Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to prepare a polymer dispersion using an aqueous substantially surfactant-free emulsion polymerization process comprising a seed and a feed stage, in which seed stage at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, having a water-solubility of at least 0.3 g/l at polymerization conditions, is polymerized in the presence of an addition fragmentation chain transfer agent and a hydrophilic free radical initiator to form a seed polymer that is substantially insoluble in water and in which feed stage at least one ethylenically unsaturated feed monomer is added to the seed polymer to form polymer particles. With this method a polymer dispersion can be obtained having at least 25 wt. % solid contents in combination with an average polymer particle size smaller than or equal to 300 nm.

Abstract: A polymeric composition for making aqueous polymeric dispersions, comprises hydrophilic macromonomer (I), hydrophobic polymer (II) and bridging monomer (III), wherein the hydrophilic macromonomer (I) and hydrophobic polymer (II) are grafted together in the presence of bridging monomer (III) and the hydrophilic macromonomer (I) has a structure according to formula (1): R—C(X)?CH2, wherein R is a polymeric group and X is a radical stabilizing group. The aqueous polymeric composition is used for making a coating composition, a printing ink, an adhesive, a sealant or caulking material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film forming composition comprising a resin and modified nanoparticles comprising nanoparticles and adsorbed thereon a segmented copolymer, preferably a segmented blockcopolymer, comprising an adsorbing segment and a hydrophobic surface active segment, wherein the adsorbing segment has one or more functional groups that adsorb on the nanoparticles and wherein the hydrophobic segment is more hydrophobic than the resin providing surface migration of the nanoparticles. The invention also relates to novel modified particles and the use of the specified segmented copolymer of specified modified particles in a film forming composition for imparting thereto improved surface properties such as scratch resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use as sagging controlling agent (SCA) in coating compositions of rheology control agents obtainable by reacting one or more polyisocyanates with one or more optically active amines or by reacting one or more polyamines with one or more optically active isocyanates. The invention also relates to rheology control agents obtainable as described above using specific polyisocyanates or polyamines. In addition the invention relates to the use of these rheology control agents in various applications.

Abstract: The use of a commixture as a sag control agent (SCA) in a composition to be cured at a temperature (Tcur) greater than 60° C., said composition comprising a binder and the commixture and wherein said commixture comprises: (a) a thixotropy-inducing particulate polyurea product having a melting temperature (Tm1) at least 10° C. below the intended curing temperature, thereby satisfying the requirement Tm1<(Tcur?10° C.); and (b) a second thixotropy-inducing particulate component that retains its particulate nature at temperatures at least up to said curing temperature.

Abstract: A thixotropic agent comprising a first polyurea reaction product of a first polyisocyanate with a first amine and a second polyurea reaction product of a second polyisocyanate with a second amine different from the first polyurea reaction product precipitated in the presence of the colloidal particles of the first reaction product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use as a sag control agent (SCA) in coating compositions of a rheology modification agent obtainable by reacting one or more polyisocyanates with one or more derivatives of optically active amino acids.

Abstract: The use of a commixture as a sag control agent (SCA) in a composition to be cured at a temperature (Tcur) greater than 60° C., said composition comprising a binder and the commixture and wherein said commixture comprises: (a) a thixotropy-inducing particulate polyurea product having a melting temperature (Tm1) at least 10° C. below the intended curing temperature, thereby satisfying the requirement Tm1<(Tcur?10° C.); and (b) a second thixotropy-inducing particulate component that retains its particulate nature at temperatures at least up to said curing temperature.

Abstract: A polyurea compound obtainable by reacting one or more polyisocyanates with one or more non-chiral mono-amines (I) and one or more chiral mono-amines (II) and co-precipitating the reaction products to form the polyurea compound, wherein 2-98 mole % of the mono-amines in the polyurea compound are chiral mono-amines. The invention also relates to the use of said polyurea compound as a rheology modification agent, in particular as sag control agent (SCA) in coating compositions. The invention further relates to sag control agent compositions, coating compositions and coatings comprising the polyurea compound as sag control agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing crosslinkable oligomers comprising reacting at least one monomer having the structure: VHC?CHX, wherein more than 60% of such monomer or monomers has at least one crosslinkable functional moiety, and at least one monomer having the structure: WHC?CYZ at certain molar ratios and reaction conditions, in which V, X, W, and Z are predefined in the text. Curable coatings, sealants, and adhesives utilizing such crosslinkable oligomers and block, branched, star and comb-like graft crosslinkable copolymers derived from such crosslinkable oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dispersing pigment using an amide-modified resin or an amide-modified hydrocarbyl moiety, and the resulting pigment concentrate or coating or ink composition.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of a granulate for the removal of liquid, gaseous and/or dissolved organic constituents from a process stream, said granulate consisting of dimensionally stable, porous synthetic particles with an extracting agent having a boiling point higher than 350° C. at 1 bar immobilized therein, characterized in that the granulate is obtainable by suspension polymerization of a monovinyl compound in the presence of a polyvinyl compound, with at least 50% wt. % of the monomer units having an aromatic structure and with the solvent for the monomers acting both as a non-solvent for the copolymer and as an extracting agent.

Abstract: A meltable ink composition, which is solid at room temperature and liquid at elevated temperature, which ink composition is suitable for use in an inkjet printer, the ink composition being provided with a resin which contains a compound which is the reaction product of a di-alkanolamine and a monofunctional aromatic acid and optionally a difunctional acid.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for making a block or gradient final (co)polymer comprising a step of radically polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a) a radical precursor and b) an iodine atom-containing intermediate polymer or a mixture of iodine atom-containing intermediate polymers, wherein the iodine atom-containing intermediate polymer comprises at least 50 mole % of methacrylate monomers and is obtainable from a polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for making a methacrylate unit-containing polymer with polydispersity <1.7 and containing at least one cross-linkable functional group comprising a step of radically polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 mole % of methacrylate monomers to a polymer, in the presence of a) a radical precursor and b) I2 or a sulfonyl iodide.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a polymer obtainable from the steps: polymerizing a mixture, that is substantially free or organic solvents, of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which consist for at least 70% of methacrylates, and which comprises specific chain transfer agents, ?-methylstyrene dimer being preferred, to form a first polymer, aqueous emulsion polymerizing a mixture comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the first polymer to form a dispersion of a water-insoluble second polymer, wherein these steps are preferably performed in the absence or the substantial absence of a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for making a methacrylate unit-containing polymer with polydispersity <1.7 and containing at least one cross-linkable functional group comprising a step of radically polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 50 mole % of methacrylate monomers to a polymer, in the presence of a) a radical precursor and b) 12 or a sulfonyl iodide.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for making a block or gradient final (co)polymer comprising a step of radically polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a) a radical precursor and b) an iodine atom-containing intermediate polymer or a mixture of iodine atom-containing intermediate polymers, wherein the iodine atom-containing intermediate polymer comprises at least 50 mole % of methacrylate monomers and is obtainable from a polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A meltable ink composition, which is solid at room temperature and liquid at elevated temperature, which ink composition is suitable for use in an inkjet printer, the ink composition being provided with a resin which contains a compound which is the reaction product of a di-alkanolamine and a monofunctional aromatic acid and optionally a difunctional acid.

Abstract: A method of dispersing pigment using an amide-modified resin or an amide-modified hydrocarbyl moiety, and the resulting pigment concentrate or coating or ink composition.