Abstract: Grafted polymer particles are prepared by a free-radical addition polymerization mechanism using a flame produced by igniting a mixture of a combustible gas and an oxidant to heat at least a portion of the surface of a solid polymer particle to produce free-radicals thereon. At least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer is contacted and reacted with the free-radicals formed on the surface of the polymer to form a graft thereon.

Abstract: Preparation of polyvinyl acetals which can form emulsifier- and surfactant-free aqueous dispersions and redispersible dry powders and contain copolymeric polyvinyl acetals with, in amounts sufficient to form a dispersion, comonomer units carrying sulfo salt groups which are derived from copolymeric polyvinyl alcohol (PVALs) which contained comonomer units carrying sulfonate groups in the salt form. The preparation is carried out by acetalization of the starting polyvinyl alcohols to be used with aldehydes or aldehyde acetals under acid-catalyzed acetalization conditions in an aqueous medium, emulsifier-free stable aqueous polyvinyl acetal dispersions being obtained, from which dry redispersible polyvinyl acetal powders can be obtained by spray drying or freeze drying. The polyvinyl acetals according to the invention can be plasticized by mixing in plasticizers both in their aqueous dispersion form and in the dry powder form.

Abstract: Compositions of stabilized stereoregular polymers of branched higher alpha-olefins, grafting compounds, free radical generators, glass and epoxy resins and/or epoxy-functional silanes and/or hydroxy functional compounds are provided as well as methods for making these compounds and articles thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sup.

Abstract: A universal method to make photosensitive polymers from poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyridine) is disclosed which generally does not require final purification and can produce photosensitive polymers which are of similar photosensity whether prepared with a poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(vinyl pyridine) backbone. These polymers comprise a heterocyclic, light-sensitive pendant group including a moiety having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 denotes the atoms necessary to form a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic ring; Z.sup.2 denotes the atoms necessary to form a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring; R is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; M is a divalent organic moiety; Y is a residue from a grafting group that is capable of grafting the pendant group onto a polymeric backbone.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units may be blended with copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and unsaturated organic acids and processed into sheet, film, fiber and other objects which exhibit an useful balance of barrier and strength properties.

Abstract: Hot water and superheated steam resistant barrier films, well adopted as packaging materials, e.g., for perishable comestibles, notably foodstuffs, at least in part include at least one layer of a polymer alloy comprising (a) at least one ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, (b) at least one polypropylene and (c) a compatibilizing amount of at least one compatibilizing agent therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides an oxyalkylene group-containing PVA resin composition with an alkali metal acetate content of 0.001.about.1 weight % and an oxyalkylene group-containing PVA resin composition with an alkali metal acetate content of 0.001.about.1 weight %, which further contains 0.1.about.10 moles of an acid with a pKa value of not more than 5.0 per mole of the alkali metal acetate, optionally together with 0.01.about.5 weight of a phenol compound which melts at 50.degree..about.250.degree. C., a thioether or a phosphite based on the polyvinyl alcohol and/or 0.01.about.3 weight % of a fatty acid compound based on the polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Thermosettable composition suitable for the production of endless objects without the use of continuous carrier material, whereby the composition comprises an epoxy resin or an unsaturated polyester and a high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer which has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 g/mol in an amount to make the composition spinnable, the amount ranging from at least 0.1% where the polymer has a molecular weight of 5,000,000 g/mol or more or less than 2% where the polymer has the weight-average molecular weight of 1,000,000 g/mol, the amount decreasing as the weight-average molecular weight increases.

Abstract: Photopolymers based on polyvinyl alcohol derivatives of 8-hydroxy quinoline compositions having a high degree of photosensitivity, a marked degree of water solubility, and the ability to photodimerize when exposed to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A woodworking adhesive composition prepared by a two stage emulsion polymerization procedure wherein the first stage comprises the step of emulsion polymerizing vinyl acetate with 0.1 to 6% by weight of a post-crosslinking monomer in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol to produce a polyvinyl alcohol stabilized copolymer having a Tg within the range of +10.degree. to +40.degree. C. and containing no pre-crosslinking monomers and the second stage comprises the step of emulsion polymerizing methyl methacrylate to produce a methyl methacrylate homo- or copolymer containing at least 75% by weight methyl methacrylate and having a Tg within the range of +50.degree. to +120.degree. C., further characterized in that the ratio of the polymer produced in the first stage to the polymer produced in the second stage is within the range of 10:1 to 10:6 and wherein the first stage polymer and second stage monomer mixture are not equilibrated prior to the second stage polymerization.

