Abstract: Provided is a method for performing a polymerization process in a stirred reactor, wherein a critical time window is determined by means of a monitor of at least one polymerization process parameter and an associated process window, and when a critical time window is present, an adaptation of process conditions is made in order to configure the polymerization process to conform to the process window.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymer dispersions of at least one of the polymerizable monomers from the groups consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 1-20 carbon atoms, vinylaromatic compounds, nitrites, vinyl halides, vinyl ethers, hydrocarbons having 2-8 carbon atoms, and hydroxyl-containing monomers in emulsion polymerization technology at a polymerization temperature of at least 40° C., in the presence of a free-radical polymerization initiator, which comprises preparing the polymer, which forms to at least 85% by weight from one or more of these monomers. In a first stage, water, as reaction-inert solvent, dispersing assistants where appropriate, seed where appropriate, and a first portion of monomer(s), where appropriate, are introduced.

Abstract: Aqueous formulations comprising as film-forming constituent at least one copolymer P, synthesized from ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, are used for coating shaped mineral articles, the copolymer P having a glass transition temperature in the range from −25 to +80° C. and the monomers M comprising more than 0.2% by weight and up to 5% by weight, based on their overall weight, of itaconic acid as monomer M1.

Abstract: A polymer composed overall of from 50 to 99.98 % by weight of C1-C12 alkyl (meth)acrylate a), from 0.02 to 10 % by weight of a vinylaromatic compound b), from 0 to 10 % by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid or of an ehtylenically unsaturated acid anhydride c),  and from 0 to 40% by weight of further monomers d), the percentages by weight being based on the polymer and the polymer being obtainable by polymerizing the monomers a) to d) in at least two stages which differ in their content of vinylaromatic compounds in such a way that the content of vinylaromatic compounds in the vinylaromatics-rich stage is at least 5 times as great as in the low-vinylaromatics stage.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer dispersion, wherein the dispersion contains from 0.0001 to 1 mol of a hydrolyzable silicon group and from 0.0001 to 1 mol of a urea or thiourea group, based, in each case, on 100 g of the polymer present in the dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of film-forming aqueous formulations comprising in dispersed form at least one crosslinked copolymer P for coating shaped mineral articles and for a method of coating shaped mineral articles, said copolymer P comprising in copolymerized form a) from 80 to 99.89% by weight of at least one monomer selected from esters of acrylic acid with C1-C12-alkanols, esters of methacrylic acid with C1-C8-alkanols, and monovinylaromatics, b) from 0.1 to 19.99% by weight of at least one monomer different from a), and c) from 0.01 to 1.9% by weight of at least one crosslinking monomer selected from esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid with linear or branched C3-C6-alkenols, cyclic C5-C7-alkenols and polycyclic C2-C12-alkenols.

Abstract: An essentially solventless pigmented aqueous formulation which comprises: i) at least one polymer A in the form of polymer particles in disperse distribution, said particles comprising, from 80 to 99.9% by weight, based on the overall weight of the polymer A, of a water-insoluble polymer 1 having a glass transition temperature Tg1 in the range from −50 to +40° C., built up from ethylenically unsaturated monomers M1, and from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the overall weight of the polymer A, of one or more water-insoluble polymers i having a glass transition temperature Tgi of more than 50° C., built up from ethylenically unsaturated monomers Mi, ii) at least one pigment and, if desired, one or more extenders.

Abstract: A method of coating a mineral molding includes applying at least one aqueous preparation to at least one surface of the molding, the aqueous preparation including: (i) as film-forming constituent at least one polymer P which is composed of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M and which is present in dispersed form in the aqueous phase of the aqueous preparation and which has a glass transition temperature TG in the range from −25 to +80° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of aqueous film-forming formulations comprising at least one copolymer P as film-forming constituent which is present in disperse form in the formulation and is composed of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, the monomers M comprising i. from 70 to 99.9% by weight of at least one ester of methacrylic acid with a C1-C10-alkanol and ii. from 0.1 to 30% by weight of at least one different monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least 50% by weight of the monomers M being other than methyl methacrylate and not more than 1% by weight of the monomers M having two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, for coating mineral moldings. The present invention additionally provides a method of coating the mineral moldings, and also the mineral moldings themselves.

Abstract: A polymer which contains from 50 to 99.98% by weight of a C1-C12 alkyl (meth)acrylate a), from 0.02 to 10% by weight of a vinylaromatic compound b), from 0 to 10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid or of an ethylenically unsaturated acid anhydride c), and from 0 to 40% by weight of further monomers d), the percentages by weight being based on the polymer and the polymer being obtainable by polymerizing the monomers a) to d) in at least two stages which differ in their content of vinylaromatic compounds in such a way that the content of vinylaromatic compounds in the vinylaromatics-rich stage is at least 5 times as great as in the low-vinylaromatics stage.

Abstract: A polymer composed overall of

Abstract: Aqueous formulations comprising as film-forming constituent at least one copolymer P, synthesized from ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, are used for coating shaped mineral articles, the copolymer P having a glass transition temperature in the range from −25° to +80° C. and the monomers M comprising more than 0.2% by weight and up to 5% by weight, based on their overall weight, of itaconic acid as monomer M1.

Abstract: A polymer which is composed of from 50 to 99.98% by weight of a C1-C12 alkyl (meth)acrylate a), from 0.02 to 1.8% by weight of a vinyl-aromatic compound b), from 0 to 10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid or an ethylenically unsaturated acid anhydride c), and from 0 to 40% by weight of other monomers d), the percentages by weight being based on the polymer.

Abstract: A method of emptying vessels containing dispersions, solutions or suspensions of polymers in which during the emptying process the liquid medium also used to take up the polymers into the dispersion, solution or suspension is passed into the space within the vessel that is not filled by the solution, dispersion or suspension, wherein the liquid medium used to take up the polymers into the dispersion, solution or suspension is introduced in vapor form.