Acrylic latexes are among one of the most widely used binders in the chemical bonding of textile nonwovens. This article investigates the crosslinking process of functionalized acrylic latices to understand the binder behavior during the processing of nonwovens and in the final product. Two techniques are used: rheology, to follow the structural development within the latex polymer, and thermogravimetry, to investigate the reaction through the weight loss resulting from the formation of evolving side products. The work has been carried out on latices functionalized by two crosslinking agents: N-methylol acrylamide (NMA) and N-methylol methacrylamide (NMMA). The results highlight the importance of the nature of the crosslinking agent, especially, its hydrophilic character, and the influence of the pH of the latex dispersions on the crosslinking mechanism, as well as on the final mechanical properties of the latex films. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.