Abstract: Alkyldiketene-containing aqueous polymer dispersions which are obtainable by miniemulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of alkyldiketenes, processes for the preparation of such polymer dispersions and the use of the thus obtainable dispersions as sizes for paper or as water repellents for leather, natural and/or manmade fibers and textiles.

Abstract: An organic composition having liquid-crystal alignment characteristics includes a photosensitive compound and a binder resin represented by Formula 1 below: wherein each R1 is independently hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 is an alkyl group of 4-16 carbon atoms; R3 is an alkyl group of 1-7 carbon atoms, a cyclooxyalkyl group of 1-7 carbon atoms, a benzyl group, or a phenyl group; l, m, and n represent molar ratios of polymerization units and are respectively from about 0.01 to about 0.50, from about 0.10 to about 0.60, and from about 0.03 to about 0.50.

Abstract: An adhesive composition of the present invention includes, as a main component, a polymer produced by copolymerization of a monomer composition including: styrene; a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having a chain structure; a (meth)acrylic acid ester having an aliphatic ring; and a (meth)acrylic acid ester having an aromatic ring, wherein: the styrene is contained in a range of 40 to 69 parts by mass; the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having the chain structure is contained in a range of 20 to 30 parts by mass; the (meth)acrylic acid ester having the aliphatic ring is contained in a range of 10 to 25 parts by mass; and the (meth)acrylic acid ester having the aromatic ring is contained in a range of 1 to 5 parts by mass, where the total amount of the above components is 100 parts by mass.

Abstract: A method of making an ion triggerable cationic polymer by solution copolymerizing one or more vinyl-functional cationic monomers, one or more water insoluble or hydrophobic vinyl monomers with alkyl side chains up to 4 carbons long, and, optionally, a minor amount of one or more vinyl monomers with linear or branched alkyl groups longer than 4 carbons, alkyl hydroxy, polyoxyalkylene, or other functional groups. The solution polymerization is accomplished by free radical polymerization in a mixture of an organic solvent such as acetone and water. After polymerization is complete, the organic solvent is preferably removed by a continuous process. The continuous process is preferably performed using a plate evaporator system.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95 % hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: A method of making an ion triggerable cationic polymer by solution copolymerizing one or more vinyl-functional cationic monomers, one or more water insoluble or hydrophobic vinyl monomers with alkyl side chains up to 4 carbons long, and, optionally, a minor amount of one or more vinyl monomers with linear or branched alkyl groups longer than 4 carbons, alkyl hydroxy, polyoxyalkylene, or other functional groups. The solution polymerization is accomplished by free radical polymerization in a mixture of acetone and water.

Abstract: The water dispersible resin of the present invention is contained in a base component of a two-component thermosetting resin composition. The water dispersible resin is prepared by dispersing a solvent resin in water, which solvent resin is obtained by solution polymerization, carried out in two or more stages, of a monomer mixture containing a polyfunctional monomer, an acid group-containing monomer, and a hydroxyl group-containing monomer, the polyfunctional monomer having a plurality of vinyl groups in its single molecule. The monomer mixture contains the polyfunctional monomer by not less than 0.1% by weight but not more than 3% by weight, and the water dispersible resin thus obtained has an acid value of solid content of not less than 10 mgKOH/g but not more than 45 mgKOH/g, a hydroxyl value of solid content of not less than 50 but not more than 200, and a viscosity of not less than 50 mPa·s but not more than 10,000 mPa·s when a nonvolatile content is 45% by weight.

