Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing an aqueous size composition by emulsifying a cellulose reactive size not solid at 25° C. into a starch stabilized aqueous polymer dispersion. The emulsification is carried out at a temperature substantially lower than 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilized emulsified or dispersed composition comprising a hydrophobic phase and an aqueous phase, the composition being stabilized by a cationic colloidal coacervate stabilizing agent, the coacervate stabilizing agent comprising an anionic component and a cationic component, the anionic and cationic components being present in a proportion such that the composition has a zeta potential of at least about 20 millivolts. The hydrophobic phase is preferably a non-rosin sizing agent, including a reactive or nonreactive sizing agent, although mixtures of rosin and non-rosin sizing agents can form stable emulsions or dispersions using the coacervate of the invention. Methods of making and using the stable emulsions or dispersions are also disclosed, as is sized paper made using an emulsified or dispersed sizing agent stabilized with the coacervate stabilizing agent of the invention.

Abstract: A dispersed rosin sizing composition comprising rosin stabilized by a cationic colloidal coacervate dispersing agent, the coacervate dispersing agent comprising an anionic component and a cationic component, the anionic and cationic components being present in a proportion such that the sizing composition has a zeta potential of at least about 20 millivolts. Methods of making and using the stable rosin sizing composition are also disclosed, as is sized paper made using the sizing composition.

Abstract: Fillers and pigments, such as clay, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, silicas, and silicoaluminates, can be rendered cationic by treating the fillers or pigments with the reaction product of a polyamine or polyamide and epichlorohydrin. The resulting water soluble cationic fillers or pigments are useful in the paper industry as fillers for paper and can also be utilized in coating paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of formulating an aqueous medium to minimize the swelling and dispersion of subterranean formations contacted by the aqueous medium, particularly the aqueous phase of a water base drilling fluid. The process comprises: measuring a filtration property of a series of aqueous slurries containing particles of the subterranean formation and various concentrations of a water soluble compound which inhibits the swelling or dispersion of shales to determine the concentration range of the compound which maximizes the filtration rate; measuring a filtration property or the zeta potential of a series of aqueous slurries having a varying pH in the range from about 8 to about 13 to determine the pH range which either maximizes the filtration rate or provides a zeta potential in the range of about -10 millivolts to about +20 millivolts, respectively; and utilizing the concentration range of the compound and the pH range to formulate the aqueous medium.

Abstract: An improved drilling fluid and method for drilling a borehole, the drilling fluid comprising an aqueous dispersion of an emulsion polymerized latex comprised of an interpolymer of an olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and at least one other, non-carboxylated polymerizable monomer, the latex being of a type which undergoes rapid increase in viscosity upon the addition of a sufficient amount of a basic material.

Abstract: An improved drilling fluid and method for drilling a borehole, the drilling fluid comprising an aqueous dispersion of an emulsion polymerized latex comprised of an interpolymer of an olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and at least one other, non-carboxylated polymerizable monomer, the latex being of a type which undergoes rapid increase in viscosity upon the addition of a sufficient amount of a basic material.

Abstract: Flame retardant latex bases having an excellent balance of properties are prepared most efficiently and economically by blending together two separately polymerized latexes of different types, the polymeric content of one of said latexes being formed predominantly from a monomer mixture consisting of from about 70 to about 92% by weight vinylidene chloride and 8 to 30% by weight of certain polar comonomers principally of the lower alkyl acrylate class while the polymeric content of the second latex is formed from a monomer mixture consisting predominantly of styrene and butadiene. This technique of producing the desired flame retardant latex bases by combining two separately prepared but simpler component latexes not only maximizes quality control and manufacturing flexibility but also permits the simultaneous realization of higher conversions and reduced polymerization cycles or residence times so that productivity is also maximized.