Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a structure for manufacturing hermetical industrial or food packaging in direct contact with a humid or aqueous medium, the structure comprising at least one layer of polydimethyl ketone in direct contact with the most humid medium, (i) the latter being situated within the packaging when the packaging accommodates water or an aqueous or humid product and (ii) the most humid medium being situated outside the packaging when the packaging accommodates a product which is dry or which is to be protected from humidity. The food packaging comprises, for example, trays, sachets, bottles and flasks and the industrial packaging comprises, for example, pipes, containers and drums.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of PVDF homopolymer or copolymer by radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and optionally of a comonomer, in aqueous dispersion and in the presence of a transfer agent, of a persulphate as radical initiator, optionally of a surface-active additive and optionally of a paraffin wax, in which: a) sodium acetate is added, either at the start of or during or after the polymerization, b) a potassium alkylsulphonate is optionally added after the polymerization, c) an aqueous PVDF dispersion is obtained, d) the PVDF is collected by atomizing the dispersion obtained in c) with air at a temperature of between 120 and 220° C., the aqueous dispersion obtained in c) not being washed with water before atomizing.

Abstract: Copolymers containing trialkylsilylacrylate units are erodible in seawater and can be used to formulate antifouling marine paints. The copolymers are characterized by low levels of silylacrylate component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of a fluorosurfactant present in an aqueous solution, in a gaseous effluent or in both involving a) obtaining an aqueous solution or gaseous effluent comprising 1 to 1,000 ppm of surfactant, b) removing any suspended solids, c) optionally concentrating the solution, d) passing the aqueous solution over a stationary bed of granular active charcoal such that all the surfactant is adsorbed without any solvents being adsorbed, e) halting the passage of the solution and gaseous effluent over the beds of activated charcoal which are eluted with a solution comprising a solvent and an inorganic acid, and then f) treating the solution recovered in stage e) to regenerate the fluorosurfactant.

Abstract: A polymer dispersion comprising an aqueous, continuous phase and dispersed particles of polyurethane, which is based on organic, non-aromatic isocyanates with a functionality of at least 2, said polyurethane having a high degree of crystallinity and whose crystalline phase has a melting point between 25 and 70° C., and a copolymer and/or terpolymer having a Tg (glass transition temperature) between ?20 and +50° C. obtainable by emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomeric materials containing only C, H, O and/or N atoms, which monomeric materials comprise from 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mar resistant transparent co-extruded sheet which is comprised of (a) a cap layer containing particles having a mean particle size of about 1 to 60 microns wherein 90% of the particles are less than 70 microns, at a loading of 0.1 to 18%, melt blended with an acrylic matrix, wherein the particle and matrix have refractive indices within 0.020 units when measured in conformance with ASTM D 542; and (b) a clear substrate layer comprised of an acrylic composition, wherein the substrate has a refractive index within 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite sheeting comprised of polystyrene having a thin protective layer of an acrylic ester polymer and a process for producing the composite sheeting. The process comprises joining a molten stream of each polymeric material in a single extruder discharge conduit such that there is produced a single molten stream having a reasonably well defined interface between the two types of polymeric material, and thereafter, passing the resulting single stream of material through a sheet-form extrusion die having its die lips generally aligned with the foregoing interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for controlling copolymer architecture by a two-part process. In the first step, a monomer analysis is obtained from a test polymerization having constant rate co-monomer addition. In the second step a copolymer is polymerized using a co-monomer feed rate that has been adjusted based on the monomer analysis to produce a copolymer with highly controlled polymer architecture. The method can predict feeds rates to produce any desired polymer architecture from a purely random polymer to a tapered polymer. The method works for terpolymers as well as copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable aqueous solution (A) comprising an azo dye, a borate buffer and one or more masking agents, wherein the azo dye changes its coloration or coloration intensity in the presence of chlorine dioxide. The present invention further relates to a process for manufacturing the aqueous azo-dye solution (A), and to its use for the determination of residual chlorine dioxide in water.

