Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of a latex which can be formulated into coatings having improved water resistance for both moisture vapor transmission and water spotting. Coatings which are formulated with the latex of this invention are particularly useful for coating metal substrates because they provide excellent rust and corrosion resistance. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for producing a neutralized latex that is useful in the manufacture of water reducible coatings which comprises:(1) free radical aqueous emulsion polymerizing at a pH of less than about 3.5 a monomer mixture which comprises, based on 100 weight percent monomers: (a) from about 45 to about 85 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, (b) from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, and (c) from about 1 to about 6 weight percent of at least one unsaturated carbonyl compound; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of a latex which can be formulated into coatings having improved water resistance for both moisture vapor transmission and water spotting. Coatings which are formulated with the latex of this invention are particularly useful for coating metal substrates because they provide excellent rust and corrosion resistance. The subject invention more specifically discloses a process for producing a neutralized latex that is useful in the manufacture of water reducible coatings which comprises:(1) free radical aqueous emulsion polymerizing at a pH of less than about 3.5 a monomer mixture which comprises, based on 100 weight percent monomers: (a) from about 45 to about 85 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, (b) from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, and (c) from about 1 to about 6 weight percent of at least one unsaturated carbonyl compound; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thixotropic thickening agent and to a process for preparing the same. Such thixotropic thickening agents are particularly useful for thickening water reducible coatings. The thixotropic thickening agents of this invention are copolymers which are comprised of repeat units which are derived from methacrylic acid monomer, ethylacrylate monomer, and a water soluble crosslinking agent. The water soluble crosslinking agents which can be used include ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and alkylene bisacrylamides, such as N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide. A neutralized two weight percent aqueous solution of the thixotropic thickening agents of this invention will have a Brookfield RVT viscosity as measured at 50 rpm using a number 3 spindle within the range of 50 to 2000 centipoise (cps).