abstract |
A process is provided for preparing a dispersion of a polyamide in water, said process comprising: dissolving a polyamide having an amine value of greater than about 2 in an organic solvent to form a solution of said polyamide in said solvent, said polyamide and said solvent being at a temperature below the softening point of said polyamide during said dissolving, said solution further comprising a surfactant and an inorganic alkaline material, adding sufficient water containing an acid to said solution with mixing to form an oil-in-water dispersion, the temperature of said solution and said water being below the softening point of said polyamide during said adding, the amount of said acid being sufficient to neutralize a portion of said inorganic alkaline material, but insufficient to coagulate said polyamide from the resulting oil-in-water dispersion, and removing at least a major amount of said organic solvent from said oil-in-water dispersion. The resulting dispersion is useful in preparing a coating of the polyamide, which coating is useful as an adhesive. |