Abstract: It is intended to in a liquid-immersion exposure process, simultaneously prevent any degeneration, represented by bridge, etc., of resist film during the liquid-immersion exposure using water and other various liquid-immersion exposure liquids and any degeneration of liquid-immersion exposure liquids per se, and to without increasing of the number of treatment steps, realize enhancing of the post-exposure storage stability of resist film, and to enable forming of a resist pattern of high resolution through liquid-immersion exposure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymer surfactants and their use in, e.g., coatings such as latex paint and solvent-based paint, and to a method of dispersing colored pigments using the copolymer surfactant, colorant compositions in which at least one pigment is dispersed by a copolymer surfactant of the invention, a paint which has a colorant composition of the invention, and a method for making a paint having a colorant composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful for coating the surface of paper wherein the coating composition is an aqueous solution comprising less than 40 wt % water and consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer that is at least about 95% hydrolyzed, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a laminated film excellent in light resistance, scratch resistance, transparency, dimensional stability and adhesion to a hard coating layer. The present invention is a laminated film comprising a base material layer, an easily adhering layer and a hard coating layer, wherein the easily adhering layer is formed on the base material layer and the hard coating layer is formed on the easily adhering layer, and further wherein (1) the base material layer is formed of a polyester resin formed from naphthalenedicarboxylic acid as a main dicarboxylic acid component and ethylene glycol as a main glycol component, (2) the hard coating layer has an ultraviolet absorbing function and has a pencil hardness of H or higher on the hard coating layer surface, and (3) said laminated film has a variation (?b*) of less than 2.0 between transmittance b* values obtained before and after a 300 hours' xenon arc test of said laminated film.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a water-based release coating composition comprising a mixture of (A.) from about 5 to about 100 wt % of a polymer comprising the reaction product of (a.) from 1 to about 15 wt % of a fluorinated monomer selected from the group consisting of monomers according to the general formula: RfX—OC(O)—C(R)?CH2, wherein Rf represents a perfluorinated aliphatic group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, X is an organic divalent linking group, and R represents a hydrogen or methyl group, (b.) from about 40 to about 70 wt % of an alkyl (meth)acrylate, wherein the alkyl group contains from 16 to 22 carbon atoms, (c.) from about 3 to about 20 wt % of (meth)acrylic acid, (d.) from about 20 to about 40 wt % acrylonitrile, and (e.) from 0 to about 15 wt % of vinyl monomer, other than acrylonitrile, wherein the sum of (a.) through (e.) equals 100%; and (B.) from 0 to about 95 wt % of an extender polymer, wherein the sum of (A.) and (B.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsions, compositions, and methods that include a vinyl polymer that includes ethylene oxide-containing side chains and alkyl-Y-containing side chains, wherein Y is O or NR, wherein R is H or CH3, and wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl-Y-containing side chain has at least 4 carbon atoms on average in a cyclic, branched-, or straight-chain configuration and optionally including one or more heteroatoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula: wherein A is an unsaturated alkylene moiety; B the residue of a polyol wherein one hydroxyl moiety is esterified with one carboxyl moiety of the phthalic acid moiety; D is the residue of a polyol wherein one hydroxyl moiety is esterified with another carboxyl moiety of the phthalic acid moiety, and another hydroxyl moiety is esterified with one carboxyl moiety of the unsaturated alkylene moiety; E is the residue of polyol wherein one hydroxyl moiety is esterified with another carboxyl moiety of the unsaturated alkylene moiety; and M is a cation. The compounds can be used alone, or polymerized, or polymerized and combined with other polymers, to form effective stain and soil repellent compositions.

Abstract: Initiators for atom transfer radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: This invention is related to a production method of a branched polymer which comprises polymerizing a macromonomer [I], said macromonomer [I] being a vinyl polymer obtainable by radical polymerization and terminally having one polymerizable carbon—carbon double bond-containing group per molecule. Furthermore, by producing the macromonomer by living radical polymerization, in particular atom transfer radical polymerization, it becomes possible to produce the above polymers or gels having well controlled side chain molecular weights.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer comprising a reaction product of a C1 to C20 alkyl (meth)acrylate, an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, a C2 to C8 hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, a vinyl aromatic, optionally a ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing sulfonic acid, and optionally a vinyl ester of a carboxylic acid. The pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer can provide adhesion and cohesion in a temperature range from ?30° C. to 50° C. for the All-temperature pressure-sensitive adhesive market.

Abstract: Chain transfer agents for controlled radical polymerizations (RAFT) are described. The chain transfer agents have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: A block copolymer is obtained by anionic polymerization, includes two or more polymer blocks A miscible with each other, and at least one (meth)acrylic ester polymer block B immiscible with the polymer blocks A, has a ratio [Mn(Amax)/Mn(Amin)] of 2 or more, wherein the ratio [Mn(Amax)/Mn(Amin)] is the ratio of the largest number average molecular weight [Mn(Amax)] to the smallest number average molecular weight [Mn(Amin)] among the polymer blocks A, has at least one block bonding including polymer block Amax-polymer block B-polymer block Amin, and has a total content of the polymer blocks A ranging from 20 wt % to 45 wt % based on the total mass of the block copolymer. This invention provides block copolymers having two or more polymer blocks A miscible with each other and at least one (meth)acrylic ester polymer block B immiscible with the polymer blocks A and exhibiting satisfactory flexibility, melt fluidity, moldability, coatability, mechanical properties, and other properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index device materials having improved strength. The materials contain microphase-separated aliphatic and aromatic domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion free high solids process for preparing crosslinked polymeric nanoparticles of 1-200 nm in diameter.

Abstract: Solid rigid acrylic copolymer materials, useful for forming ophthalmic devices, are processed into the shape of an ophthalmic device, such as an intraocular lens and are then processed into a foldable form. The acrylic copolymer material has polymer units derived from an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, such as, (meth)acrylic acid, 1-butenoic acid, and the like, and an aryl(meth)acrylate monomer, such as, phenyl(meth)acrylate, 2-ethyloxy(meth)acrylate, and the like. The processing into a foldable shape may be accomplished by contacting the rigid material, having a Tg of 25° C. or higher, with an alcohol, preferably in the presence of acid catalyst, to lower the Tg to 20° C. or less.

