Abstract: A seed polymerized latex polymer having a gradient polymeric morphology surrounding a latex seed core having a number average core size in the range from about 20 nanometers to about 60 nanometers is described. Also described is the process for preparing the seed polymerized latex polymer having a gradient polymeric morphology.

Abstract: A binder for use in high gloss latex paints comprises water, a copolymer, and less than about 1 weight percent surfactant. The copolymer comprises about 25 to about 60 weight percent soft monomer, about 40 to about 75 weight percent hard monomer, and about 1 to about 3 weight percent olefinic carboxylic acid monomer. In addition, the copolymer comprises about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent copolymerizable surfactant monomer and/or (i) about 0.5 to about 4 weight percent additional monomer selected from the group consisting of cyanoacetoxy-containing monomers and acetoacetoxy-containing monomers and (ii) about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent ethyleneureido-containing monomer.

Abstract: A polymer having an average molecular weight of less than about 150,000 and comprising about 3 to about 20 weight percent olefinic carboxylic acid and 80 to about 97 weight percent nonionic monomers is capable of enhancing (a) the gloss and (b) the flow and leveling characteristics of a latex paint.

Abstract: Monomers of formula I ##STR1## and/or monomers of formula II ##STR2## are used to make an emulsion for use in a latex paint. R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of monovalent alkyl radicals containing up to about 7 carbon atoms, R.sub.17 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.18 is a monovalent organic radical having an HLB value of about 17 to about 19, R.sub.23 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing up to about 5 carbon atoms, and R.sub.24 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl radicals containing up to about 5 carbon atoms. The resulting latex paint exhibits either improved flow leveling and/or film-build.

Abstract: Monomers of formula I ##STR1## and/or monomers of formula II ##STR2## are used to make an emulsion for use in a latex paint. R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of monovalent alkyl radicals containing up to about 7 carbon atoms, R.sub.17 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.18 is a monovalent organic radical having an HLB value of about 17 to about 19, R.sub.23 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing up to about 5 carbon atoms, and R.sub.24 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl radicals containing up to about 5 carbon atoms. The resulting latex paint exhibits either improved flow leveling and/or film-build.

Abstract: A polymeric emulsion comprising a (i) polymer, (ii) water, and (iii) a surfactant is useful for producing a water-resistant film. The polymer comprises about 25 to about 90 weight percent of a soft monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C., about 10 to about 75 weight percent of a hard monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C., about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an olefinic carboxylic acid, and about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a cross-linking agent. Typically, the polymer comprises less than about 1 weight percent surfactant and has a T.sub.g of about -50.degree. to about 50.degree. C. and an average particle size of less than about 250 nm. The emulsion generally comprises at least about 40 weight percent solids and has a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A polymeric emulsion comprising a (i) polymer, (ii) water, and (iii) a surfactant is useful as a binder for a water-based varnish that is resistant to water, 50% ethanol, and alkali. The polymer comprises about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a soft monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C. and about 60 to about 80 weight percent of a mixture of hard monomers each of whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C. As part of the hard monomer comonent of the polymer, the polymer comprises about 5 to about 25 weight percent acrylonitrile and about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an olefinic carboxylic acid. Typically, the polymer comprises less than about 1 weight percent surfactant and has a calculated T.sub.g of about 25.degree. to about 60.degree. C., an actual T.sub.g of about 30.degree. to about 70.degree. C., and an average particle size of less than about 250 nm.

Abstract: A polymeric emulsion comprising a (i) polymer, (ii) water, and (iii) a surfactant is useful as a binder for a water-based varnish that is resistant to water, 50% ethanol, and alkali. The polymer comprises about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a soft non-functional monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C., about 60 to about 80 weight percent of a hard non-functional monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C., about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an olefinic carboxylic acid, and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer. The hard monomer component of the polymer comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of alkenyl aromatic monomers, non-functional methacrylic monomers, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the polymer comprises less than about 1 weight percent surfactant and has a calculated T.sub.g of about 25.degree. to about 60.degree. C., an actual T.sub.g of about 30.degree. to about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A polymer having an average molecular weight of less than about 150,000 and comprising about 3 to about 20 weight percent olefinic carboxylic acid and 80 to about 97 weight percent nonionic monomers is capable of enhancing (a) the gloss and (b) the flow and leveling characteristics of a latex paint.

Abstract: Monomers of formula I ##STR1## and/or monomers of formula II ##STR2## are used to make an emulsion for use in a latex paint. R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of monovalent alkyl radicals containing up to about 7 carbon atoms, R.sub.17 is a divalent organic radical, R.sub.18 is a monovalent organic radical having an HLB value of about 17 to about 19, R.sub.23 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals containing up to about 5 carbon atoms, and R.sub.24 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and alkyl radicals containing up to abut 5 carbon atoms. The resulting latex paint exhibits either improved flow leveling and/or film-build.

