Abstract: Bentonites can be extended for use in drilling muds by addition of a novel polymer blend comprising a low molecular weight water soluble non-ionic or anionic polymer and a high molecular weight anionic polymer.

Abstract: Improved performance and physical properties are obtainable from acrylamide-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate polymers when the polymers are made by using a blend of at least about 15% dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate acid addition or quaternary ammonium salt with dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate acid addition or quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: A stable, water dispersable, substantially anhydrous disperson of water soluble or water swellable polymer particles in water immiscible liquid is made by reverse phase suspension polymerization and dehydration of the dispersion and is rendered dispersable in water by the addition of an oil soluble surfactant having HLB above 7.

Abstract: An exothermic gel polymerization process conducted in the presence of water is initiated at a low temperature, is held for most of the process at a higher temperature by including in the medium a particulate heat sink material, such as sodium sulphate decahydrate, that is substantially insoluble in the medium and which undergoes an endothermic phase change and is then allowed to rise to a higher temperature. Either as a result of the endothermic change, or as a result of a subsequent exothermic change, at the end of the process the heat sink material is again solid particulate material substantially insoluble in the medium and so the product is a dispersion of the material in a polymer gel. The polymer is water soluble.