Abstract: Proposed is a novel vinyl chloride-based copolymeric resin suitable as an electron beam-curable binder resin for forming a magnetic recording layer of a magnetic recording medium. The binder resin is a vinyl chloride-based copolymeric resin containing monomeric units having a hydroxy group which is reacted with an ethylenically unsaturated monomeric compound having an isocyanato group in a molecule and then subjected to a modification reaction with an amine compound. The magnetic recording medium, e.g., magnetic recording tape, prepared by using the binder resin is excellent in the surface properties such as gloss and traveling resistance as well as in the magnetic properties such as residual magnetic flux density and squareness ratio of the magnetic hysteresis loop.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a water-swellable polymer comprising the polymerization product of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer in an aqueous phase, initiator, crosslinking agent, and polyvinyl alcohol, the polymerization product having been heated at a temperature greater than about 160.degree. C., wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is less than about 98 percent hydrolyzed, such that the polymerization product has improved whiteness.

Abstract: This invention relates to high temperature aqueous processes for the polymerization of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomers to produce low molecular weight, water-soluble polymer products useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors, dispersants and crystal growth modifiers. Suitable monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid. The reactions are run at temperatures ranging from about 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C., preferably from about 140.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The process can be continuous, semi-continuous, or batch.

Abstract: A process for crosslinking a polymer containing hydroxyl groups which process comprises:(a) forming a mixture of said polymer and crosslinking amount of a poly(alpha, beta-alkenylcarboxylate), and(b) maintaining the mixture at conditions under which the polymer cures by reaction of the hydroxyl groups of the polymer with the poly(alpha, beta-alkenylcarboxylate) to produce a crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which makes it possible to manufacture substantially spherical resin granules with a narrow grain size distribution by a simple operation. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing resin granules with a grain diameter of 1.about.100 .mu.m and narrow grain size distribution by controlling the cloud point of polyvinyl alcohol and other water soluble polymers.

Abstract: A novel graft copolymer having a number-average molecular weight of about 1,500 to about 1,000,000, produced by graft-copolymerizing an alkylene oxide and a cyclic ester to a saponified ethylene-saturated carboxylic acid vinyl ester copolymer; a process for production thereof; and a plasticizer comprising said graft copolymer as the active component.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units may be blended with copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and unsaturated organic acids and processed into sheet, film, fiber and other objects which exhibit an useful balance of barrier and strength properties.

Abstract: A process for agglomerating a polymer powder which comprises mixing a polymer powder with an oxyalkylene group-containing polyvinyl alcohol resin in the presence of water and drying the resulting mixture. According to the process of the present invention, it is possible to easily prepare the polymer granules having little fine powder, a narrow particle size distribution and a large average particle size.

