Abstract: A method for styling hair comprises placing the hair in a desired configuration and applying a hair styling composition to the hair. The hair styling composition comprises a powder of a multistage polymer of a soft polymer of Tg<40° C.; and a hard polymer having a Tg>40° C., and at least 10° C. higher than the Tg of the soft polymer wherein the hard polymer forms a complete or partial shell around the soft polymer the weight ratio of hard polymer to soft polymer being 1.01:1 to 2:1. After exposure to liquid water and drying at temperatures below 100° C., a maximum thermal transition temperature of the multistage polymer in an atmosphere of 0% relative humidity that differs by 20° C. or less from the maximum thermal transition temperature in an atmosphere of 75% relative humidity.

Abstract: There is provided a powder that comprises a multistage polymer that comprises (a) at least one soft polymer having glass transition temperature of 40° C. or lower, and (b) at least one hard polymer having glass transition temperature higher than 40° C., wherein the glass transition temperature of said hard polymer is at least 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of said soft polymer, wherein the weight ratio of said hard polymer to said soft polymer is from 1.01:1 to 100:1, and wherein said multistage polymer, after exposure to liquid water followed by drying at temperatures below 100° C., shows maximum thermal transition temperature in an atmosphere of 0% relative humidity that differs by 20° C. or less from the maximum thermal transition temperature in an atmosphere of 75% relative humidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making shapeable composites in the form of finely divided materials or articles and the materials and articles produced by the methods, the methods comprising forming mixtures by (i) treating an aqueous thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer to increase the particle size thereof to a weight average particle size of 1 ?m or more, and, optionally, dewatering to form a crumb mixture; and (ii) combining a thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer with one or more waste rubber vulcanizate having a sieve particle size ranging from 10 to 600 ?m in the amount of from 15 to 95 wt. %, based on the total weight of polymer and rubber to form a crumb slurry, such that (ii) can take place before, during, after (i) but before any dewatering, or after any dewatering; and (iii) thermoplastic processing the mixture. Thermoplastic processing can directly form articles, like sheets or films. The shapeable composites have excellent adhesion to other materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides fast dry binder compositions comprising one or more anionically stabilized emulsion polymer having a weight average particle size of from 100 to 165 nm, one or more polyamine, one or more volatile base and one or more filler, extender and/or pigment in a composition having a % PVC of from 63 to 80. The invention provides surprisingly stable fast dry binder compositions for such a high extender or filler loading and the compositions dry far faster than binders made with waterborne polymers having a larger particle size. The invention provides high performance traffic paints at a reduced cost in use and coated substrates, such as traffic markings or exterior insulation finishes (EIFS).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making shapeable composites in the form of finely divided materials or articles and the materials and articles produced by the methods, the methods comprising forming mixtures by (i) treating an aqueous thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer to increase the particle size thereof to a weight average particle size of 1 ?m or more, and, optionally, dewatering to form a crumb mixture; and (ii) combining a thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer with one or more waste rubber vulcanizate having a sieve particle size ranging from 10 to 600 ?m in the amount of from 15 to 95 wt. %, based on the total weight of polymer and rubber to form a crumb slurry, such that (ii) can take place before, during, after (i) but before any dewatering, or after any dewatering; and (iii) thermoplastic processing the mixture. Thermoplastic processing can directly form articles, like sheets or films. The shapeable composites have excellent adhesion to other materials.