Abstract: This invention relates to composite materials for restorative dentistry. More particularly, it relates to new components for dental composites, which impart an attractive combination of good mechanical properties and low shrinkage.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a composition comprising (meth)acrylate amide acetals. Acetals of the present invention are useful as components in coatings for automotive and architectural structures. Coatings comprising components of the present invention cure rapidly with low VOC emissions. In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for making (meth)acrylate amide acetals described herein.

Abstract: Polymers containing ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: This invention discloses resilient, acrylic graft polymers comprising ?-methylene lact(one)(am) monomers such as ?-methylene-?-butyrolactone, and blends of such polymers with thermoplastic matrix resins. This invention also discloses hard, non-resilient, acrylic graft polymers comprising ?-methylene lact(one)(am) monomers such as ?-methylene-?-butyrolactone, and to blends of such polymers with thermoplastic matrix resins. This invention further discloses a general process for emulsion polymerization of ?-methylene lact(one)(am) monomers such as ?-methylene-?-butyrolactone and its copolymers.

Abstract: An aspect of this invention discloses novel copolymeric compositions with repeat units of glycidyl methacrylate and alpha-methylene-gamma-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone. This invention also discloses an emulsion polymerization process for making such copolymers. This invention further discloses blends of such copolymers with polyamides and blends of such copolymers with polyesters. This invention further discloses a process for improving mechanical properties of polyamides and polyesters.

Abstract: This invention discloses blends of copolymeric compositions with repeat units of glycidyl methacrylate and alpha-methylene-gamma-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone with polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). This invention further discloses a process for improving mechanical properties of PPS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to produce isosorbide-containing polyesters. The process allows for higher isosorbide incorporation than previously found while maintaining high polymeric molecular weights.

Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a coating composition used for original equipment manufacturing or refinishing uses in the automotive industry, which coating composition utilizes an acrylic polymer which contains substituted or unsubstituted exomethylene lactones or lactams as a comonomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to produce isosorbide-containing polyesters. The process allows for higher isosorbide incorporation than previously found while maintaining high polymeric molecular weights.

Abstract: This invention discloses resilient, acrylic graft polymers comprising &agr;-methylene lact(one)(am) monomers such as &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone, and blends of such polymers with thermoplastic matrix resins.

Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a coating composition used for original equipment manufacturing or refinishing uses in the automotive industry, which coating composition utilizes an acrylic polymer which contains substituted or unsubstituted exomethylene lactones or lactams as a comonomer.