Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising: a) dispersing a first monomer mixture comprising least one least monomer, the first monomer mixture having a total glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of from ?10° C. to ?50° C. with a surfactant and an initiator in an aqueous medium; b) when the first monomer mixture is at least 85% dispersed, adding a second monomer mixture comprising at least one monomer, the second monomer mixture having a Tg at least 20° C. greater than the Tg of the first monomer mixture, to the aqueous medium; and c) forming a polymer with the first and second monomer mixtures. Also disclosed is a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising the polymer formed by this method.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate comprising the steps of: a) emulsion polymerizing at least one mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomer an emulsion polymer; and b) neutralizing the emulsion polymer with a neutralizer selected from the group consisting of an amine having a pKb of 4 to 7, an alkali hydroxide, and combinations thereof to form the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) contacting a nonwoven substrate with said aqueous nonwoven binder to form a contacted nonwoven substrate; d) heating the contacted nonwoven substrate to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C. to form a heated contacted nonwoven substrate; and e) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium having a final pH of less than 5.5 to provide a dispersible nonwoven substrate wherein the aqueous medium contains a buffer comprising a mixture of citric acid and sodium citrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of contacting a fibrous substrate with an aqueous nonwoven binder comprising an emulsion polymer having a polydispersity index of at least 10, a weight average molecular weight of less than 1,000,000 and from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent acid monomer, based on the weight of the emulsion polymer, is disclosed. The aqueous nonwoven binder can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: a) emulsion polymerizing at least one mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one acid monomer in an aqueous solution using an initiator wherein the initiator is present in the aqueous solution in an amount in the range of from 0.5 weight percent to 1.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium including: a) forming an aqueous nonwoven binder including a selected emulsion polymer wherein the polymer has been modified with a compound comprising a tri-substituted N-atom, the compound having a pKb of from 4 to 7; b) contacting a nonwoven substrate with the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) heating the contacted nonwoven to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C.; and d) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven in an aqueous medium having a final pH<5 is provided. A dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium formed by the preceding method and a method for providing a dispersed nonwoven in an aqueous medium are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium including: a) forming an aqueous nonwoven binder including a selected emulsion polymer wherein the polymer has been modified with a compound comprising a tri-substituted N-atom, the compound having a pKb of from 4 to 7; b) contacting a nonwoven substrate with the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) heating the contacted nonwoven to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C.; and d) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven in an aqueous medium having a final pH<5 is provided. A dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium formed by the preceding method and a method for providing a dispersed nonwoven in an aqueous medium are also provided.

Abstract: An aqueous nonwoven binder including an emulsion polymer including, as copolymerized units: from 0.1% to 5% monoethylenically-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer by weight, based on the weight of the emulsion polymer; and from 12% to 22% monoethylenically-unsaturated monoacid monomer by weight, based on the weight of the emulsion polymer wherein the calculated Tg of the emulsion polymer is from ?20° C. to 30° C. that is capable of providing a useful balance of wet strength and dispersibility to a treated nonwoven substrate is provided.

Abstract: A cold seal adhesive comprising a multi-stage polymer having a low-Tg first stage and a high-Tg second stage.

Abstract: Protective film forming compositions useful as medical films and other related wound care and treatment articles, including liquid bandages are prepared from emulsion polymers, including a polymer blend including at least one hard emulsion polymer component and at least one soft emulsion polymer component, having the required dynamic storage modulus and mean Tg of the hard and soft polymer blend components.

Abstract: A two-component bonding agent composition of an aqueous component having a polyol and an acrylic-styrene polymer, and an isocyanate component having a water dispersible polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A cold seal adhesive comprising a multi-stage polymer having a low-Tg first stage and a high-Tg second stage.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of plastics additive polymer particles using emulsion polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of a free radical redox initiator system is described. The free radical redox initiator system uses an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, and a combination of metal ion species. The plastics additive polymer particles are useful as processing aids and impact modifiers in PVC articles.

Abstract: An aqueous leather coating composition and a method for coating leather with the aqueous coating composition containing a multi-stage emulsion polymer which has been contacted with a transition metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate is provided. The leather coating fulfills desirable protective and aesthetic functions.