyamide Dispersion
Polyamide dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications that require toughness, abrasion resistance, and strong adhesion. They consist of finely dispersed polyamide particles that form durable, flexible films with good chemical and heat resistance. These dispersions are commonly applied in coatings, inks, and adhesives, offering excellent mechanical performance while supporting low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulation requirements.
Polyester Dispersion
Polyester dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications that require a balance of mechanical strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance. They consist of finely dispersed polyester particles that form clear, durable films with good adhesion to various substrates. Commonly used in coatings, adhesives, and textile finishes, polyester dispersions support low‑VOC formulations while delivering reliable performance and processing stability.
Polyethylene Dispersion
Polyethylene dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications where abrasion resistance, moisture resistance, and surface protection are required. They contain finely dispersed polyethylene particles that impart toughness, slip, and chemical stability to coatings and inks. Commonly applied in packaging, paper coatings, and industrial finishes, polyethylene dispersions enhance durability and performance while enabling low‑VOC, environmentally compliant formulations.
Polymer Wax Dispersion
Polymer wax dispersions are water‑based systems used in polymer dispersion applications to enhance surface properties such as slip, scratch resistance, and water repellency. They contain finely dispersed synthetic or natural wax polymers that migrate to the film surface during drying. Commonly applied in coatings, inks, and floor finishes, polymer wax dispersions improve durability, gloss control, and processing performance while supporting low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations.
Polyolefin Dispersion
Polyolefin dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications that require durability, chemical resistance, and low surface energy. They contain finely dispersed polyethylene or polypropylene particles that enhance abrasion resistance, slip, and moisture barrier properties. Commonly applied in coatings, inks, and paper or packaging treatments, polyolefin dispersions improve surface performance and toughness while supporting low‑VOC, environmentally compliant formulations.
Polyurethane Dispersion (PU Dispersion)
Polyurethane dispersions (PU dispersions) are water‑based polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications that demand a combination of performance, versatility, and environmental compliance. They consist of finely dispersed polyurethane particles that provide excellent film formation, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and strong adhesion to diverse substrates. PU dispersions are extensively applied in coatings, adhesives, textiles, synthetic leather, and wood finishes, offering tunable mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and durable performance while enabling low‑VOC and solvent‑free formulations.
Polyvinyl Acetate Dispersion
Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) dispersions are water‑based polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications such as adhesives, coatings, and binders. They consist of finely dispersed PVAc particles that provide strong adhesion, good film formation, and flexibility on porous substrates. PVAc dispersions are especially valued in wood glues, paper coatings, and construction products, offering easy processing, cost efficiency, and low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations.
PUD Polyurethane Dispersion
PUD polyurethane dispersions are water‑based polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications that require high performance and sustainability. They contain finely dispersed polyurethane particles that deliver excellent film formation, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and strong adhesion. PUD dispersions are commonly used in coatings, adhesives, textiles, wood finishes, and synthetic leather, offering tunable mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and durable performance while supporting low‑VOC, solvent‑free formulations.
PVA Dispersion
PVA dispersions, based on polyvinyl alcohol, are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications as binders, stabilizers, and film‑forming agents. They provide good adhesion, flexibility, and excellent compatibility with inorganic fillers and pigments. PVA dispersions are widely applied in adhesives, paper coatings, construction products, and textile sizing, where they enhance dispersion stability, film strength, and processing efficiency while supporting low‑VOC, water‑borne formulations.
PVAC Dispersion
PVAc dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications where reliable adhesion and film formation are required. They consist of finely dispersed polyvinyl acetate particles that provide good bonding to porous substrates, flexibility, and ease of processing. PVAc dispersions are widely applied in adhesives, paper and packaging coatings, paints, and construction materials, offering cost‑effective performance while supporting low‑VOC, environmentally friendly formulations.
Styrene Acrylic Polymer Dispersion
Styrene acrylic dispersions are water‑based polymer systems used in polymer dispersion applications that require a balance of durability, adhesion, and cost efficiency. By combining styrene and acrylic monomers, these dispersions provide good film formation, hardness, and resistance to water and weathering. They are widely applied in architectural coatings, industrial paints, adhesives, and construction products, supporting low‑VOC formulations and consistent performance across diverse substrates.
Waterborne Polyurethane Dispersion
Waterborne polyurethane dispersions are aqueous polymer systems widely used in polymer dispersion applications that demand high performance and environmental compliance. They consist of finely dispersed polyurethane particles that provide excellent film formation, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and strong adhesion to various substrates. These dispersions are commonly used in coatings, adhesives, textiles, and wood finishes, offering durable mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and low‑VOC formulations suitable for modern industrial applications.