Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component core-shell polymeric microfibers for reinforcing concrete comprising as a first component (shell) ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymer and at least one plasticizer, preferably, polyethylene glycol, and as a second component (core) a polymer chosen from a polyamide, a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a polymer blend of a polyolefin and an anhydride grafted polyolefin and having an aspect ratio of length to diameter (L/D) or equivalent diameter of from 300 to 1000. The bi-component polymeric microfibers comprise from 5 to 45 wt. % of the first component, are easily processed, and provide fiber cements having improved mechanical properties at relatively low microfiber loadings.

Abstract: The present invention provides low tack, low temperature flexible aqueous caulk or sealant compositions comprising multistage aqueous emulsion copolymers having a hard stage and a soft stage, the soft stage including, in copolymerized form, one or more nonionic monomers and (i) methacrylic acid (MAA) or a salt thereof and a second acid monomer having a lower pKa than methacrylic acid or a salt thereof, or (ii) a copolymer having a mixture of acid or salt groups and hydroxyl groups, the acid groups chosen from, in copolymerized form, MAA and the second acid monomer, or salts thereof; and the hard stage having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) against polystyrene standards of from 20,000 to 70,000.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component polymeric macrofibers having an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) outer component and a core or second component comprising a polymer blend of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and polypropylene or polyethylene. The bi-component polymeric macrofibers provide excellent fiber reinforcement in concrete applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides low tack, low temperature flexible aqueous caulk or sealant compositions comprising multistage aqueous emulsion copolymers having a hard stage and a soft stage, the soft stage including, in copolymerized form, one or more nonionic monomers and (i) methacrylic acid (MAA) or a salt thereof and a second acid monomer having a lower pKa than methacrylic acid or a salt thereof, or (ii) a copolymer having a mixture of acid or salt groups and hydroxyl groups, the acid groups chosen from, in copolymerized form, MAA and the second acid monomer, or salts thereof; and the hard stage having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) against polystyrene standards of from 20,000 to 70,000.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component polymeric macrofibers having an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) outer component and a core or second component comprising a polymer blend of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and polypropylene or polyethylene. The bi-component polymeric macrofibers provide excellent fiber reinforcement in concrete applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process comprising: A) polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a solvent that comprises a heavy hydrocarbon solvent and a light hydrocarbon solvent, to form a polymer solution; B) transferring the polymer solution to a Liquid-Liquid Separator, without adding heat to the solution, and wherein the pressure of the polymer solution is actively reduced in a controlled manner prior to, or within, the Liquid-Liquid Separator, to induce at least two liquid phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, and wherein the concentration of polymer in the polymer-rich phase is higher than that in the polymer solution transferred to the Liquid-Liquid Separator; and C) removing the solvent-rich phase.

Abstract: A polymeric nanofoam has a continuous polymer phase containing at least one (meth)acrylic-free acrylonitrile-containing copolymer and at least one (meth)acrylic polymer where the concentration of (meth)acrylic polymer is in a range of 5-90 weight-percent of the total continuous polymer phase while the amount of methacrylic copolymer is 50 weight-percent or less of the total continuous polymer phase; the polymeric foam having a porosity of at least 50%, an absence of nano-sized nucleating additives and at least one of the following: (a) a number average cell size of 500 nanometers or less; and (b) an effective nucleation site density of at least 1×1014 sites per cubic centimeter of prefoamed material. The total weight of copolymerized acrylonitrile is in a range of 3-28 weight-percent based on total continuous polymer phase weight. At least one (meth)acrylic-free acrylonitrile-containing copolymer has a higher glass transition temperature than all of the (meth)acrylic polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process comprising: A) polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a solvent that comprises a heavy hydrocarbon solvent and a light hydrocarbon solvent, to form a polymer solution; B) transferring the polymer solution to a Liquid-Liquid Separator, without adding heat to the solution, and wherein the pressure of the polymer solution is actively reduced in a controlled manner prior to, or within, the Liquid-Liquid Separator, to induce at least two liquid phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, and wherein the concentration of polymer in the polymer-rich phase is higher than that in the polymer solution transferred to the Liquid-Liquid Separator; and C) removing the solvent-rich phase.