Eastman AQ™ 38S is a sulfopolyester polymer easily dispersed in water without emulsifying agents, surfactants, or cosolvents. The AQ™ 38S polymer has a Tg of 38°C and forms highly flexible films.

Compared to other water-soluble polymers, such as PVP and PVOH, Eastman AQ™ 38S forms extremely small, negatively charged aggregates when dispersed in water. These aggregates are much smaller than particles in typical polymer emulsions and latexes, allowing for a dispersion to be made without the need for surfactants or dispersants and permitting rapid film formation. In addition, this lends to a low minimum film formation temperature and faster drying times, making AQ™ 38S a highly efficient film former in various formulations.

Eastman AQ™ 38S features excellent adhesion to materials such as paper, plastic film, wood, and textiles, which are common substrates for coatings and inks. In these applications, AQ™ 38S also contributes to high gloss and dispersion capacity for pigments.