Abstract: A powdery opacifying additive, comprising a polymer of one or more monomers from the group comprising vinyl esters, (meth)acrylic esters, vinylaromatics, olefins, 1,3 dienes and vinyl halides and, if appropriate, further monomers which are copolymerizable therewith, in the form of agglomerated polymer particles with included air-voids, having a volume mean particle size dv of 20 to 80 ?m.

Abstract: A powdery opacifying additive, comprising a polymer of one or more monomers from the group comprising vinyl esters, (meth)acrylic esters, vinylaromatics, olefins, 1,3 dienes and vinyl halides and, if appropriate, further monomers which are copolymerizable therewith, in the form of agglomerated polymer particles with included air-voids, having a volume mean particle size dv of 20 to 80 ?m.

Abstract: A method of improving the wet tensile strength of a cellulose-containing web includes applying to the web an aqueous binder emulsion and subsequently drying and curing the binder emulsion. The aqueous binder emulsion is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising vinyl acetate, ethylene, and an olefinically unsaturated crosslinking monomer in the presence of a phosphate ester surfactant wherein the at least one crosslinking monomer comprises a (meth)acrylamide moiety and a cellulose-reactive moiety. The binder emulsion may be applied to a cellulose-containing web to increase wet strength, aid in creping, or both.

Abstract: A method of improving the wet tensile strength of a cellulose-containing web includes applying to the web an aqueous binder emulsion and subsequently drying and curing the binder emulsion. The aqueous binder emulsion is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising vinyl acetate, ethylene, and an olefinically unsaturated crosslinking monomer in the presence of a phosphate ester surfactant wherein the at least one crosslinking monomer comprises a (meth)acrylamide moiety and a cellulose-reactive moiety. The binder emulsion may be applied to a cellulose-containing web to increase wet strength, aid in creping, or both.

Abstract: A cellulosic product such as paper coating composition is disclosed comprising aqueous-based semi-crystalline vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer emulsions, containing crystalline ethylene segments, which are useful for imparting oil, grease, solvent, water, and moisture vapor resistance. The polymer emulsions are prepared via the direct aqueous-based free radical emulsion polymerization of ethylene with various other comonomers. The semi-crystalline aqueous-based polymer emulsions of this invention have a crystalline melting point and a crystalline heat of fusion ranging from 5 to 100 J/g. The semi-crystalline aqueous-based emulsion polymers of this invention can be used directly as a paper or paperboard coating for imparting oil, grease, solvent, water, and moisture vapor resistance. Further, the present invention provides a repulpable paper and paperboard.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved nonwoven product comprising a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with a sufficient amount of binder comprised of a polymer comprised of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer to form a self-sustaining web. The improvement in the nonwoven product resides in the use of a polymer having a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 90° C., preferably 50 to 80° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute. The polymer should have a crystalline heat of fusion (Hf), which typically range from about 2 to about 50 joules per gram and a low glass transition temperature (Tg), e.g., from 10 to ?40° C., typically ?15 to ?35° C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to aqueous-based ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer emulsions suited for use in heat seal applications. The EVA polymers of this invention are produced by a relatively low-pressure process, i.e., less than 2000 psig, preferably from about 1000 to about 2000 psig. The aqueous-based EVA based polymer emulsions contain crystalline segments resulting from ethylene linkages and are prepared by emulsion polymerizing ethylene and vinyl acetate, preferably with a carboxylic monomer, in the presence of a stabilizing system containing surfactant or a cellulosic protective colloid in combination with surfactant.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved nonwoven product comprising a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with a sufficient amount of binder comprised of a polymer comprised of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer to form a self-sustaining web. The improvement in the nonwoven product resides in the use of a polymer having a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 90° C., preferably 50 to 80° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute. The polymer should have a crystalline heat of fusion (Hf), which typically range from about 2 to about 50 joules per gram and a low glass transition temperature (Tg), e.g., from 10 to −40° C., typically −15 to −35° C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to aqueous-based ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer emulsions suited for use in heat seal applications. The EVA polymers of this invention are produced by a relatively low-pressure process, i.e., less than 2000 psig, preferably from about 1000 to about 2000 psig. The aqueous-based EVA based polymer emulsions contain crystalline segments resulting from ethylene linkages and are prepared by emulsion polymerizing ethylene and vinyl acetate, preferably with a carboxylic monomer, in the presence of a stabilizing system containing surfactant or a cellulosic protective colloid in combination with surfactant.

