Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of multistage polymer particles comprising a first and a second phase, wherein the first phase comprises structural units of a carboxylic acid monomer or a salt thereof, and a nonionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and wherein the second phase comprises a first and second polymer, wherein the first phase or the second phase first polymer or both comprise structural units of a high Tg hydrophobic monomer; and wherein the second phase second polymer comprises at least 80 percent structural units of styrene. The high Tg hydrophobic monomer is defined as being one or more of the following monomers: cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, 4-t-butyl methacrylate, t-butylstyrene, or n-butyl methacrylate. The multistage polymer particles are useful as opaque polymers, which are used in pigmented coating formulations to reduce the load of TiO2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low Tg shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a coatings composition with an open time additive comprising the steps of a) contacting an aqueous dispersion of alkali swellable polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L; and b) neutralizing the alkali swellable particles with a non-volatile base after or upon contact with the rheology modifier and the binder to form swelled multi-staged polymer particles; wherein the alkali swellable polymer particles comprise a shell having a Tg of not greater than 25° C. and an acid functionalized core; and wherein the core-to-shell ratio is in the range of from 1:3.2 to 1:10. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low Tg shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of multistage polymer particles comprising contacting under emulsion polymerization conditions and in a staged fashion an aqueous dispersion of carboxylic acid functionalized core polymer particles with first monomers and second monomers. The core comprises structural units of a high Tg hydrophobic monomer and/or the first monomers comprise a high Tg hydrophobic monomer, and the second monomers comprise at least 80 percent styrene. The high Tg hydrophobic monomer is cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, 4-t-butyl methacrylate, t-butylstyrene, or n-butyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof. The multistage polymer particles are useful as opaque polymers, which are used in pigmented coating formulations to reduce the load of TiO2. The particles exhibit excellent collapse resistance and unusually low dry bulk density, and do not require acrylonitrile to achieve this desired combination of properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a coatings composition with an open time additive comprising the steps of a) contacting an aqueous dispersion of alkali swellable polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L; and b) neutralizing the alkali swellable particles with a non-volatile base after or upon contact with the rheology modifier and the binder to form swelled multi-staged polymer particles; wherein the alkali swellable polymer particles comprise a shell having a Tg of not greater than 25° C. and an acid functionalized core; and wherein the core-to-shell ratio is in the range of from 1:3.2 to 1:10. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous dispersion of neutralized multistage polymer particles comprising an alkali metal base or a high boiling point amine salt of a carboxylic acid functionalized first stage, and a low Tg second stage (shell). The dispersion is useful as an open time additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of multistage polymer particles comprising a first and a second phase, wherein the first phase comprises structural units of a carboxylic acid monomer or a salt thereof, and a nonionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and wherein the second phase comprises a first and second polymer, wherein the first phase or the second phase first polymer or both comprise structural units of a high Tg hydrophobic monomer; and wherein the second phase second polymer comprises at least 80 percent structural units of styrene. The high Tg hydrophobic monomer is defined as being one or more of the following monomers: cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, 4-t-butyl methacrylate, t-butylstyrene, or n-butyl methacrylate. The multistage polymer particles are useful as opaque polymers, which are used in pigmented coating formulations to reduce the load of TiO2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of multistage polymer particles comprising contacting under emulsion polymerization conditions and in a staged fashion an aqueous dispersion of carboxylic acid functionalized core polymer particles with first monomers and second monomers. The core comprises structural units of a high Tg hydrophobic monomer and/or the first monomers comprise a high Tg hydrophobic monomer, and the second monomers comprise at least 80 percent styrene. The high Tg hydrophobic monomer is cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, 4-t-butyl methacrylate, t-butylstyrene, or n-butyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof. The multistage polymer particles are useful as opaque polymers, which are used in pigmented coating formulations to reduce the load of TiO2. The particles exhibit excellent collapse resistance and unusually low dry bulk density, and do not require acrylonitrile to achieve this desired combination of properties.