Abstract: Chain transfer agents for controlled radical polymerizations (RAFT) are described. The chain transfer agents have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials having improved strength. The materials contain cross-linked acrylate or methacrylate microspheres.

Abstract: A photochromic cured product which has excellent photochromism such as high color density and high fading speed, excellent adhesion to a hard coat and high striping work efficiency. This cured product is obtained by polymerizing and curing a curable composition which comprises (A) a polyfunctional polymerizable monomer such as trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, (B) a silyl monomer such as &ggr;-methacryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, (C) another radically polymerizable monomer and (D) a photochromic compound. As for the contents of the polymerizable monomers, the content of the component (A) is 1 to 50 wt %, the content of the component (B) is 0.5 to 20 wt % and the balance consists of the component (C) based on the total of the components (A), (B) and (C). The photochromic compound (D) is contained in an amount of 0.0001 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total of the components (A), (B) and (C).

Abstract: A hydrophobe-containing alkali soluble or swellable copolymer thickener comprising an emulsion polymerization product of (A) an ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable surfactant monomer having a cloud point of from about 65° C. to about 95° C., wherein the surfactant monomer has the formula M(EO)x(BO)zOR1 wherein M is a residue selected from the group consisting of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, EO is an ethylene oxide unit; BO is a butylene oxide unit; x is from 10 to 45; z is from 5 to 35; provided that x+z is from 20 to 45; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylene, and arylalkyl group wherein the alkyl group has 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (B) an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer; and (C) a nonionic &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion of a copolymer CP of at least two different monomers M1 and M2 by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of the monomers M in the presence of at least one initiator, at least 80% of the monomers M and at least 75% of the initiator being supplied continuously to the polymerization reaction during its course, which comprises changing the rate at which the initiator is supplied to the polymerization reaction a number of times, or continuously, during the polymerization reaction. The invention further provides the polymer dispersions obtainable by this process, polymer powders prepared therefrom, and for the use of the dispersions and/or of the polymer powders to prepare pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A primer useful in the preparation of an anti-fouling surface contains (I) a copolymer formed from acrylates, free carboxyl group containing monomer and an aromatic sulfonic acid or salt, an acrylic polymeric resin and a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The reaction of a vinyl monomer (A), an unsaturated fatty acid hydroxyalkyl ester-modified polycaprolactone (B) and a radical polymerization initiator (I) in a continuously mixing reactor can provide a crosslinkable vinyl polymer (C) having a number average molecular weight of about 500 to about 10,000. A cured product thereof has a high elasticity and a high strength, and finds many applications, for example, paints, coating materials, adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous polymer dispersions comprising at least one particulate polymer P having a glass transition temperature Tg of less than 0° C. which is composed of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M including: i. from 60 to 94.9% by weight, preferably from 75 to 89.5% by weight, of n-butyl acrylate as monomer M1, ii. from 5 to 39.9% by weight, preferably from 10 to 24.5% by weight, of at least one monomer M2 selected from esters of methacrylic acid with C1 to C4 alkanols, tert-butyl acrylate, and vinylaromatic monomers, and iii. from 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 2% by weight, of at least one monomer M3 selected from ethylenically unsaturated compounds having at least one acid group; the proportions of said monomers M1 to M3 being based on 100% by weight of monomers M, obtainable by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of monomers M in the presence of at least 0.

