Abstract: An excavation fluid composition useful for enlarging a cavity in the earth includes a synthetic polymer and sodium silicate. The excavation fluid composition is formulated so as to enable the fluid in contact with unstable or sandy soils in the selected areas of the excavation to react and form silicate-based derivatives with lesser solubility, and movement and thus improve soil stability at the excavation wall.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in creating boreholes, tunnels and other excavations in unstable soils and earth formations, especially those composed partially or wholly of sand, gravel or other granular or permeable material are disclosed. The fluids include a polymer, and a soluble silicate ion source. The fluids of the invention, when used according to the methods of the invention, have unique dual functionality as excavating fluids and as earth-grouting or soil-hardening compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acrylate-based rheology modifiers for use in aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to 9 and to the rheologically-modified aqueous compositions, which modifiers contain an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di- (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Methods for reducing volatile organic chemical contents of carpet are disclosed which include fabricating the carpet from a plurality of yarn loops or tufts inserted into the backing of the carpet and then coating the backing with a coating composition which contain polymers characterized by an extremely low volatile organic chemical content. Accordingly, the coating compositions themselves contain reduced levels of volatile organic chemicals and, as such, the carpets coated therewith also contain reduced amounts of volatile organic chemicals.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0-20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0-20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0--20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.

Abstract: Acrylic emulsion copolymers are prepared by emulsion polymerization of (A) a surfactant monomer, (B) an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, (C) a nonionic .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and (D) optionally a polyethylenically unsaturated cross-linking monomer. The surfactant monomer is prepared by condensing a polyhydric alcohol or primary amine-containing nonionic surfactant with a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate. At a low pH the copolymer may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion or latex, but thickens upon neutralization of at least some of the carboxyl groups.

Abstract: Acrylic emulsion copolymers are prepared by emulsion polymerization of (A) a surfactant monomer, (B) an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, (C) a nonionic .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and (D) optionally a polyethylenically unsaturated cross-linking monomer. The surfactant monomer is prepared by condensing a polyhydric alcohol or primary amine-containing nonionic surfactant with a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate. At a low pH the copolymer may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion or latex, but thickens upon neutralization of at least some of the carboxyl groups.

Abstract: Acrylic emulsion copolymers are prepared by emulsion polymerization of (A) a surfactant monomer, (B) an .alpha..beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, (C) a nonionic.alpha..beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and (D) optionally a polyethylenically unsaturated cross-linking monomer. The surfactant monomer is prepared by condensing a polyhydric alcohol or primary amine-containing nonionic surfactant with a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate. At a low pH the copolymer may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion or latex, but thickens upon neutralization of at least some of the carboxyl groups.