Abstract: Alkali-resistant core-shell polymers having an acid-insoluble core and an acid-soluble shell are prepared by sequential emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture having acid-ionizable functionality such that the resulting polymer has an acid-insoluble core and an acid-soluble shell. Films from these alkali-resistant, core-shell polymers are resistant to high pH environments where alkali-resistance is required. The alkali-resistant, core-shell polymers are useful in applications such as inks, clear overprint varnishes, coatings, metal adhesion, fiber treatment, paper treatment, cathodic deposition coatings, stain blocking, coagulants and flocculants.

Abstract: Uniformly sized polymer particles of 1-50 .mu.m diameter are made by gradually combining a water-insoluble monomer mixture with an aqueous dispersion of emulsion-polymerized polymer particles in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer and an oil-soluble, free-radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A method for treating substrates with an aqueous composition is provided. The aqueous composition contains an aqueous dispersion of copolymer particles which have at least two mutually incompatible phases and where the particles have an average particle size of from about 20 to about 70 nanometers.