Abstract: A core/shell polymer is capable of increasing a composition's whiteness or opacity. The core and shell polymers have either a crystalline structure or have a T.sub.g of at least about 50.degree. C. The core polymer has a different composition than the composition of the shell polymer. The core polymer comprises vinylidene halide monomers and/or vinyl halide monomers. The core and shell polymers are either homopolymers or copolymers.

Abstract: Latex-liopophilic polymers comprise of a lipophilic polymer and polymerized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer units are formed by polymerizing alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer units in an aqueous medium containing a lipophilic polymer, an initiation catalyst, and, optionally, a graft promoting system. Typically, the latex-lipophilic polymer is a graft polymer having the lipophilic polymer as its backbone, and a plurality of the polymerized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer unit grafted onto the lipophilic backbone.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a polymer and less than about 1 weight percent surfactant is useful for producing a high-gloss latex paint. The polymer comprises about 25 to about 60 weight percent of a soft monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C. and about 40 to about 75 weight percent of a hard monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C., and has a calculated T.sub.g of about 15.degree. to about 35.degree. C., an actual T.sub.g of about 10.degree. to about 60.degree. C., and a particle size of less than about 250 nm.

Abstract: Polymers comprised of a lipophilic polymer and polymerized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer units are formed by emulsion polymerizing alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer units in an aqueous medium containing a lipophilic polymer having a pendant vinyl group and an initiation catalyst.

Abstract: A core/shell polymer is capable of increasing a composition's whiteness of opacity. The shell polymer has either a crystalline structure of a T.sub.g of at least about 50.degree. C. The shell polymer comprises (i) at least one nonionic monomer selected from the group consisting of soft alkyl acrylate monomers, soft methacrylate ester monomers, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) at least one additional nonionic monomer. The core has a different composition than the composition of the shell and a T.sub.g of at least about 50.degree. C. The core comprises alkenyl aromatic monomers. The core and shell polymers are homopolymers or copolymers.

Abstract: A core/shell polymer is capable of increasing a composition's whiteness or opacity. The core and shell polymers have either a crystalline structure or have a T.sub.g of at least about 50.degree. C. The core polymer has a different composition than the composition of the shell polymer. The core polymer comprises vinylidene halide monomers and/or vinyl halide monomers. The core and shell polymers are either homopolymers or copolymers.

Abstract: Polymer opaque particles and a process for making same are disclosed. These particles comprise an emulsion polymerized core copolymer having, as one constituent thereof, between about 15% and about 40% by weight of a monomer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, nitro, amino nitrile, hydroxyl and halogen groups, and organic radicals such as substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups, R.sub.3 is selected from hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted organic radicals such as alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups and A is an organic or inorganic bridge connecting the illustrated atoms, the remainder being a mixture of selected olefinically unsaturated acid and ester monomers, said core particles, in turn being encapsulated with an emulsion polymerized sheath copolymer comprised of one or more nonionic olefinically unsaturated monomers to produce said opaque particles.

Abstract: Polymer opaque particles and a process for making same are disclosed. These particles comprise an emulsion polymerized core copolymer having, as one constituent thereof, between about 15% and about 40% by weight of a monomer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, nitro, amino nitrile, hydroxyl and halogen groups, and organic radicals such as substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups, R.sub.3 is selected from hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted organic radicals such as alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups and A is an organic or inorganic bridge connecting the illustrated atoms, the remainder being a mixture of selected olefinically unsaturated acid and ester monomers, said core particles, in turn being encapsulated with an emulsion polymerized sheath copolymer comprised of one or more nonionic olefinically unsaturated monomers to produce said opague particles.

Abstract: A laminated structure comprises an ionomer polyethylene carboxylate-containing film secured to a second film through a vinylidene chloride copolymer adhesive wherein the vinylidene chloride copolymer includes on a comonomer weight basis:(a) from about 45 to about 90 percent vinylidene chloride,(b) from about 5 to about 25 percent of a polar comonomer having one or more hydroxyl groups, and(c) from about 0 to about 30 percent of a plasticizing monomer for vinylidene chloridein combination with:(d) a cross-linking agent dissolved in the continuous aqueous phase of the vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Abstract: An adhesive composition, particularly useful for laminating carboxylate-containing films, comprises an aqueous dispersion of a film-forming vinylidene chloride copolymer wherein the vinylidene chloride copolymer includes on a comonomer weight basis:(a) from about 45 to about 90 percent vinylidene chloride,(b) from about 5 to about 25 percent of a polar comonomer having one or more hydroxyl groups, and(c) from about 0 to about 30 percent of a plasticizing monomer for vinylidene chloridein combination with:(d) a cross-linking agent for hydroxyl groups selected from the group consisting of dialdehydes having between two and ten carbon atoms and compounds containing methylol groups dissolved in the continuous aqueous phase of the vinylidene chloride copolymer.