Abstract: In forming pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres by copolymerizing a nonionic monomer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol and an acid monomer copolymerizable with said non-ionic monomer, anelectolyte is present during the polymerization to promote formation of solid rather than hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Removable pressure sensitive adhesive compositions having enhanced resistance to water-whitening comprising a crosslinked aqueous emulsion polymer are disclosed. The crosslinked aqueous emulsion polymer comprises (a) at least one hydrophobic monomer; (b) greater than 1 wt. % of at least one hydrophilic monomer; (c) greater than 3 wt. % of at least one mono-olefinically unsaturated monomer having an aldehyde or ketone group; (d) optionally at least one partially hydrophilic monomer; and (e) an effective amount of at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible polymerizable surfactant; wherein the crosslinked aqueous emulsion polymer is crosslinked with an effective amount of at least one polyhydrazide crosslinker, the wt.

Abstract: Removable, water-whitening resistant pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) comprising a crosslinked aqueous emulsion polymer comprising (a) at least one hydrophobic monomer; (b) at least about 2 wt. % of at least one hydrophilic monomer; and (c) at least about 5 wt. % of at least one partially hydrophilic monomer; wherein the crosslinked aqueous emulsion polymer is crosslinked with an effective amount of at least one polyfunctional aziridine crosslinker, and the wt. % of monomers (a), (b), and (c) are based on the total weight of monomers (a), (b), and (c).

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions having enhanced resistance to water-whitening comprising an aqueous emulsion polymer are disclosed. The polymer comprises the polymerization reaction product of a polymerizable aqueous emulsion comprising: (i) at least one hydrophobic alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of an alcohol, (ii) at least about 1 wt. % of at least one hydrophilic monomer, (iii) at least about 5 wt. % of at least one partially hydrophilic alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of an alcohol, and (iv) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymerizable surfactant selected from compounds having a terminal allyl amine moiety, substituted phenyl compounds having at least one alkenyl substituent, polyoxyalkylene-1-(allyloxymethyl) alkyl ether sulfate salts, or mixtures thereof, and the average particle size of the polymer is less than or equal to 200 nm. Also disclosed are processes for preparing same.

Abstract: In forming pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres by copolymerizing a non-ionic monomer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol and an acid monomer copolymerizable with said non-ionic monomer, an electrolyte is present during the polymerization to promote formation of solid rather than hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions having enhanced resistance to water-whitening comprising an aqueous emulsion polymer are disclosed. The polymer comprises the polymerization reaction product of a polymerizable aqueous emulsion comprising: (i) a hydrophobic monomer mixture of at least one alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of an alcohol wherein the alkyl portion of the alcohol is linear or branched and contains at least 4 carbon atoms, and at least one styrenic monomer, wherein the styrenic monomer is up to about 30 wt. % of the total hydrophobic monomer mixture, (ii) at least about 1 wt. % of at least one hydrophilic monomer, (iii) at least about 5 wt.

Abstract: In forming pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres by copolymerizing a non-ionic monomer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol and an ionic monomer copolymerizable with said non-ionic monomer, non-free radically polymerizable acid is present during the polymerization to promote formation of solid rather than hollow microspheres and to reduce residual unconverted ionic monomer. These microspheres exhibit reduced adhesive transfer in downstream use as a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive. A water soluble initiator is optionally added to the polymerization mixture after achieving about 90% conversion of the non-ionic monomer to further reduce residual unconverted ionic monomer.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition is provided comprising (a) from about 5 to about 75 weight % of an aqueous suspension of polymeric acrylate microspheres, (b) from about 25 to about 95 weight % of an aqueous emulsion of crosslinked acrylate polymer, and, optionally, (c) a functionally effective amount of one or more auxiliary ingredients for modifying coating or enhancing adhesive performance properties; wherein the weight ratio, on a solids basis, of microspheres to crosslinked acrylate polymer is about 0.025:1 to about 1.9:1.