Abstract: A method for flexibilizing a glass fiber nonwoven bound with a cured urea formaldehyde resin binder is provided in which the binder includes a cured urea formaldehyde resin and 0.5-5% by weight, based on the weight of the urea formaldehyde resin, of a water-soluble polymer comprising 40-100% by weight, based on polymer weight, of a polymerized ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, the polymer having a weight average molecular weight from 100,000 to 2,000,000.

Abstract: An air-curing composition is disclosed which contains an acetoacetate functional polymer and an end-blocked polyformaldehyde chain. The composition is stable to reaction until the formaldehyde is released from the polyformaldehyde chain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition containing a polyacid, a polyol and a phosphorous-containing accelerator. The composition may be used as a binder for heat resistant nonwovens such as nonwovens composed of fiberglass.

Abstract: A polymer blend useful as a binder in an aqueous coating composition containing no coalescent is provided. The polymer blend comprises from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of a hard emulsion polymer, having a glass transition temperature greater than about room temperature, and from about 80 to about 40 weight percent of a soft emulsion polymer, having a glass transition temperature less than about 15 degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: An aqueous leather coating composition and a method for coating leather with the aqueous coating composition containing a multi-stage emulsion polymer which has been contacted with a transition metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate is provided. The leather coating fulfills desirable protective and aesthetic functions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for strengthening a cellulosic substrate by treating the substrate with a formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition and curing the composition. The cellulosic substrates include, for example, paper oil- and air-filter stock, rayon nonwoven wipes, cellulosic laminating stock, cotton woven fabrics, and wood flakes suitable to be consolidated into flakeboard.

Abstract: This invention is a new aqueous paint composition, and its object is to provide a quick-drying paint composition that has a low sensitivity to temperature and has a high rubber elasticity.An aqueous paint composition, comprising (1) a latex which is a film-forming latex polymer having anionic property, where the solubility of the monomers to form the polymer, excluding the monomers that show anionic property, is 0.01-1.50 g per 100 g of water, (2) a water-soluble or water dispersible polymer formed from a monomer mixture containing at least 20 weight % of amine functional group-containing monomer, and (3) an amount of volatile base sufficient to raise the pH of the composition to a sufficiently high level to bring essentially all amine functional groups to a nonionic state.

Abstract: This invention relates to a formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition containing a polyacid, a polyol and a phosphorous-containing accelerator. The composition may be used as a binder for heat resistant nonwovens such as nonwovens composed of fiberglass.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of microfoam in a spray-applied clear waterborne composition is provided, the clear waterborne composition including an emulsion-polymerized addition polymer bearing at least one first reactive group and a reactive modifier bearing one second reactive group and a water-soluble group, the second reactive group being reactive with the first reactive group; applying the composition to a substrate using a spray method; and drying the composition. A reduced amount of microfoam improves the clarity of a film of the composition. Also provided are monofunctional carbodiimide reactive modifiers and substrates bearing the spray-applied clear compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain aromatic polycarbodiimides. Also disclosed is the use of an aromatic polycarbodiimide containing only aromatic carbodiimide groups as a cross-linker for a coating binder polymer bearing carboxyl groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for light-assisted curing of coatings by providing coatings with an enamine content sufficient to enhance the cure rate of the coatings. The coatings exhibit improved weatherability and gloss retention when exposed to light.

Abstract: An air curing polymer composition is disclosed which contains acetoacetate functional polymer and an autoxidizable material. The composition cures on exposure to oxygen. One pack stable ambient curing compositions and a method of stabilizing acetoacetate functional groups to prevent hydrolysis are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with core and shell polymeric particles having microvoids in the core and one or more channels connecting the microvoids to the exterior of the particle. These particles, or LCAPs are produced by forming a core of polymeric acid, encasing the core in a shell polymer permeable to base, and then neutralizing the core such that the core swells, causing the shell to "explode" in a controlled fashion. This controlled explosion causes channels to form in the shell.These particles can be used as control release devices for target compounds, to impart reinforcing properties to acrylic films, as an opacifying agent in coating compositions, and as a supplement or replacement of part or all of the pigmentary material or extenders that would otherwise be used in such coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stable ambient-curing composition containing an active methylene-functional compound and an active methylene-reactive component is provided. A first component bearing at least two active methylene-functional groups is prepared and adjusted to a pH higher than about 7 with a permanent base, after which the pH of the first component is adjusted to a pH lower than about 4 with a volatile acid. Finally an active methylene-reactive component is admixed with the pH-adjusted first component at certain ratios to provide the stable ambient-curing composition.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with core and shell polymeric particles having microvoids in the core and one or more channels connecting the microvoids to the exterior of the particle. These particles, or LCAPs are produced by forming a core of polymeric acid, encasing the core in a shell polymer permeable to base, and then neutralizing the core such that the core swells, causing the shell to "explode" in a controlled fashion. This controlled explosion causes channels to form in the shell.These particles can be used as control release devices for target compounds, to impart reinforcing properties to acrylic films, as an opacifying agent in coating compositions, and as a supplement or replacement of part or all of the pigmentary material or extenders that would otherwise be used in such coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for achieving the maximum film gloss of a dried film of a waterborne coating composition, or paint, is provided. The waterborne coating composition contains a predominant pigment and two emulsion polymers, the three particulate components having certain relative amounts and size relationships to one another.

Abstract: A non-aqueous dispersion for modifying alkyd-containing coating formulations and a method for manufacturing the non-aqueous dispersion are provided. The non-aqueous dispersion contains from about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of a low molecular weight solution polymer, having a selected glass transition temperature greater than about -10.degree. C., and from about 90 to about 40 parts by weight of a polymer which is insoluble in the non-aqueous medium, and where the soluble polymer is attached to or adsorbed onto the insoluble polymer particles. The non-aqueous dispersion is preferably prepared by dispersion polymerization to form the insoluble polymer in a non-aqueous medium in the presence of the soluble polymer.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of microfoam in a spray-applied clear waterborne thermoset composition is provided, wherein the clear composition contains an emulsion-polymerized addition polymers or a multi-staged emulsion-polymerized addition polymers with an average particle diameter greater than about 120 nanometers and bearing at least two first reactive groups and a reactive modifier bearing at least two reactive groups is formed; is spray-applied to a substrate; and is cured. Also provided are substrates bearing such spray-applied clear compositions.

Abstract: A waterborne coating composition containing an aqueous dispersion of a polymer, the polymer being substantially free from hydroxyl, primary amino, and secondary amino groups and the polymer bearing at least two active methylene groups, and an aqueous dispersion of a polyisocyanate bearing at least two isocyanate groups is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the chemical resistance of a coating and a substrate coated with the waterborne coating composition.

Abstract: A method for treating a flexible, porous substrate with a water-borne formaldehyde-free composition and a flexible, porous substrate so treated are provided. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method for treating a nonwoven fabric with an emulsion-polymerized binder containing certain copolymerized ethylenically-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, or derivatives thereof, wherein the binder is partially neutralized with a fixed base.