Abstract: The present invention provides substantially nonionic brush polymers having pendant polyether groups, preferably poly(alkylene glycol) groups, which polymers are useful as synthetic polymer substitutes for cellulose ethers in mortars and hydraulic binders. The brush polymers are preferably crosslinked, such as with ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylates.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous compositions that are stable after at least a 24 hour period comprising a polysaccharide viscosity modifying additive and more than 60 wt. %, based on the weight of total solids in the compositions of one or more polycarboxylate ether, the compositions comprising an acid chosen from an organic acid having 1 hydroxy group or less, a strong acid containing a single hydrogen, an ascorbic acid, and mixtures thereof, the compositions having a pH of less than the pH of the polycarboxylate ether itself, or from 1.0 to 6.0. The present invention enables stable concentrates of aqueous polycarboxylate ethers and polysaccharide viscosity modifying agents for use in hydraulic binder applications, the compositions having a total solids content of 10 wt. % to as high as 65 wt. %.

Abstract: A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a methylcellulose, and a liquid diluent, wherein the methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.