Abstract: A primer composition has been discovered which improves bonding of dentin and filler resin. The primer composition disclosed in the present invention contains, in weight ratio of 20:1 to 5:1, of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and the esterification product of polyvinyl alcohol and acryloyl chloride. The weight average molecular weight of polyvinyl alcohol ranges from 60,000 to 85,000 with residual acetyl content is less than 10%. The esterification of OH group in polyvinyl alcohol ranges from 5 to 40 mole percent. The present invention does not contain glutaraldehyde, but provides greater bonding strength.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units, especially when treated to remove impurities, when blended with copolymers of alkyl (meth)acrylates, N-vinyllactams or N-vinylamides, and unsaturated acids, preferably further with a small amount of plasticizer, may be applied as hot melt adhesives to paper, wood, and other cellulosic articles.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units, when treated with acid to remove impurities, may be blended with low levels of copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and N-vinyllactams or N-vinylamides, optionally containing copolymerized acid, and processed into sheet, film, fiber and other objects which exhibit a useful balance of barrier and strength properties.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units, especially when treated to remove impurities, when blended with copolymers of alkyl (meth)acrylates, N-vinyllactams or N-vinylamides, and unsaturated acids, preferably further with a small amount of plasticizer, may be applied as hot melt adhesives to paper, wood, and other cellulosic articles.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound having the structure ##STR1## which comprises heating under acidic conditions a polyvinyl alcohol and a compound of the structure ##STR2## is a polyvinyl acetal, n is an integer from 1 to 6,R is hydrogen or alkyl,m is an integer from 1 to 6,X is an anion, ##STR3## is a divalent radical having the structure ##STR4## Y is a monovalent radical having the structure ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkoxy, carboxy, carboxy ester, amino, substituted amino, amido, substituted amido, cyano, hydroxy, nitro, isocyanato, sulphonyl halide, sulphonic acid and halide, and may be the same or different, or R.sub.1 taken together with R.sub.2 is methylene-dioxy, and A is a formyl or acetal group.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol is modified by reaction with a stilbazol quaternary salt acetal to produce a water soluble polymer capable of photodimerizing on exposure to active radiation to yield water-soluble photoresist materials.

Abstract: A surfactantless, formaldehyde-free polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymer binder emulsion for non-woven products is prepared comprising: 12% to 35% of a fully hydrolyzed low or ultra low molecular weight PVOH and 65% to 88% of a vinyl and/or acrylic monomer which is graft copolymerized with the PVOH through emulsion polymerization.

Abstract: A solid state process for modifying polyvinyl alcohol using a Michael-type addition wherein dry polyvinyl alcohol powder is sprayed with a solution of a monomer capable of Michael-type addition in an amount sufficient to swell the polyvinyl alcohol or maintain its swollen state, but not dissolve or form a slurry of the polyvinyl alcohol. The swollen polyvinyl alcohol is sprayed with a catalyst and the temperature is raised to initiate the reaction between the polyvinyl alcohol and the monomer.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride resin composition comprising (i) 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin and (ii) 2 to 40 parts by weight of a multi-stage copolymer obtained by polymerizing resin component formable monomers in the range of from more than 30 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight in three stages onto 50-70 parts by weight of a butadiene elastomer having a glass transition temperature ranging from -40.degree. C. to 5.degree. C. obtained by a copolymerization of a monomer mixture of 70 to 90% by weight of butadiene, 10 to 30 percent by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer and a polyfunctional monomer added in an amount corresponding to 3 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the butadiene and aromatic vinyl monomer.

Abstract: A modified polyvinyl alcohol and a solid state process for producing modified polyvinyl alcohol wherein polyvinyl alcohol powder is sprayed with a sufficient amount of a solution of a polymerizable monomer to swell the polyvinyl alcohol powder but not dissolve it or form a slurry. The swollen polyvinyl alcohol powder is sprayed with a free radical source (an initiator) and the temperature is raised to initiate a reaction between polyvinyl alcohol and the polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: Photosensitive, photocurable, compositions contain a polymeric backbone which are basic in an aqueous environment having a pendant photosensitive group. The pendant groups are styryl-amine or nitrogen heterocyclic groups which contain an ethylenically unsaturated photocross-linking group. The pendant styryl-amine or nitrogen heterocyclic groups can cross-link two polymer chains by photo addition through ethylenically unsaturated groups in the styryl moiety forming a cyclobutane crosslinked site. The cross-linking is accomplished by irradiating the material with visible light or ultraviolet radiation of appropriate wave length, depending on the absorbitivity of the system. The photocurable polymer can be formulated into useful systems including in liquid resists, pre-coated film resists, etc. and can be used in both negative or positive imaging systems.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol is modified by reaction with a stilbazol quaternary salt acetal to produce a water soluble polymer capable of photodimercezing on exposure to active radiation to yield water-soluble photoresist materials.

