Abstract: The present invention provides fiber cement articles, such as roof tiles having improved impact and hail resistance and methods for making them. The fiber cement articles comprise cement, an optional filler, reinforcing fibers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers or a mixture of cellulosic and synthetic fibers, one or more core-shell aqueous emulsion polymers having a crosslinked rubbery core with a calculated glass transition temperature (calculated Tg) of from ?20 to ?140° C., and an at least partially grafted acrylic or vinyl shell polymer having a calculated Tg of from 20 to 170° C., and having a Z-average primary particle size of from 55 to 800 nm, or, preferably, from 140 to 650 nm. The solids weight ratio of the crosslinked rubbery core to the shell of the core-shell aqueous emulsion polymer may range from 85:20 to 97:3.

Abstract: A particle having an average diameter from 80 to 500 nm and having a core containing at least one compound having a ?max in the range from 250 to 400 nm and a cross-linked polymeric shell.

Abstract: A precision fragmentation assemblage is disclosed, along with precision fragmentation assemblage catalysts derivable therefrom. A method for the preparation of a precision fragmentation assemblage is also disclosed, along with a method for preparing precision fragmentation assemblage catalysts from precision fragmentation assemblages. A method is further disclosed for using precision fragmentation catalysts in the polymerization of olefins to produce polyolefins.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising polymer particles of one or more multistage aqueous emulsion, at least one of which is a multistage aqueous emulsion copolymer comprising polymerized units derived from monomer X in at least one stage, wherein monomer X is selected from polymerizable derivatives of imidazole, imidazoline, amidine, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyrrolidinone, caprolactam, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising polymer particles of one or more aqueous emulsion copolymer and a homopolymer comprising polymerized units derived from monomer X, wherein monomer X is selected from polymerizable derivatives of imidazole, imidazoline, amidine, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyrrolidinone, caprolactam, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for isolating particles from an emulsion including the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion having a solid component having a population of particles, a liquid component, and a first ionic forming compound, wherein the presence of the first ionic forming compound in the emulsion does not result in the coagulation of the population of particles contained therein; (b) obtaining a composition having a second ionic forming compound which, by itself, is not sufficient to result in the coagulation of the population of particles contained in the emulsion; and (c) mixing the emulsion and the composition having the second ionic compound such that the first ionic forming compound reacts with the second ionic forming compound to form a coagulating agent which results in the coagulation of the population of particles. The invention also provides processes for preparing a polymer matrix system using the aforementioned process for isolating particles from an emulsion.

Abstract: The plastics additives powder compositions of the present invention are provided as powder particles having impact modifier particles and processing aid particles which are coagulated and dried. When blended in thermoplastic resins, such as PVC, the subject plastics additives powders both increase the impact strength and improve process efficiency and melt strength. The impact and processing properties achieved by the present invention are more efficient than using separate impact modifier and processing aid powders. The method of preparing the powder compositions of the present invention also enable impact modifier particles having rubber weight fractions greater than 88% to be isolated as free-flowing powders.

Abstract: A precision fragmentation assemblage is disclosed, along with precision fragmentation assemblage catalysts derivable therefrom. A method for the preparation of a precision fragmentation assemblage is also disclosed, along with a method for preparing precision fragmentation assemblage catalysts from precision fragmentation assemblages. A method is further disclosed for using precision fragmentation catalysts in the polymerization of olefins to produce polyolefins.

Abstract: A multimodal polymer particle composition containing two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of less than 90 weight percent is provided. Also disclosed is a process for preparing multimodal polymer particle compositions that can be dried to a powder. Multimodal polymer particle dispersions are disclosed for preparing impact modifiers that can be dried to a powder. Also provided are polymeric compositions having a matrix resin component and impact modifiers prepared from multimodal polymer particles.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a powdery high rubber impact modifier containing two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of greater than 90 weight percent is provided. Also provided are various methods of preparing aqueous polymer particle dispersions having two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of greater than 90 weight percent. These dispersions are spray-driable into a powder and are useful for increasing the impact strength of various matrix resins.

