The emulsion polymerizations of methacrylic acid (MAA), vinyl acetate (VAc), and methyl acrylate (MA) in different VAc/X1A molar concentrations (X-1, 0.232/0.813; X-2, 0.348/0.697, X-3, 0.456/0.581; X-4, 0.581/0.465; X-5, 0.697/0.348) and fixed MAA concentration (0.116 mol) were carried out using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; 34 mmol) as emulsifier and potassium persulphate (K2S2O8; 37 mmol) as initiator at 70 degrees C for 6 h in semicontinuous reaction mode. The average molecular weights (M-n,M-w) and the molecular weights distributions were determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). All terpolymers prepared showed monomodal molecular weights distributions. Glass transition (T-g), crystallization (T-c) and melting (T-m) temperatures and thermal stability of the prepared terpolymers were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The elongation percentage at rupture, tensile strength and accelerated thermal aging were determined for X1-5 terpolymers, as functions of the molar composition in the emulsion polymerization feed. The terpolymers prepared, X1-5 terpolymers, were tested as stiffening agents for cotton woven fabrics through crosslinking to cellulose, using sodium hypophosphite monohydrate ((NaH2PO2HO)-H-.) as catalyst. The effect of X1-5 compositions upon the stiffening efficiency was discussed. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.