Abstract: Fibrous product is externally sized by applying to the material a basic aqueous dispersion of an interpolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid comonomer. The preferred dispersions which have lower initial viscosities provide dispersion/starch dilute solutions with higher viscosities and improved external sizing effectiveness. Resulting fibrous products are adequately sized and exhibit excellent printability and strength properties.

Abstract: Novel microporous fibers and filaments are prepared from normally solid, thermoplastic, orientable, organic polymers which have reactive or reactable groups pendent from the polymer chain, employing a process which involves reactions of said pendent groups while the polymer is in an oriented condition. One of the preferred polymers is a copolymer of ethylene/acrylic acid.

Abstract: Novel ionomers of normally solid, thermo-plastic, orientable, copolymers of ethylene and at least one alpha,beta-ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid having a relatively high content of the carboxylic acid are prepared under conditions whereby the copolymers are essentially solubilized in a strong base and contacted with at least one compound which contains ionomer-forming cations. One of the preferred polymers is an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer. The so-formed ionomers are useful as materials for constructing various items and articles.

Abstract: Novel filters are prepared, and filtrations are performed, using porous fibers and filaments which are comprised of normally solid, thermoplastic, orientable, organic polymers which have reactive or reactable groups pendent from the polymer chain, said polymers being made using a process which involves reactions of said pendent groups while the polymer is in an oriented condition. One of the preferred polymers is a copolymer of ethylene/acrylic acid. Ionomers of the polymers can be used.

Abstract: Novel filters are prepared, and filtrations are performed, using porous fibers and filaments which are comprised of normally solid, thermoplastic, orientable, organic polymers which have reactive or reactable groups pendent from the polymer chain, said polymers being made using a process which involves reactions of said pendent groups while the polymer is in an oriented condition. One of the preferred polymers is a copolymer of ethylene/acrylic acid. Ionomers of the polymers can be used.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic fibers (or fabrics, knits, papers, or webs made of such fibers) are improved in at least abrasion resistance, dye receptivity and/or other properties by bringing together on said fibers (or product made thereof) a liquid dispersion of a dispersible normally-solid polymer having pendent acid groups, such as carboxylic groups, and a reagent which reacts with the carboxylic group to render the polymer non-dispersible. The reagent may be one which supplies metal cations having a valence of at least 2 or it may be a primary amine, secondary amine or tertiary amine, or salts of the amine, a polyamine or salt thereof, or a quaternary ammonium salt. The reagent may precede the polymer onto the substrate, or may follow the application of the polymer onto the substrate.

Abstract: A biocidal foam product comprising a foam having incorporated therein a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.

Abstract: A water insoluble material useful for making biocidal barriers and biocidal filter for use in fluid systems, said material comprising a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.

Abstract: A biocidal foam product comprising a foam having incorporated therein a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one cationic biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved gas separation membranes fabricated from a polymer containing a hydrocarbon backbone and pendant metal ionomer groups wherein the pendant metal ionomer groups contain cations of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or transition metals bound to pendant --CO.sub.2.sup.-. The metal modified membranes result in improved gas selectivities with comparable or improved permeabilities over the unmodified membranes. The membranes may be used to separate gas mixtures such as carbon dioxide and methane or oxygen and nitrogen.

Abstract: Novel porous fibers and filaments are prepared from normally solid, thermoplastic, orientable, organic polymers which have reactive or reactable groups pendent from the polymer chain, employing a process which involves reactions of said pendent groups while the polymer is in an oriented condition. One of the preferred polymers is a copolymer of ethylene/acrylic acid.

Abstract: Particles, fibers, or filaments of ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers or terpolymers, especially in highly porous or microporous form, are employed in removing contaminants from solution in aqueous and/or organic liquids, especially metal contaminants. The porous polymers, having a surface area/weight ratio of at least about 0.5 m.sup.2 /gm, are useful alone, but may also be used in conjunction with, or in tandem with, previously known ion exchange resins such as polyacrylic acid crosslinked with divinylbenzene.

Abstract: Hardness values (Ca.sup.++ and Mg.sup.++) and other polyvalent metal cations are removed from alkali metal brines (esp. NaCl) by using a high surface area ethylene/carboxylic acid polymer (esp. porous ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers).

Abstract: Novel polymers are prepared from monomers comprising the reaction product of a vinyl functional monoahl (e.g., hydroxypropyl acrylate) with a halohydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium compound (e.g., 2-hydroxy-3-chloropropyl ammonium chloride) or a glycidyl trialkyl ammonium compound. The polymers exhibit a very high affinity for water.

Abstract: Particles, fibers, or filaments of alkali salts of ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers or terpolymers, especially in highly porous form, are employed in removing contaminants from tertiary amines or quaternary amine salts, especially metal contaminants.

Abstract: Novel monomers are the reaction products of a vinyl functional monoahl (e.g., hydroxypropyl acrylate) with a halohydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium compound (e.g., 2-hydroxy-3-chloropropyl ammonium chloride) or a glycidyl trialkyl ammonium compound. Said monomers are highly hydrophilic. Polymers comprising said monomers have a very high affinity for water.

Abstract: Halogenation of organic polymers having pendant anhydride groups as such, or when said halogenation is followed by reaction of the pendant anhydride groups with nucleophiles, yields novel halogenated derivatives of said polymers.

Abstract: Synthetic polymers containing at least one cyclobutanone group of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are selected from the class consisting of alkyl, aryl, halogen, and hydrogen radicals are prepared by reacting in an inert organic solvent a conjugated diene polymer having unsaturated bonds in the main or side chain with a ketone of the formula ##STR2## Such polymers are useful as adhesives and flexibilizers, and they can be readily cross-linked to form elastomeric coatings with good solvent resistance.

Abstract: Cellulosic materials such as paper are internally sized by treating fibers of the cellulosic material, e.g., paper pulp, with a copolymer of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer and an ammoniated .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and a reaction product of epihalohydrin and alkylamine. Internal sizing of the cellulosic material by this method can be carried out over complete range of pH and is not adversely affected by the presence of contaminants such as alum.

Abstract: An improved process and composition for water- and oil-proofing textiles which comprises treating a textile with a polymeric fluorocarbon finishing agent and at least one reactive polymer extender of the formula ##EQU1## and curing the treated textile at from 80.degree. to 170.degree. C for 0.1 to 60 minutes; wherein C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are carbon atoms of a polyalkylene copolymer chain, R and R' are hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl, --COOH or a segment of a polyalkylene chain, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like, of up to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen. The treatment in accordance with the present invention results in synergistic improvements in the oil- and/or water-repellent properties of the conventional fluorocarbon agents.