The influences of drying temperature, ageing time and ageing temperature on the film formation in coalescing agent containing latex films were investigated via turbidity measurements and atomic force microscopy. Coalescing agents used are 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (TEX) and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EB). Latex films were dried at different temperatures. At a drying temperature of 40 degrees C, the differences in immersion patterns of neat and 1% coalescing agent containing late., films are too small to show significant improvement in film formation during I h of drying. Increase of the temperature from 40 to 50 degrees C. however, causes an improvement in film formation. At higher temperatures (95 degrees C), fast removal of the liquid phase cannot be prevented by the addition of 1% coalescing agent. Although addition of higher amounts of coalescing agent results in an increase of particle deformation and film surface smoothness, it intensifies also the water absorption of dried films. Ageing below the MFFT does not result in a significant improvement of film formation in the presence of 1% coalescing agent. Above the MFFT, coalescing agents act more efficiently and cause an improvement in film formation. By addition of higher amounts of coalescing agent the completion of the film formation process is delayed: for example, by the addition of 15% EB, nearly 1 year of ageing at room temperature is required for an efficient result. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.