Abstract: Described is a process for making acrylic resins suitable as polymeric surfactants used in emulsion polymerization, as pigment grinding resins and for preparing dispersions used as overprint varnishes. The feedstock is styrene, &agr;-methyl styrene, acrylic acid and a polymerization initiator and is preferably free of solvent. This mix is passed through a continuous tube reactor run at a controlled range of pressure and relatively low residence time and temperature. Optimally, when the polymer/unreacted monomers blend exits the reactor and is devolatilized, the recovered monomers are used to make up part of the feedstock.

Abstract: Described is a process for making acrylic resins suitable as polymeric surfactants used in emulsion polymerization, as pigment grinding resins and for preparing dispersions used as overprint varnishes. The feedstock is styrene, .alpha.-methyl styrene, acrylic acid and a polymerization initiator and is preferably free of solvent. This mix is passed through a continuous tube reactor run at a controlled range of pressure and relatively low residence time and temperature. Optimally, when the polymer/unreacted monomers blend exits the reactor and is devolatilized, the recovered monomers are used to make up part of the feedstock.

Abstract: A method of preparing a pigment dispersion useful in the preparation of printing inks is provided. Said method comprises dispersing a pigment in an aqueous medium further comprised of a dispersing binder resin composition, said aqueous medium being essentially free of volatile organic solvents and said dispersing binder resin consisting essentially of the reaction product of a mixture of X equivalent percent of an acid component and Z equivalent percent of an amine component wherein the acid component is comprised of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid alone or in a mixture with an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having from 2-25 carbon atoms, and said amine component is comprised of a mixture of a diamine and monoalkanol amine and the ratio of Z:X is less than 1 to provide a polyamide having an acid value greater than about 35. This invention also relates to printing inks comprising the pigment dispersion composition of this invention and a method of preparation thereof.

Abstract: A flexible packaging printing ink is formulated from a resin binder (e.g. an alcohol soluble polyamide or a water-dispersible polyacrylate), pigment, solvent (e.g. a lower alkanol or water), and an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant. Related methods, compositions and articles are also provided. A method of preparing a polyamide resin by condensing a dibasic acid mixture with a diamine mixture and melt blending the resin with an alkyl polyglycoside is also provided. These polymers are particularly useful as the binder for a flexible packaging laminating ink composition.

Abstract: Water soluble polyamide resins are produced from an excess aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a diamine. The resin can be used in inks.

Abstract: Polyamide resins are prepared from aromatic dicarboxylic acids and which are substantially free of dimeric or higher polymeric fat acids. The resins generally have improved alkaline water solubility or dispersibility having substantially lower solution viscosities than prior polyamide resins. The harder resins with their water solubility find particular utility as ink binders. The softer resins find utility as a film layer bonding two flexible substrates.

Abstract: Polyamide resins useful as binders in flexographic/gravure inks are provided which are essentially free of polyeric fat acids. These polyamide resins exhibit improved water solubility, yet still retain the other many desirable properties of polyamide resins based on polymeric fat acids. The resins are acid terminated having acid values greater than 30 and are prepared from medium chain (12-26 carbons) dicarboxylic acids such as the C.sub.21 acid, 2-n-hexyl-5-(7-carboxyl-n-heptyl)-cyclohex-3-ene carboxylic acid, and aliphatic diamines having from 2-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Polymeric fat acid polyamides are disclosed useful in the flexographic ink industry, to provide products which will comply with environmental protection standards. The improvement lies in the use of acid termination with acid values of 8-20 and a sufficient amount of unsaturated monomeric fatty acids to provide a molecular weight product which will permit relatively high solids levels and reduced solvent emission while maintaining good ink varnish properties.