Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain monionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical combination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: Polymers derived by copolymerizing a hydrophilic vinyl monomer, such as acrylic acid, with at least one hydrophobic vinyl monomer, such as an acrylic acid ester, a methacrylic acid ester, a vinyl ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and the like, prepared in a suitable inert, low chain transfer, organic liquid medium, such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, and chlorofluorocarbons such as 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, and neutralized by a suitable base while still slurried in the inert low chain transfer organic liquid medium, perform effectively as water loss additives for drilling fluids under high temperature conditions. Such water loss control additives are especially effective when employed in drilling fluids having high solids content. Also disclosed are drilling fluids employing such water loss control additives as well as a method of drilling a bore hole in the earth using drilling fluids employing such water loss control additives.

Abstract: A compositon sutiable for use as a molecular weight modifier in emulsion polymerization comprising a dispersion formed by admixing an organosulfur molecular weight modifier, an aqueous surfactant, an electrolyte, and a cosurfactant under conditions which reduce the average particle size of said molecular weight modifier to less than about 10,000 A.

Abstract: A highly dispersed emulsion of an organosulfur compound is obtained by use of a coemulsification system of a surfactant, and an electrolyte, and a cosurfactant and optionally a hydrocarbon; such as a petroleum sulfonate with potassium chloride and hexyl alcohol. Conversion of organosulfur compounds into highly dispersed emulsions increases the reactivity of the organosulfur compound as a molecular weight modifier in an aqueous emulsion polymerization system and permits the efficient use of high molecular weight organosulfur compounds.

Abstract: Iodine or organic iodides are effective in suspension polymerization systems as molecular weight regulators or modifiers. These modifiers are especially suited for the suspension ABS processes.

Abstract: Iodine or organic iodides are effective in suspension polymerization systems as molecular weight regulators or modifiers. These modifiers are especially suited for the suspension ABS processes.

Abstract: High impact plastic compositions are prepared by dissolving an unsaturated elastomer in a vinylidene group-containing monomer or monomers, polymerizing in a suspension polymerization system, and subsequently cross-linking the product in a hot-mixing step employing a peroxide.

Abstract: Unreacted monomer in the water phase resulting from a suspension polymerization is polymerized to form a latex, as by the addition of an initiator to the water phase, in continued presence of the organic phase, thus removing from the organic phase, and therefore from the product, unreacted monomer into the water phase and therein also polymerizing the so removed monomer. The latex so obtained is recycled to the system as at least a portion of the aqueous phase for an ensuing polymerizable formulation. The polymer in the recycled latex becomes incorporated in the polymer generated in said ensuing polymerization. The invention is especially suited to the suspension process for producing ABS type products, affording considerably improved and simplified separation of unreacted monomer from the polymer product and conversion of said unreacted monomer to additional polymer avoiding expensive monomer recovery systems.