Abstract: A multi-stage aqueous emulsion polymer including a first polymer having a calculated Hansch parameter >2.0, the first polymer including 0.5-5 wt. % copolymerized acid monomer, based on the weight of the first polymer, and a second polymer including from zero to less that half the wt. % of acid monomer in the first polymer, based on the weight of the second polymer, the second polymer being from 50% to 85% of the total weight of the first polymer and the second polymer, wherein the difference between the calculated Tgs of the first and the second polymer is from 0° C. to less than 20° C. is provided. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including the multi-stage emulsion polymer and a method for providing a coating.

Abstract: New aqueous PNP dispersions are disclosed. A method of preparing an aqueous PNP dispersion from solvent-based PNPs having a diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers is disclosed. An associative thickener composition based on PNPs having an average of at least two phobes extending from the surface of said PNPs is also disclosed. The aqueous PNP dispersions are useful in aqueous-based industrial and consumer products, such as latex paint.

Abstract: A two-pack cementitious composition consisting of iii) an alkaline component comprising gypsum, an alkaline polymer, water and a hydration inhibitor, which is stable in a fluid state and which can be set and hardened upon the addition of an hydration activator, and iv) an acidic component comprising an acid soluble hydration activator, is suitable for forming a self-levelling floor composition. The self-levelling floor composition may be used in a method of levelling a floor.

Abstract: A laminated wall structure, suitable for use in an exterior insulation finish system, comprises the following layers in the order provided: i) a layer of building sheathing; ii) a layer of water-resistant adhesive which substantially completely covers and adheres to said building sheathing; and iii) a layer of thermal insulation adhered to said building sheathing by said water-resistant adhesive. The laminated wall structure, which can be used with all conventional building sheathings, can require less time to construct than known structures.

Abstract: An aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer including, as copolymerized units, 70 to 99.5% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated nonionic (meth)acrylic monomer and from 0.3 to 10% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, wherein at least 40% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, of the emulsion polymer is formed by redox polymerization in the presence of 0.001 to 0.05 moles chain transfer agent per kg dry polymer weight is provided. An aqueous coating composition including the acrylic emulsion polymer, a method for improving the scrub resistance of a dry coating, a method for improving the adhesion of a dry coating, and a method for improving the adhesion of a dry coating to an alkyd substrate are provided.

Abstract: Plastics and plastics additives including PNPs having a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers, the PNPs including as polymerized units at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer are provided. Also provided is a method for providing an improved plastic.

Abstract: An aqueous composition suitable for use, when dry, as an improved coating is provided including an aqueous emulsion polymer, the polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from greater than 20° C. to 80° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer in the presence of 0.01-1.0%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms and, optionally, at least one other oxidant. A method of preparing the emulsion polymer, a method for providing a coated substrate wherein the coating contains the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C., and a method for improving the scrub resistance of a coating by including the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic pigment including dispersing the pigment in an aqueous medium and exposing the dispersed pigment to ultrasonic radiation, whereby the exposed pigment exhibits from 3 to 10 microequivalents of carboxylic acid, or salts thereof, per square meter of pigment surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cleaning reactors. The process utilizes a solvent fed from multiple pressure sources to clean reactors of residual polymers. The reactors are equipped with agitators and stationary nozzles aimed at the agitator blades. The agitator is rotated during cleaning. The process may also utilize heated aqueous base to clean heat exchangers in external loops. In one aspect, a mixture of at least one organic solvent and aqueous base are utilized to clean certain reactors.

Abstract: An aqueous composition suitable for use when dry as a pressure sensitive adhesive including an aqueous emulsion polymer formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer at a reaction temperature lower than 100° C. in the presence of 20-1500 ppm, based on the total weight of the monomer, of an N-oxyl radical, the polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −80° C. to 0° C. is provided. Also provided is a method for preparing the emulsion polymer and a method for coating a substrate with an aqueous composition to provide a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on a substrate.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous emulsion polymer including providing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a free radical redox initiator system under emulsion polymerization conditions, the redox initiator system including a water-soluble oxidizing agent, a water-insoluble oxidizing agent, and a sulfinic acid, or salts thereof, reducing agent; and effecting the polymerization of at least some of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is provided. Also provided is a process for reducing the residual ethylenically unsaturated monomer content of an aqueous emulsion polymer.