Abstract: A photosensitive polymer composition comprising a compound of the structure ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a polyvinyl acetal, n is an integer from 1 to 6,R is hydrogen or alkyl,m is an integer from 1 to 6,X is an anion, ##STR3## is a divalent radical having the structure ##STR4## Y is a monovalent radical having the structure ##STR5## whereis a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring in which Z is nitrogen, substituted nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkoxy, carboxy, carboxy ester, amino, substituted amino, amido, substituted amid, cyano, hydroxy, nitro, isocyanato, sulphonyl halide, sulphonic acid as halide, and may be the same or different or R.sub.1 taken together with R.sub.2 is methylenedioxy.

Abstract: A composition which contains thermosettable monomers from which continuous products can be made without using continuous carrier material, the composition containing bismaleimide monomers and a thermoplastic polymer having a high molecular weight.Products made from a composition of the present invention are suitable for use in those fields where good temperature resistance, good fire resistance and/or good corrosion and solvent resistance are required in addition to good mechanical properties. Examples are cable sheathing, fire-resistant clothing, asbestos substitutes, high-temperature filters, aircraft interiors, precursors for carbon fiber , food packagings (for example, for use in a microwave oven), capacitor films and filament winding products.

Abstract: A microcapsule adhesive for preventing the loosening of screws and the like, which is superior in storage stability, adhesive force and safety, and which is comprised of an epoxy resin as a core material; a urea-formaldehyde resin, a melamine-formaldehyde resin, a polyurethane or a urea-urethane resin as a wall material; a water-soluble polyacetal resin binder; and a non-volatile, water-soluble or -dispersible amine-based curing agent.

Abstract: An improved process for producing resin particles by a bead suspension polymerization reaction, and a polymer formed by the process wherein the process comprises: providing a liquid reaction medium suitable for conducting the polymerization; forming a suspension agent system in the reaction medium by an in situ interaction of at least two components in the reaction medium, for example, certain water soluble metal halides and polyvinylacetate derived polymers; adding at least one polymerizable monomer compound to the resulting reaction medium having the suspension agent system dispersed therein; and effecting polymerization of the monomer in the reaction medium to form low ash content beads of the polymer.

Abstract: Hot water and superheated steam resistant barrier films, well adopted as packaging materials, e.g., for perishable comestibles, notably foodstuffs, at least in part include at least one layer of a polymer alloy comprising (a) at least one ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, (b) at least one polypropylene and (c) a compatibilizing amount of at least one compatibilizing agent therefor.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive material suitable for the production of radiation sensitive plates for lithographic printing plate manufacture comprises a polymer having appendent azide-substituted aromatic ester groups and sulphonyl urethane groups. The radiation sensitive compound is produced by a process in which some hydroxyl and/or epoxide groups of a polymer are reacted with an azide substituted carboxylic acid or ester forming derivative thereof, and some hydroxyl groups are reacted with a sulphonyl isocyanate.

Abstract: Extended polyvinyl alcohol fatty acid esters comprise a new class of edible fat mimetic compounds. These esters, which are, structurally, polyvinyl alcohols having methylene groups between the carbon-carbon backbone and pendant hydroxyl groups that have been partially or fully acylated with fatty acids, are low molecular weight polymers having the following general formula ##STR1## where N=5 to 100,m=1 to 8, independently,and X is H or R(CO),R being an aliphatic group having 1 to 29 carbons. Methods of using the new fat mimetics and food compositions incorporating them are disclosed.

Abstract: A two phase adhesive matrix for use in an electrically powered iontophoretic delivery device is provided. The adhesive matrix comprises an adhesive hydrophobic polymer phase and about 15 to 60 wt % on a dry weight basis of a hydrophilic polymer phase distributed through the hydrophobic polymer phase. The hydrophilic phase forms upon hydration an interconnecting network of aqueous pathways for passage of the agent through the adhesive. The adhesive can be used to adhere an electrode assembly of an iontophoretic delivery device to a body surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane. Alternatively, the adhesive can be used to adhere together two or more elements of an iontophoretic delivery device.

Abstract: An adhesive composition suitable for use as an in-line contact adhesive for electrotransport drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising an emulsion copolymer of an alkyl acrylamido glycolate alkylether, vinyl acetate, and a functional hydroxide containing monomer, a process for its preparation as well as its use as binder, coating, or adhesive, in particular as a self-crosslinking binder composition. The preferred alkyl acrylamido glycolate alkylether is methylacrylamido glycolate methylether (MAGME.RTM.).

