Abstract: A method of forming a toughened article from a blend of a thermosetting polymer and a comb copolymer is disclosed, along with the toughened thermoset article produced thereby. Compositions including a thermosetting polymer and a comb copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a toughened article from a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and a comb copolymer is disclosed, along with the toughened article produced thereby. Compositions such as solids blends and melt blends, including a thermoplastic polymer and a comb copolymer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous composition is provided containing a first polymer including at least one C12 to C40 alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid, as polymerized units; at least one wax, at least one pigment, and optionally, at least one second polymer, wherein the sum of the first polymer and the second polymer is at least 10 weight %, based on weight of the aqueous composition; wherein the weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer is at least 1:4; and wherein the first polymer and the second polymer have a combined glass transition temperature in the range of −5 to 20° C. As provided is a method of treating a wood surface with the aqueous composition. The aqueous composition provides wood with resistance to water wetting and penetration of water and is suitable as a semi-transparent stain for wood.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions comprising (a) adhesive polymers or copolymers prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and esters of methacrylic acid or combinations thereof; and (b) from 1 to 55% on a dry weight basis of a polymeric additive comprising a low molecular weight polymer having a number average molecular weight of 20,000 or less and which comprises polymerized units of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 5 weight percent or less of a polymerized acid-containing monomer. In preferred form, the polymeric additive is polymerized in the presence of a metal chelate chain transfer agent. In certain embodiments, the polymeric additive has a midpoint Tg of at least 0° C. or greater. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods for forming the polymeric additive in situ in the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A polymer-modified asphalt comprising from 0.5% to 10% of a comb copolymer comprising a backbone and at least one graft segment.

Abstract: An ink composition is provided including at least one colorant, an aqueous medium, and a polymeric binder. The polymeric binder contains at least one hydrophobic monomer or fluorinated monomer as a polymerized unit. Also provided is a method inkjet printing the ink composition onto a substrate. The ink composition is suitable for providing dried ink films with improved wet rub resistance.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoplastic melt blend including a segmental copolymer, wherein the melt blend displays improved processing characteristics, is disclosed. A method of forming a plastic article including a thermoplastic and a segmental copolymer is further disclosed, as is a plastic article formed thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides adhesive compositions, particularly pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, comprised of from 30 weight percent to 70 weight percent of water insoluble graft copolymers dispersed in an aqueous medium. The graft copolymers are comprised of (i) from 1 weight percent to 30 weight percent of macromonomer, based on the total weight of the copolymer, wherein the macromonomer is water insoluble and has a number average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000 g/mole and comprises from 85 to 100 weight percent polymerized units of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, 5 mole percent or less of polymerized mercapto-olefin compounds, and 10 weight percent or less polymerized acid-containing monomer; and (ii) from 70 weight percent to 99 weight percent of polymerized units of at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer, based on the total weight of the copolymer. In certain preferred embodiments, the adhesive compositions further comprise from 0.

Abstract: An active retaining coating composition is described based on polymers having a network structure in an oil phase in amounts from 0.01 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition in the oil phase, the polymers including at least one associative agent providing a network structure to the polymer, the coating composition further including at least one active component; the oil phase viscosity of each composition is at least 10 poise under a shear stress up to 1000 dynes/cm2.

Abstract: A composition for retaining active ingredients in personal care compositions is described based on one or more polymers having a network structure in an oil phase in amounts from 0.01 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition in the oil phase, the polymers including at least one associative agent, the composition further including at least one active component. The oil phase viscosity of each composition is at least 10 poise under a shear stress up to 1000 dynes/cm2.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for reducing the swelling of wood in the presence of water, comprising:

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous polymerization method for preparing graft copolymers, and copolymer compositions produced therefrom. The method of the present invention includes (a) forming a macromonomer aqueous emulsion containing water insoluble macromonomer particles; (b) forming a monomer composition containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and (c) combining at least a portion of the macromonomer aqueous emulsion and at least a portion of the monomer composition and polymerizing the resulting polymerization reaction mixture in the presence of an initiator to form a copolymer composition. The copolymer composition produced contains water insoluble particles of graft copolymer.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition comprising a comb copolymer is disclosed. A method of forming a coating from the aqueous coating composition, and a coating formed by that method are also disclosed, as is a method of forming the comb copolymer. The comb copolymer is characterized in that aqueous dispersions of the comb copolymer have a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25%. The aqueous coating composition is capable of producing coatings having an excellent balance of hard and soft properties.

Abstract: An aqueous composition is provided containing a first polymer including at least one C12 to C40 alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid, as polymerized units; at least one wax, at least one pigment, and optionally, at least one second polymer, wherein the sum of the first polymer and the second polymer is at least 10 weight %, based on weight of the aqueous composition; wherein the weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer is at least 1:4; and wherein the first polymer and the second polymer have a combined glass transition temperature in the range of −5 to 20° C. As provided is a method of treating a wood surface with the aqueous composition. The aqueous composition provides wood with resistance to water wetting and penetration of water and is suitable as a semi-transparent stain for wood.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer, wherein the aqueous dispersion has a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25% is disclosed. A method for preparing the aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer is also disclosed, as is a film produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides adhesive compositions, particularly pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, comprised of from 30 weight percent to 70 weight percent of water insoluble graft copolymers dispersed in an aqueous medium. The graft copolymers are comprised of (i) from 1 weight percent to 30 weight percent of macromonomer, based on the total weight of the copolymer, wherein the macromonomer is water insoluble and has a number average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000 g/mole and comprises from 85 to 100 weight percent polymerized units of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, 5 mole percent or less of polymerized mercapto-olefin compounds, and 10 weight percent or less polymerized acid-containing monomer; and (ii) from 70 weight percent to 99 weight percent of polymerized units of at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer, based on the total weight of the copolymer. In certain preferred embodiments, the adhesive compositions further comprise from 0.

Abstract: Hydrophobic, oil-absorbing polymeric compositions, prepared from high levels of hydrophobic monomers, are provided for transferring oily substances and hydrophobic materials to and from various surfaces in a heterogeneous medium. A reversible process is described for transferring oily substances and hydrophobic materials to and from various surfaces in a heterogeneous medium using oil-absorbing films, solid particles or dispersions of aqueous emulsion polymers prepared from hydrophobic monomers.

Abstract: A method of forming a toughened article from a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and a comb copolymer is disclosed, along with the toughened article produced thereby. Compositions such as solids blends and melt blends, including a thermoplastic polymer and a comb copolymer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a toughened article from a blend of a thermosetting polymer and a comb copolymer is disclosed, along with the toughened thermoset article produced thereby. Compositions including a thermosetting polymer and a comb copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions comprising (a) adhesive polymers or copolymers prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and esters of methacrylic acid or combinations thereof; and (b) from 1 to 55% on a dry weight basis of a polymeric additive comprising a low molecular weight polymer having a number average molecular weight of 20,000 or less and which comprises polymerized units of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 5 weight percent or less of a polymerized acid-containing monomer. In preferred form, the polymeric additive is polymerized in the presence of a metal chelate chain transfer agent. In certain embodiments, the polymeric additive has a midpoint Tg of at least 0° C. or greater. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods for forming the polymeric additive in situ in the adhesive composition.