High solids, low viscosity urethane-linkage containing latex and method of production thereof

A latex comprising polymer having a urethane linkage, wherein said urethane-containing latex is formed during a singe processing step that includes emulsion polymerization and urethane linkage formation in the presence of a surfactant or emulsifying agent by polymerizing isocyanate with a monomer mixture, said monomer mixture including at least one isocyanate reactive monomer (A) and at least one additional monomer (B), said monomers (A) and (B) selected from the group consisting of alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers, vinyl esters of linear or branched carboxyli acids, styrene or styrene derivatives, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acids, wet adhesion monomers, carbonyl containing monomers, ionic monomers, phosphorus containing monomers, sulfur containing monomers and a combination thereof, wherein the isocyanate and the monomer mixture are combined prior to polymerization and not after, and wherein the solids content of the latex is greater than or equal to 47%, the viscosity is less than 3000 centipoise, the particle size is less than or equal to 500 nm, and the coagulum content as measured by weighing undispersed polymer in water after drying at 110° C. for 1 hour is less than 2%.