The preparation of biodegradable polyester emulsion was investigated using three types of emulsificationequipments:The first is a mixer which has one turbine stirrer and two blades to rotate and revolve simultaneously to attain efficiently homogeneous agitation even in highly viscous systems. (abbreviated to planetary-type mixer). The second is a homogenizer in which dispersion is effected by forcing the mixture to be emulsified through a small interstice made by Ramond unite under very high pressure (abbreviated to Ramond mixer). The third is an extruder with twin screws to rotate in the same direction.Polycaprolactone was dissolved in toluene and emulsified by the planetary-type mixer and the Ramond mixer, whereas polybutylene succinate-co-adipate was fed in the extruder as pellet. Partially saponificated polyvinyl alcohol was selected as emulsifier.Our porpose is to establish the easy emulsification technique to prepare biodegradable polyester emulsion whose particle diameter is ca. 1μm and which results in durable film to water. The following results were obtained.1. The easy emulsificaiton technique means that the emulsification proceeds smoothly up to the final state without any troublesome operation to maintain agitation homogeneously. This was attained using the three equipments.2. Ca. 1μm diameter and water durable film are the least requirement for polymer emulsion adhesives. The former was attained with the planctary-type mixer and with the Ramond mixer, but the smallest diameter was not, smaller than 2μm with the extruder. The latter was obtained with the extruder, but the other two mixers resulted in films to be disintegrated in water.3. The correlations between the particle size and emulsification parameters were found quantitatively and it is concluded that the flow rate in the Ramond mixer and the feeding rate in the extruder are the most influential parameters. Therefore, using these informations we may expect that our initial purpose can be attained.
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