Abstract: Sets of prepaints useful for forming a road-marking paint line are provided. Also provided are methods which permit the person applying the road-marking paint to vary the properties of the road-marking paint at the application point to suit the ambient conditions, including temperature, humidity, traffic flow and the like.

Abstract: A pigment dispersant including 80-97% by weight, based on the weight of thepigment dispersant, of a first polymer comprising as copolymerized units 15-75% by weight, based on the first polymer weight, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid-functional monomer, the polymer having a Mw from 4,000 to 16,000, and the polymer having a Tg greater than 70° C.; and 3-20% by weight, based on the weight of the pigment dispersant, of a poly(ethylene oxide/propylene oxide) block second polymer having an Mw from 3,000 to 20,000 and an HLB value of 16 to 32 is provided. And the invention relates to a method for dispersing a pigment in an aqueous medium using the pigment dispersant, an aqueous pigment dispersion including the pigment dispersant, and an aqueous ink including the pigment dispersion.

Abstract: An aqueous ink binder including 30-60%, by weight based on the dry weight of the binder composition, of a first polymer including, as polymerized units, 15-75%, by weight based on the weight of the first polymer, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer having a pKa from 2.0 to 4.6, the first polymer having a calculated Hansch parameter from 1.3 to 2.1, and 70-40%, by weight based on the dry weight of the binder composition, of a second polymer, the second polymer being an aqueous emulsion polymer is provided. Also provides are a clear or pigmented ink composition and a method for providing an ink which has press resolublility and, as a dry film, water resistance.

Abstract: A process for forming certain aqueous polymeric dispersions including a first emulsion polymer having an average particle diameter of 150 to 3000 nanometers and a second emulsion polymer having an average particle diameter of 40 to 600 nanometers where at least the first emulsion polymer particles, when dry, contain at least one void is provided. Also provided are the aqueous polymeric dispersions made by the process and paper or paperboard coatings and paints including the aqueous polymeric dispersions.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition having improved adhesion to friable surfaces including an emulsion polymer of certain compositions and certain acid numbers having a glass transition temperature of −20 C to 100 C and an average particle diameter less than 120 nanometers; and 0.25-10%, by weight based on emulsion polymer weight, water-soluble alkoxylated amine is provided. In addition a method for for improving adhesion to friable surfaces by using the aqueous coating compositions of the invention is provided.

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: Sets of fluid premixes useful for adhesives and caulks are provided. Also provided are methods of providing adhesive lines and a caulk lines using the sets of premixes. Further provided are ranges of adhesives and caulks based on the adhesive and caulk lines. Utilizing these methods the manufacturer, seller, or user can to adjust the adhesive or caulk at the point of manufacture, sale, or use to suit the processing and end-use conditions, in addition to the other benefits offered by delayed product differentiation.

Abstract: A method for providing a caulk, sealant, elastomeric coating, pressure sensitive adhesive, or fabric treatment including: forming an aqueous composition including an aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer, the polymer including, as copolymerized units, 70 to 99.7% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated nonionic (meth)acrylic monomer and from 0.3 to 10% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, wherein the Tg of the emulsion polymer is from −90 ° C. to lower than −20 C., and wherein at least 40% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, of the polymer is formed by redox polymerization in the presence of 0.0005 to 0.05 moles chain transfer agent per kg dry polymer weight; applying the aqueous composition to a substrate; and drying, or allowing to dry, the applied aqueous composition.

Abstract: An emulsion polymer and a method for preparing the emulsion polymer by the free radical polymerization of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer to form a first emulsion polymer and the subsequent treatment of the first emulsion polymer with a colloidal stabilizer, at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a redox system at 20-85° C. is provided.