Particle packing in latex films

Combination of light scattering and electron microscopy for characterization of packing texture in solid films of polyvinyl acetate is described. Evidence is presented for a sedimentation caused particle size gradient from top to bottom in a film of a large particle latex. The influence of the polymeric stabilizer on the optical heterogeneity of latex films is discussed in terms of a continuous matrix in which latex particles are imbedded. The possibility of phase separation according to particle size is presented.