Abstract: Copolymers of at least three monomer units selected from the group consisting of fluorinated acrylic (methacrylic) monomers, triorganosilylacrylic (e.g. trimethylsilyl methacrylate) monomers and acrylic monomers not containing an organosilyl moiety, (e.g. methyl methacrylate) and optionally containing from 0-5 weight percent of a cross-linking agent are novel compositions useful as polymeric binders in long life marine antifoulant coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aqueous dispersions of latex particles having a heterogeneous morphology by a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization, comprising the emulsion polymerizing of ethylenically unsaturated (co)monomers, accompanied by, the addition of cationic and/or anionic and/or nonionic emulsifiers and/or protective colloids as stabilizers, which are directly used as such or synthesized in situ, the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization being performed in the presence of the stabilizer or stabilizers with a monomer mixture, which a) contains at least one nonionic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a glass transition temperature Tg above about 30° C. in a quantity of about 10 to 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated (co)monomers and b) at least one hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a quantity of about 5 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated (co)monomers.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a two-side treated formed rubber article having a polymer coating on the outer surface; and a chlorinated inner surface. It is also related to a process for making gloves using a polymer as a mold release and anti-blocking agent on the outside of the glove, and a chlorination of the glove inside surface. The rubber article can be formed as a powder-free glove.

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: This invention relates to aqueous emulsion copolymers comprising from about 2% to about 20% of ethylene, from about 20% to about 78% of vinyl acetate, and from about 20% to about 60% of a functionalized monomer selected from the group consisting of acid containing monomers, nitrogen containing monoolefinically unsaturated monomers, and hydroxyl containing monomers. The present invention also pertains to methods for making the ethylene vinyl acetate aqueous emulsion copolymers containing high concentrations of functionalized monomers and to ethylene vinyl acetate aqueous emulsion copolymers made by the the novel methods.

Abstract: Processes for the controlled radical polymerization of acrylic and related polymers to produce improved low VOC coating materials, or powder coating compositions, the novel polymers so produced, the catalyst systems employed, processes for application of the improved coatings, coatings so produced and objects coated on at least one surface with the novel coatings are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating an aqueous polymer latex/dispersion of synthetic polymers prepared by polymerizing one or more monomeric materials for at least 80%, involving: A. adding to the polymer latex/dispersion a sufficient amount of at least one reducing agent in one or more portions followed by adding at least one free radical generator in such a way that at least the bulk of the reducing agent has been added before addition of free radical generator is started and maintaining the mixture at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to reduce the VOC-level of the latex/dispersion to decrease to below 1,500 ppm, preferably to below 1,000 ppm after which B. water vapor and/or gas is/are sparged into the latex/dispersion while the temperature of the latex/dispersion is maintained at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to decrease the VOC-level to below 200 ppm, preferably to below 50 ppm, most preferably to below 15 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition for fibrous substances containing 25 to 75 percent by weight of pigment, and 0.5 to 25 weight percent of a polymer comprising 1 to 15 percent by weight of one or more monomers having sterically hindered secondary amine groups and 10 to 40 weight percent of a carboxylic acid monomer. The coating is useful on fibrous and non-fibrous substrates on which liquid inks will be fixed. The non-ionic polymer becomes cationic when contacted by anionic inks, and the cationic nature of the coating provides the substrate with an excellent point of attachment for inks and dyes, resulting in bright, crisp printed images. The coating is especially useful for ink-jet printing on paper, paperboard, textiles, non-wovens, wood, and films.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ethylene-vinyl acetate dispersion and a process for making the dispersion by polymerizing a monomer mixture having vinyl acetate and ethylene in a batch process, in the presence of a stabilizing system of polyvinyl alcohol and without added surfactants, to form an ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer dispersion. The copolymer dispersion has a solids level of greater than 65 percent by weight, and a viscosity of less than 5000 mPa·s when measured at 65 percent solids at 25° C. The dispersion can be dried to form a redispersible powder. Both the dispersion and powder are useful in adhesive and coating formulations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an abrasive substrate formed by the application of a polymer composition to the surface of the substrate. The polymer composition is applied to the substrate in a manner producing an uneven, structured coating on the substrate, resulting in a surface having abrasive properties. The invention is especially useful in producing abrasive non-woven materials useful as wet and dry wipes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a polymer coating composition having a dispersant, microbeads and a high Tg polymer with a Tg of greater than −10° C. for the inner coating on natural and synthetic rubber articles, particularly for latex gloves. The coating for rubber articles, provides an inner surface coating that reduces friction between the latex and the hand to allow convenient donning. They are deliverable from aqueous solution.