Abstract: C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl ethylcellulose ethers are substantially soluble in toluene, and toluene and heptane mixtures. Such organo-soluble cellulose ethers are useful in thickening organic solvent systems comprised of toluene.

Abstract: Improved reaction efficiencies are obtained when water is removed during a reaction of alkali cellulose and an etherifying agent to produce cellulose ethers. The removal of water during the etherification reaction reduces the amount of by-products formed during the reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the amounts of a coating material on an applicator roll. A beam of light is projected so that only a first portion thereof is intercepted by the coating material on the applicator roll. At least a fraction of the remaining light portion passes through an aperture defined by a slotted shield member and the coated roll surface, said fraction varying with the thickness of said material on the roll surface, and detector means disposed to measure said variable fraction.

Abstract: Thermoplastic microspheres are readily expanded to low densities by heating in water in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making polystyrene with M.sub.w between about 1,000 and about 50,000 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n ratio of less than about 8 by cationically polymerizing styrene monomer under substantially isothermal conditions where the conversion of styrene monomer is carried out in 2 or more stages by contacting with a cation generator. The polystyrene product finds utility as plasticizer for high molecular weight polystyrenes, as a binder resin in various coating applications, and as a precursor for further functionalized polystyrene derivatives. For example, a polystyrene of about 13,000 M.sub.w and M.sub.w /M.sub.n of about 4.9 is prepared by contacting styrene monomer with BF.sub.3 in 4 stages between a temperature of about 60.degree. C. and about 80.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates a relatively low molecular weight polystyrene having a narrow molecular weight distribution range in combination with a 1 to 3-aromatic hydrocarbon ring compound, chloromethylated derivatives thereof, quaternary amine derivatives of said chloromethylated derivatives and the use of such amines as electroconductive resins for the preparation of electroconductive coated papers useful for electrographic printing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making polystyrene with M.sub.w between about 200 and about 50,000 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n ratio of less than about 8 by cationically polymerizing styrene monomer under substantially isothermal conditions where the conversion of styrene monomer is carried out in 2 or more stages by contacting with a cation generator. The polystyrene product finds utility as plasticizer for high molecular weight polystyrenes, as a binder resin in various coating applications, and as a precursor for further functionalized polystyrene derivatives. For example, a polystyrene of about 13,000 M.sub.w and M.sub.w /M.sub.n of about 4.9 is prepared by contacting styrene monomer with BF.sub.3 in 4 stages between a temperature of about 60.degree. C and about 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Vinylidene chloride microspheres are polymerized in relatively large vessels with a relatively reduced peak exotherm employing a small quantity of a comonomer such as methacrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate, sytrene or butadiene which has a higher copolymerization reactivity with respect to acrylonitrile and a lower propagation rate constant.

Abstract: This invention relates a relatively low molecular weight polystyrene having a narrow molecular weight distribution range in combination with a 1 to 3-aromatic hydrocarbon ring compound, chloromethylated derivatives thereof, quaternary amine derivatives of said chloromethylated derivatives and the use of such amines as electroconductive resins for the preparation of electroconductive coated papers useful for electrographic printing.

Abstract: Expandable styrene-acrylonitrile microspheres are prepared by polymerizing a mixture of styrene and acrylonitrile with a volatile liquid blowing agent in an encapsulating system to provide expandable microspheres with a styrene-acrylonitrile polymer shell and a single drop of liquid blowing agent encapsulated symmetrically therein. Expandable microspheres of larger size, narrower size distribution and improved expansion characteristics are obtained using an alcohol in the polymerization system.