Abstract: Amino-functional compounds are economically prepared by reacting maleic anhydride with alcohols to form a maleate or fumarate "half-ester" which is combined with certain amines, most preferably aspartate or glutamate, under conditions selected to avoid hydrolysis. At low molecular weights, the compounds herein are useful detergency builders; at progressively higher molecular weights within a specific range, combined builder/dispersant and typical dispersant properties emerge. Processes for preparing the compounds and useful detergent compositions containing them are described.

Abstract: The surface of lapideous materials, marble, sandstone, tiles, cement conglomerates and articles and structures manufactured therefrom are consolidated and protected against atmospherical and polluting agents by superficially applicating a mix composed of:a) a vinylidene fluoride elastomeric copolymer comprising 55-85% by mols of vinylidene fluoride, 15-45% by mols of hexafluoropropene and 0-30% by mols of tetrafluoroethylene;b) polytetrafluoroethylene or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene containing up to 12% by mols of other perfluorinated monomers.

Abstract: A radical-curing polyvinyl alcohol derivative is disclosed, which is obtained by reacting an anion-modified polyvinyl alcohol prepared by saponification of a copolymer comprising vinyl acetate and an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof with a glycidyl-containing vinyl compound in water or in a mixed solvent of water and a lower alcohol under acidic conditions, and which is useful as an image-forming material which is curable upon light irradiation and developable with water.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of expanding-contracting hydrogel composites which process comprises the steps of adding solid particles of a polyelectrolyte to a polyvinyl alcohol solution and subjecting the mixture to a low temperature treatment to cause gelation of the polyvinyl alcohol with the polyelectrolyte dispersed as a heterogeneous phase (i.e. solid particles) within the polyvinyl alcohol gel. Hydrogel composites made by the process exhibit high strength and a capacity to expand and contract over a wide range with changes in environment.

Abstract: This invention provides a halogen-containing thermoplastic resin composition comprising a halogen-containing thermoplastic resin (A) consisting of 100 to 0.1 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane-vinyl chloride graft polymer (a1) with a polyurethane content of 10 to 90 weight percent which is produced by polymerizing vinyl chloride in the presence of a thermoplastic polyurethane and 0 to 99.9 weight percent of another halogen-containing polymer (a2) and a melt-moldable vinyl alcohol polymer (B), the proportion of melt-moldable vinyl alcohol polymer (B) being in the range of 0.1 to 100 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of halogen-containing thermoplastic resin (A).

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol fatty acid esters, notably unsaturated acid esters, comprise a new class of edible fat replacements. Polyvinyl oleate, prepared either by direct esterfication of low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol with oleic acid, oleic anhydride or oleyl chloride, by the transesterification between low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol and methyl oleate, or by the interesterification between low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and methyl oleate, is a preferred edible fat replacement.

Abstract: A liquid coating composition is provided which comprises, as a binder, a compound containing at least two pendant activated unsaturated groups and, as a crosslinking agent for the activated unsaturated groups, a particular unblocked monoprimary amine compound. The liquid coating compositions of the present invention provide the particular advantage of surprisingly good potlife without blocking the crosslinking agent, with the resulting coating compositions displaying good properties such as, for example, solvent resistance.

Abstract: Articles molded from a moisture shrinkable polymer are provided. The article are stretched. The moisture shrinkable polymer may comprise a graft copolymer, a block copolymer, or a blend of a thermoplastic polymer with a hydrophilic synthetic polymer or a polysaccharide. The article absorb moisture and shrink at room temperature of not more than 50.degree. C. in a highly humid atmosphere. The articles experience little decrease in tensile strength during shrinkage by moisture absorption or by prolonged storage after the moisture absorption. The article is useful when used as a film for shrink wrapping commodities which are not resistant to heat.

Abstract: High molecular weight polyvinyl alcohols can be modified with amino compounds such as acrylamide in a one-step low temperature reaction to produce products having higher viscosity than those prepared in costly two-step high temperature modification reactions.