Abstract: A composition, comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one polymer with a highly specific ordered structure is disclosed. These compositions find a specific application in the field of caring for or making up keratinous fibers, in particular as a mascara composition for the eyelashes or for the hair.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preparing an acrylic copolymer having an acid anhydride group with a number average molecular weight of 1,500-5,000 comprising; polymerizing a monomer mixture of a radical polymerizable monomer having an acid anhydride group and another radical polymerizable monomer at a temperature of 150° C. or higher by using a radical initiator, wherein the concentration of the monomer mixture is 50-75 wt %. This method can provide an acrylic copolymer having an acid anhydride group with a relatively low molecular weight that does not cause the problem of yellowing after baking when used in an acid/epoxy curing type clear paint, by means of high temperature polymerization without the use of a large amount of an expensive initiator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerization process wherein at least one initiator is selected from trioxepan compounds of formula I with R1-3 being independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for producing a polymer by a living radical polymerization method which is also applicable to the polymerization of a methacrylate monomer, and a methacrylate-based polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution which is produced by the above process. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing a methacrylate-based polymer by a atom transfer radical polymerization method in which a polymerizable monomer containing at least one methacrylate monomer is polymerized in the presence of a redox catalyst comprising a metal complex containing at least one transition metal as a central metal selected from the group consisting of elements of Groups 7 to 11 of the Periodic Table, using an organohalogen compound or a halogenated sulfonyl compound as a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as intraocular lenses, include cross-linked polymeric materials having a first constituent derived from a first monomeric component selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates and mixtures thereof, and a second constituent derived from a second component in an amount effective as a cross linker in the cross-linked polymeric material. The cross-linked polymeric material has branched chain alkyl groups, preferably included with at least a portion of the first monomeric component, in an amount effective to reduce the tackiness of the cross-linked polymeric material relative to a substantially identical cross-linked polymeric material without the branched chain alkyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: A reshapable hair styling composition comprising heterogeneous (meth)acrylic copolymer particles, said particles being the same or different and comprising at least one (meth)acrylic copolymer comprising: (a) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of branched and straight chain alkyl alcohols, (b) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of saturated and unsaturated cyclic alcohols containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, (c) optionally units derived from at least one monomer chosen from hydrophilic monomers, and (d) optionally units derived from at least one monomer other than (a), (b), and (c) monomers, wherein said composition provides a reshapable effect.

Abstract: A high molecular weight water soluble acrylamide based polymer having improved flocculating and dewatering properties is provided. The polymer is prepared by a process in which a small quantity of a chain branching agent is added to the polymerization reaction mixture continuously or stepwise while the monomers are polymerized. The polymer is useful in solid/liquid separations such as flocculants and coagulants in wastewater treatment applications, and as thickening agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing water-soluble or water-swellable polymer products with low levels of residual monomers using acrylic acid and/or acrylic acid derivatives, which process is characterized by adding a nitrogen compound to the monomer solution to be polymerized and subsequent heating of the polymer product at temperatures of from 120 to 240° C. The polymers produced accordingly are suitable for use as flocculants, dispersants and absorbents.

Abstract: Process for providing acrylic (co)polymers suitable for high solids coating applications, comprising the step of:

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to improved polymer compositions and processes for preparing same. Specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing a polymer, wherein the process comprises: providing a reaction mixture comprising a portion of at least one polar monomer and at least one multivalent cation; adding the remaining portion of the polar monomer to the reaction mixture; and polymerizing the monomer to form the polymer. In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture in the providing step comprises at least two molar equivalents or greater of the total amount of polar monomer with respect to one molar equivalent of multivalent cation.

Abstract: A composition for plastic lenses having a viscosity suitable for application to plastic lens materials and other optical materials and capable of giving a cured material having a relatively high refractive index and a low specific gravity, a plastic lens obtained by curing the composition, and a process for producing the plastic lens. A specific dicarboxylic acid component and a specific diol component are employed and the ratio of the components is adjusted to provide the composition for plastic lenses.

Abstract: A curable resin composition which exhibits no drawbacks such as yellowing and exhibits excellent hydrolysis sensitivity is provided, and a process for preparing curable oligomers and polymers which has foregoing properties is provided.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for a continuous, high temperature polymerization process for preparing a free radically polymerized epoxy-functional polymeric product. The process comprises continuously charging into a reactor at least one epoxy-functional acrylic monomer, and optionally at least one non-functional free radical polymerizable monomer. An optional free radical polymerization initiator may also be added. The reactor is maintained at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to cause polymerization of the monomers into a polymeric product, such that the polymeric product is formed substantially free of gel particles. A clear coating is also disclosed incorporating polymers of the present invention, such that the clear coating has a low Delta b value at standard conditions.

Abstract: An electrochromatographic device is provided for conducting enantioselective separation of enantiomers. The device is comprised of a conduit containing a monolithic enantioselective separation medium, and may be, for example, a capillary tube or a microchannel in a substrate. The enantioselective separation medium is prepared by copolymerization of (a1) an ionizable chiral monomer or (a2) a chiral monomer and an ionizable comonomer, along with (b) a crosslinking comonomer and (c) a polymerization initiator, in (d) a porogenic solvent. Following ionization, the enantioselective separation medium serves as a charge carrier as well as a chiral separation medium, and further acts as an electroosmotic pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid. The invention also provides methods for preparing the enantioselective separation medium and electrochromatographic devices fabricated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphate group-containing resin obtained by copolymerizing: (a) a polymerizable monomer having a phosphate group represented by a formula [—OPO(OR)(OH)] (wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms), (b) a polymerizable monomer having a phosphoric acid group represented by a formula [—OPO(OH)2] and (c) a (meth)acrylate base polymerizable monomer having two tertiary alkyl groups in a molecule and to a water based metallic coating material composition comprising the above phosphate group-containing resin and a metallic pigment.