Abstract: A paper coating composition is provided, comprising a polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymer comprising at least one side-chain polymer, formed from at least one carboxylic acid containing monomer, grafted onto a polyvinyl alcohol; and a further component selected from the group consisting of binders, thickeners and combinations thereof. The graft copolymer unexpectedly provides superior viscosification and water retention compared to results using a blend of the PVOH and carboxylated polymer where the two polymers were formed in the absence of one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acrylate-based rheology modifiers for use in aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to 9 and to the rheologically-modified aqueous compositions, which modifiers contain an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di- (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to about 11 and which contain a thickening amount of an acrylate-based rheology modifier, which modifier contains an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a first surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Methods for reducing volatile organic chemical contents of carpet are disclosed which include fabricating the carpet from a plurality of yarn loops or tufts inserted into the backing of the carpet and then coating the backing with a coating composition which contain polymers characterized by an extremely low volatile organic chemical content. Accordingly, the coating compositions themselves contain reduced levels of volatile organic chemicals and, as such, the carpets coated therewith also contain reduced amounts of volatile organic chemicals.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: Novel mono- and multi-functional non-ionic urethane monomers are prepared from surfactants comprising poly(ethylene oxide)(butylene oxide) copolymers, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy-terminated, monohydric, ethylene oxide/butylene oxide block polymers and monoethylenically unsaturated aliphatic isocyanates. When polymerized with, e.g. acrylic acid or alkyl acrylates, these monomers provide copolymers exhibiting greatly enhanced thickening efficiency.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0-20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0-20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous copolymer solution useful for thickening and improving the properties of latex systems comprising a copolymer having as monomeric units: about 79-99 percent of a (meth)acrylic acid salt of sodium, potassium, or ammonium; about 0-20 percent of (meth)acrylic acid; about 0--20 percent of a lower alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid; about 1-21 percent of surfactant units selected from the urea reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate with a nonionic surfactant having amine functionality; and about 0-1 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsatured monomer, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of monomeric units in said copolymer.