Abstract: An opacifying pigment that includes a pigment particle having an average particle diameter of from 0.005 to 5 microns and an index of refraction of at least 1.8 such as, for example TiO2, at least partially encapsulated in polymer is provided. Also provided are processes for forming the encapsulated pigment particle and compositions including the encapsulated pigment particle.

Abstract: An opacifying pigment that includes a pigment particle having an average particle diameter of from 0.005 to 5 microns and an index of refraction of at least 1.8 such as, for example TiO2, at least partially encapsulated in polymer is provided. Also provided are processes for forming the encapsulated pigment particle and compositions including the encapsulated pigment particle.

Abstract: A curable composition including a polymer comprising, as copolymerized units, a monomer having carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof, and at least one of certain hydroxyl group-comprising monomers wherein the ratio of the number of equivalents of the carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof to the number of equivalents of the hydroxyl groups is from about 1/0.01 to about 1/3, and wherein the carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof are neutralized to an extent of less than about 35% with a fixed base is provided. Also provided is a method for treating a substrate with the curable composition and a substrate bearing the cured composition.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition comprising a comb copolymer is disclosed. A method of forming a coating from the aqueous coating composition, and a coating formed by that method are also disclosed, as is a method of forming the comb copolymer. The comb copolymer is characterized in that aqueous dispersions of the comb copolymer have a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25%. The aqueous coating composition is capable of producing coatings having an excellent balance of hard and soft properties.

Abstract: A curable composition including a compound, containing as polymerized units, carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof, and a styrene, ?-methyl styrene, butyl (meth)acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, mono-alkyl (meth)acrylamide, or di-alkyl (meth)acrylamide ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a solubility in water of less than 2 g/100 g water at 25° C.; wherein the compound is either admixed with or copolymerized with a hydroxyl group-containing compound; the curable composition contains from about 3 to about 25 weight percent, based on the total weight of monomers in the curable composition, of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer; the ratio of the number of equivalents of the carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof to the number of equivalents of the hydroxyl groups is from about 1/0.01 to about 1/3, is provided. Also provided is a method for treating a substrate with the curable composition, articles prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A curable composition including a polymer comprising, as copolymerized units, a monomer having carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof, and at least one of certain hydroxyl group-comprising monomers wherein the ratio of the number of equivalents of the carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof to the number of equivalents of the hydroxyl groups is from about 1/0.01 to about 1/3, and wherein the carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof are neutralized to an extent of less than about 35% with a fixed base is provided. Also provided is a method for treating a substrate with the curable composition and a substrate bearing the cured composition.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer, wherein the aqueous dispersion has a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25% is disclosed. A method for preparing the aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer is also disclosed, as is a film produced thereby.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition comprising a comb copolymer is disclosed. A method of forming a coating from the aqueous coating composition, and a coating formed by that method are also disclosed, as is a method of forming the comb copolymer. The comb copolymer is characterized in that aqueous dispersions of the comb copolymer have a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25%. The aqueous coating composition is capable of producing coatings having an excellent balance of hard and soft properties.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer, wherein the aqueous dispersion has a Hard/Soft Balance Advantage value of at least 25% is disclosed. A method for preparing the aqueous dispersion of a segmental copolymer is also disclosed, as is a film produced thereby.