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: 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 method of preparing a curable coating and a method of curing the curable coating are disclosed. The curable composition from which the curable coating is prepared may be applied to the surface of a substrate in neat form or in aqueous medium to produce the coating. Curing of the curable coating may be accomplished by chemical generation of free radicals, by electrochemical generation of free radicals, by electron beam, by photochemical generation of free radicals, or by other electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: A method for preparing an intrinsically conductive copolymer comprising preparing an emulsion latex in a medium; forming a mixture which comprises at least one cyclic heteroatom containing monomer, the emulsion latex in the medium and an additive under first condition effective to maintain the emulsion latex in a first stabilized emulsion state, causing the monomer in the mixture to polymerize under second condition effective to produce the conductive copolymer in a second stabilized emulsion state. Additives include cyclodextrins, partially alkylated cyclodextrins, poly(vinyl alcohol), partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl acetate) and mixtures thereof.

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.