Abstract: Stable water-borne polymer compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise a water-borne polymer, a metal cross-linking agent and a stabilizing agent comprising from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and at least two functional groups independently selected from hydroxy and carboxy. The stabilizing agent is present at 1.4 mole percent or more of the amount of metal cross-linking agent. Inventive compositions are particularly suitable for use in water-based inks and coatings. Methods of making and using the coating compositions are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides chain extenders made from epoxy-functional (meth)acrylic monomers and styrenic and/or (meth)acrylic monomers. The invention further provides polymeric compositions made from the chain extenders and plastic articles made from the compositions. Finally, the invention provides methods of using the chain extenders to improve the properties of virgin, recycled, and reprocessed condensation polymers.

Abstract: A continuous bulk polymerization and esterification process includes continuously charging into a reaction zone at least one ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer and at least one linear or branched chain alkanol having greater than 11 carbon atoms. The process includes maintaining a flow rate through the reaction zone sufficient to provide an average residence time of less than 60 minutes and maintaining a temperature in the reaction zone sufficient to produce a polymeric product incorporating at least some of the alkanol as an ester of the polymerized ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer. The polymeric product is used in various processes to produce water-based compositions including emulsions and dispersions such as oil emulsions, wax dispersions, pigment dispersions, surfactants and coatings which contain the polymeric product.

Abstract: Oligomer-modified anionically polymerized polymers, reinforced materials made with the polymers and articles made from the reinforced materials are provided. The oligomer-modified polymers are made by reacting anionically polymerized polymers with low molecular weight acrylic oligomers. The oligomer-modified polymers may be used as adhesives, compatibilizers, reinforcing agents and impact modifiers.

Abstract: High flow engineering thermoplastic compositions made from a thermoplastic host polymer and a low molecular weight flow modifier polymer, and products made therefrom. The flow modifier polymer is made by polymerizing at least one vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one (meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high temperature continuous polymerization and condensation process for preparing a polymeric product. The process includes continuously charging into a reaction zone: at least one radically-polymerizable monomer having a radically polymerizable group and at least one condensation reactive functionality; and at least one modifying agent having a functional group capable of reacting with the condensation reactive functionality. The reaction zone includes at least one primary reactor, but may, and preferably does, contain a secondary reactor. The process further includes maintaining an effective temperature in the primary reactor to cause polymerization of the monomer and to allow at least a portion of the condensation reactive functionality to react with the functional group of the modifying agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hyperbranched polymers comprising heating a polymerizable reaction charge comprising (a) a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.1% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.1-50% by weight of one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) if at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the monomer mixture is not a thermally initiating monomer, a free radical polymerization initiator, to a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 400° C. in a continuous reactor which allows mixing of the reactor contents for a residence time of from about 2 minutes to about 60 minutes, provided that if the total amount of multiethylenically unsaturated monomer is less than 3% by weight of the monomer mixture than at least one of said one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers must be tri- or greater ethylenically unsaturated. The hyperbranched polymers prepared by this process are also described.