Colloidally stabilized emulsions

Abstract

A filter substrate impregnated with an emulsion polymer, the emulsion polymer being substantially devoid of phenolics and stabilized using a protective colloid.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a system using phenolics alone or in combination with one or more other polymers, the improvement comprising using an emulsion polymer, which includes crosslinkable functionality and which includes the addition of a protective colloid, to replace or substantially eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of phenolics.  
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective colloid is a polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is fully hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinkable functionality is provided by a self-crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and C 1  to C 4  ethers thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A filter comprising a filter substrate impregnated with an emulsion polymer, the emulsion polymer being substantially devoid of phenolics and stabilized using a protective colloid.  
     
     
         7 . The filter according to  claim 6 , wherein the protective colloid is a polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         8 . The filter according to  claim 7 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is fully hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         9 . The filter according to  claim 7 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         10 . The filter according to  claim 6 , wherein the emulsion polymer has crosslinkable functionality provided by a self-crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and C 1  to C 4  ethers thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A filter comprising a filter substrate impregnated with an emulsion polymer, the emulsion polymer being substantially devoid of phenolics and stabilized using a polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         12 . The filter according to  claim 11 , wherein the protective colloid is a polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         13 . The filter according to  claim 12 , wherein polyvinyl alcohol is fully hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         14 . The filter according to  claim 12 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         15 . The filter according to  claim 11 , wherein the emulsion polymer has crosslinkable functionality provided by a self-crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and C 1  to C 4  ethers thereof.