Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composition, comprising: (A) at least one halogen-free polymer, the polymer exhibiting a total loss of mass of at least about 7% by weight at a temperature of 370° C. when subjected to thermogravimetric analysis; (B) at least one acid source; (C) at least one carbon-yielding source; and (D) at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-purpose alkali-swellable and alkali soluble associative polymers, which are the polymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising: (a) at least one acidic vinyl monomer; (b) at least one nonionic vinyl monomer; (c) a first associative monomer having a first hydrophobic end group; (d) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a second associative monomer having a second hydrophobic end, a semihydrophobic monomer and a combination thereof; and, optionally, (e) one or more crosslinking monomers or chain transfer agents. When monomer (d) is an associative monomer, the first and second hydrophobic end groups of monomers (c) and (d) have significantly different hydrophobic and/or steric character from one another. The multi-purpose associative polymers surprisingly provide desirable rheological and aesthetic properties in aqueous media.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composition, comprising: (A) at least one halogen-free polymer, the polymer exhibiting a total loss of mass of at least about 7% by weight at a temperature of 370° C. when subjected to thermogravimetric analysis; (B) at least one acid source; (C) at least one carbon-yielding source; and (D) at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-purpose alkali-swellable and alkali soluble associative polymers, which are the polymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising: (a) at least one acidic vinyl monomer; (b) at least one nonionic vinyl monomer; (c) a first associative monomer having a first hydrophobic end group; (d) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a second associative monomer having a second hydrophobic end, a semihydrophobic monomer and a combination thereof; and, optionally, (e) one or more crosslinking monomers or chain transfer agents. When monomer (d) is an associative monomer, the first and second hydrophobic end groups of monomers (c) and (d) have significantly different hydrophobic and/or steric character from one another. The multi-purpose associative polymers surprisingly provide desirable Theological and aesthetic properties in aqueous media.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-purpose alkali-swellable and alkali soluble associative polymers, which are the polymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising: (a) at least one acidic vinyl monomer; (b) at least one nonionic vinyl monomer; (c) a first associative monomer having a first hydrophobic end group; (d) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a second associative monomer having a second hydrophobic end, a semihydrophobic monomer and a combination thereof; and, optionally, (e) one or more crosslinking monomers or chain transfer agents. When monomer (d) is an associative monomer, the first and second hydrophobic end groups of monomers (c) and (d) have significantly different hydrophobic and/or steric character from one another. The multi-purpose associative polymers surprisingly provide desirable Theological and aesthetic properties in aqueous media.

Abstract: Personal care compositions having excellent shear, shelf and use stability as well as excellent formulation aesthetics (such as skin feel, residue, moisturizing, emolliency, rub-in, absorption and adsorption characteristics, and the like) are made using inverse emulsion polymers having improved electrolyte tolerance and efficiency.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric repellent to body fluids and having reduced odor on sterilization by irradiation or steam is made by bonding nonwoven fibers with a saturated latex, forming said nonwoven fabric, and sterilizing said fabric, said latex is prepared by polymerizing, in the presence of 0.1 to 2 weight parts of a free radical initiator and a sufficient amount of a nonionic or anionic emulsifier, 65 to 85 weight parts of a soft hydrophobic monomer having Tg of -80.degree. C. to -20.degree. C., 10 to 30 weight parts of a hard hydrophobic acrylate monomer having Tg of +40.degree. C. to +120.degree. C., 0.1 to 5 weight parts of an unsaturated carboxylic acid containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and 0.1 to 5 weight parts of N-alkylol acrylamide or methacrylamide containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, said latex has post-added and admixed therein 0.01 to 5 weight parts of an odor inhibition agent selected from amine-type antioxidants and hindered phenols that function to reduce odor of said fabric on sterilization thereof.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric repellent to body fluids and having reduced odor on sterilization by irradiation or steam is made by bonding nonwoven fibers with a latex, forming said nonwoven fabric, and sterilizing said fabric, said latex is prepared by polymerizing, in the presence of 0.1 to 2 weight parts of a free radical initiator and a sufficient amount of a nonionic or anionic emulsifier, 65 to 85 weight parts of a soft hydrophobic monomer having Tg of -80.degree. C. to -20.degree. C., 10 to 30 weight parts of a hard hydrophobic monomer having Tg of +40.degree. C. to +120.degree. C., 0.1 to 5 weight parts of an unsaturated carboxylic acid containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and 0.1 to 5 weight parts of N-alkylol acrylamide or methacrylamide containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, said latex has post-added and admixed therein 0.01 to 5 weight parts of an odor inhibition agent selected from amine-type antioxidants and hindered phenols that function to reduce odor of said fabric on sterilization thereof.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprising polyester fibers bonded with a water-insoluble, hydrophobic emulsion polymer of 50 to 80 parts by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer selected from styrene, methyl methacrylate and .alpha.-methyl styrene, and 50 to 20 parts of a diene monomer selected from butadiene and isoprene, said polymer having a Tg in the range of -5.degree. C. to +25.degree. C.

Abstract: Viscosity stable polymers containing bound carboxyl groups in latex form when compounded at high solids content and at a high pH are obtained in accordance with this invention when the latex is prepared by polymerizing butadiene or an acrylic or methacrylic ester with an unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of an olefin sulfonate emulsifier. The olefin sulfonates contain a major proportion of C.sub.14 to C.sub.16 aliphatic carbon atoms. By use of this emulsifier, high total solids, viscosity stable latexes can be obtained by direct polymerization.