Abstract: Aqueous based emulsion copolymers containing vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and aqueous based poly(vinyl alcohol)-containing emulsion copolymers formed by emulsion copolymerization of vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and optionally one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol). These emulsion copolymers can be used in a variety of applications such as adhesives and coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the control of biocontamination in aqueous based polymeric emulsions contained in vessels having a headspace. The improvement comprises monitoring the carbon dioxide concentration in the headspace of the vessel using a direct reading carbon dioxide probe; and, then adding biocide when a preselected concentration of carbon dioxide above the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is reached.

Abstract: Aqueous based emulsion copolymers containing vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and aqueous based poly(vinyl alcohol)-containing emulsion copolymers formed by emulsion copolymerization of vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and optionally one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol). These emulsion copolymers can be used in a variety of applications such as adhesives and coatings.

Abstract: Aqueous based emulsion copolymers containing vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and aqueous based poly(vinyl alcohol)-containing emulsion copolymers formed by emulsion copolymerization of vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl acetate, and optionally one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol). These emulsion copolymers can be used in a variety of applications such as adhesives and coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved vinyl acetate ethylene pressure sensitive adhesive emulsion polymers. The improvement in the aqueous based, emulsion polymerized pressure sensitive adhesives resides in: a high ethylene content copolymer having a Tg of from −25 to −70° C.; a tensile storage modulus measured at one hertz and at a temperature of −20° C. embraced by the points on a plot of storage modulus and temperature of from 1 times 106 and the points 4 times 109 dynes/cm2 and less that 1 times 107 dynes/cm2 measured at 50° C.

Abstract: Mortar formulations comprising a hydraulic cement and a PVOH stabilized acrylic latex or a spray dried redispersible powder made from the PVOH stabilized acrylic latex are disclosed. These include formulations suitable for use as tile mortars, patching mortars, EIFS base coats and grouts. An acrylic latex that, when formulated with hydraulic cement, has performance advantages over other latex resins in mortar, patch and exterior insulation and finishing systems. The spray dried, redispersible acrylic emulsion polymer that, when formulated with hydraulic cement, has comparable or better performance than a liquid latex in mortars and patches.

Abstract: This invention is an emulsion composition comprised of acrylic ester monomers polymerized in the presence of fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) or a partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) provided the molecular weight of the low molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) is from 5,000 to 13,000 as the only stabilizer and a chain transfer agent. The improvement over the known prior art is the ability to incorporate fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) without the need for other surfactants or special processing.

Abstract: Heterogeneous polymer mixtures comprising a polymer in liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 are stabilized by employing a poly(propylene oxide) or poly(butylene oxide) based surfactant. These surfactants are especially well suited for stabilizing heterogeneous polymer mixtures formed by micronizing techniques as well as by precipitation of a compressed fluid antisolvent applications.

Abstract: Flexible epoxy resins are made by curing the epoxy with an amine curing agent in the presence of a low molecular weight acrylate copolymer made from a major amount of a lower aliphatic ester or amide of acrylic or methacrylic acid and a minor amount of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having functionality reactive with functional groups present in the epoxy resin or its curing agent. The acrylate copolymer has a number average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 6000, preferably 2000 to 3000, and a ratio of weight average to number average molecular weight in the range of 1 to 3.5. Copolymers of butylacrylate and acrylic acid or maleic anhydride are favored. Further advantages are realized by including in the cure formulation a monofunctional diluent reactive with the curative.