Abstract: Residual levels of monomeric ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters such as alkyl acrylate and methacrylates, especially ethyl, butyl and "iso-hexyl" acrylates and methacrylates, in surfactant stabilised dispersions of polymers of the monomer(s) such as latices or products formulated from latices, are reduced by treatment with a hydrolytic enzyme, particularly a lipase or esterase. The treatment reduces and can obviate the perceived bad odour of the dispersions arising from the presence of the monomers.

Abstract: A water-based autoxidizable coating composition, especially a gloss or partial gloss coating composition (e.g. paint, varnish, woodstain or timber preservative) suitable for application at ambient temperatures which comprises water, preferably organic cosolvent and a partially esterified carboxylic acid film-forming copolymer at least partially neutralized by monovalent cations wherein the copolymer contains added 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl groups or certain analogues derived from addition of allyl glycidyl ether or certain of its analogues to carboxylic acid groups, in a copolymeric backbone portion derivable from a prepolymer of weight average molecular weight less than 30 000. The partially esterified copolymer has an acid value of 25 to 60 and preferably a dynamic solution viscosity of 1 to 500 Pa.sec measured in 1-methoxy-2-hydroxy propane by oscillatory parallel plate rheometer. The coatings lap well, dry quickly and achieve acceptable water resistance.

Abstract: A film-forming thixotropic binder system for imparting sag resistance to coating compositions comprising the product obtained by reacting an isocyanate preferably having a molecular weight of at least 400 and comprising more than two isocyanate groups (preferably an isocyanurate trimer obtained from di-isocyanates) with a polyamine and optionally a monoamine in the presence of a film-forming carboxylic acid copolymer having an acid value of at least 25 mg KOH/g copolymer. The binder composition may be neutralized by alkali to produce a salt soluble in an aqueous coating composition. Also detailed processes for making the binder system.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions comprise a polymer of defined molecular weight which contains either anionizable or cationizable groups and also certain defined non-ionizable water-soluble moieties (derived for example from polyethylene glycol), water, optionally an organic coupling solvent and optionally either base or acid. The presence of regularly distributed non-ionizable water-soluble moieties enables the selection of aqueous polymer solutions which, on dilution, show a regular relationship between viscosity and solids content. The polymer solutions are useful in the formulation of coating compositions, particularly paints.

Abstract: Coating films are prepared by exposing to oxygen, particularly at ambient temperatures, a composition comprising (a) a film-forming material comprising moieties of an ethylenically unsaturated fatty acid containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and (b) a strong acid which is fully dissociated in water. Suitable film-forming materials are oil-modified alkyd resins and suitable acids are alkyl/aryl sulphonic acids. Curable compositions and polymeric products, optionally modified with non-autoxidisable polymerizable materials, are also provided.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprise a blend of(1) a dispersion in an organic liquid comprising a major proportion of aliphatic hydrocarbon of particles of a polyisocyanate or adduct thereof insoluble in the organic liquid the dispersion being stabilized by a defined polymeric stabilizer and,(2) a solution in a solvent comprising a major proportion of aliphatic hydrocarbon of a material containing groups which are reactive with isocyanate groups contained in or yielded by the polyisocyanate of the dispersion.