Abstract: A multimodal polymer particle composition containing two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of less than 90 weight percent is provided. Also disclosed is a process for preparing multimodal polymer particle compositions that can be dried to a powder. Multimodal polymer particle dispersions are disclosed for preparing impact modifiers that can be dried to a powder. Also provided are polymeric compositions having a matrix resin component and impact modifiers prepared from multimodal polymer particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric additive systems and processes for preparing polymeric additive systems which contain a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the weight fraction of the solid component is more than 50%. The present invention also provides polymeric compositions and processes for preparing polymeric compositions that include a polymeric component and a polymeric additive system which contains a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the weight fraction of the solid component is more than 50%. The disclosed compositions and processes are useful in the preparation of polymeric materials and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and processes for preparing polymeric materials having polymerizable units derived from at least one C8 to C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, and at least one chain branching unit. The presence of the chain branching unit suprisingly results in the polymeric composition having non-gelled polymer chains. The polymeric compositions are useful as additives for improving the melt strength of thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple polymeric additive systems and processes for preparing multiple polymeric additive systems which contain a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the solid component contains two or more polymeric additive particles having different compositions. The present invention also provides polymeric compositions and processes for preparing polymeric compositions that include a polymeric component and a multiple polymeric additive system which contains a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the solid component contains two or more polymeric additive particles having different compositions. The disclosed compositions and processes are useful in the preparation of polymeric materials and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: The plastics additives powder compositions of the present invention are provided as powder particles having impact modifier particles and processing aid particles which are coagulated and dried. When blended in thermoplastic resins, such as PVC, the subject plastics additives powders both increase the impact strength and improve process efficiency and melt strength. The impact and processing properties achieved by the present invention are more efficient than using separate impact modifier and processing aid powders. The method of preparing the powder compositions of the present invention also enable impact modifier particles having rubber weight fractions greater than 88% to be isolated as free-flowing powders.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plurality of particles having a narrow particle size distribution, a processes for forming the same, and films containing the same. The plurality of particles, includes one or more discrete polymer shells, wherein at least one of the polymer shells is crosslinked with at least one monomer containing two or more double bonds polymerizable by free radical means; and a core material encased in the polymer shells, wherein the plurality of particles have a polydispersity of from 1.3 to 1.0.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for isolating particles from an emulsion including the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion having a solid component having a population of particles, a liquid component, and a first ionic forming compound, wherein the presence of the first ionic forming compound in the emulsion does not result in the coagulation of the population of particles contained therein; (b) obtaining a composition having a second ionic forming compound which, by itself, is not sufficient to result in the coagulation of the population of particles contained in the emulsion; and (c) mixing the emulsion and the composition having the second ionic compound such that the first ionic forming compound reacts with the second ionic forming compound to form a coagulating agent which results in the coagulation of the population of particles. The invention also provides processes for preparing a polymer matrix system using the aforementioned process for isolating particles from an emulsion.

Abstract: A powdery high rubber impact modifier composition containing two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of greater than 90 weight percent is provided. Aqueous polymer particle dispersions for preparing these high rubber impact modifiers which can be spray dried to a powder are also provided. Also provided are polymeric compositions having a matrix resin component and the powdery high-rubber impact modifiers.

Abstract: The plastics additives powder compositions of the present invention are provided as powder particles having impact modifier particles and processing aid particles which are coagulated and dried. When blended in thermoplastic resins, such as PVC, the subject plastics additives powders both increase the impact strength and improve process efficiency and melt strength. The impact and processing properties achieved by the present invention are more efficient than using separate impact modifier and processing aid powders. The method of preparing the powder compositions of the present invention also enable impact modifier particles having rubber weight fractions greater than 88% to be isolated as free-flowing powders.

Abstract: A multimodal polymer particle composition containing two or more populations of polymer particles having a total rubbery weight fraction of less than 90 weight percent is provided. Also disclosed is a process for preparing multimodal polymer particle compositions that can be dried to a powder. Multimodal polymer particle dispersions are disclosed for preparing impact modifiers that can be dried to a powder. Also provided are polymeric compositions having a matrix resin component and impact modifiers prepared from multimodal polymer particles.