Abstract: Provided are polymers having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an aromatic group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is a fatty alkyl group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and R.sup.5 is a hardening alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, and R.sup.6 are each independently hydrogen or methyl, and y, is chosen in relation to x and z such that a film of said polymer has improved alkali resistance. Also provided is a method of coating a substrate comprising (i) contacting a surface of a substrate with an aqueous dispersion composition comprising a polymer as defined above, and (ii) drying said surface to form a film of said polymer in contact with said surface. In preferred methods, said polymer in aqueous dispersion is supplied to said surface by a hydrophilic cylindrical transfer roll. These polymers are particularly useful as the binder for an ink composition, or an overprint varnish, having good alkali resistance.

Abstract: Provided are aqueous dispersion consisting essentially of high-molecular weight polymer prepared by aqueous suspension polymerizing a blend of monomers, said blend consisting essentially of: (i) a plasticizing amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of plasticizing alkyl acrylate monomers and mixtures thereof, (ii) a hardening amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of hardening alkyl acrylate monomers and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of di-ethylenically unsaturated monomers and mixtures thereof, in an aqueous suspension comprising a polymer component consisting essentially of a low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer having carboxylate functionality.

Abstract: Provided are polymers produced by the process of polymerizing monomers comprised of:(i) an aromatic monomer having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2) wherein R.sup.1 is an aromatic group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or methyl,(ii) a long-chain aliphatic monomer having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(C(O)OR.sup.3)(R.sup.4) wherein R.sup.3 is a fatty alkyl group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and R.sup.4 is hydrogen or methyl,(iii) a hardening monomer having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(C(O)OR.sup.5)(R.sup.6) wherein R.sup.5 is a hardening alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sup.6 is hydrogen or methyl, and(iv) a plasticizing monomer having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(C(O)OR.sup.7)(R.sup.8) wherein R.sup.7 is a plasticizing alkyl group (preferably having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms) and R.sup.

Abstract: A latex which affords a film having superior heat resistance, gloss, and transparency is comprised of: (1) water; (2) a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer solubilized by a solubilizing amount of ammonium hydroxide; (3) a graft copolymer which is comprised of a portion of the solubilized styrenemaleic anhydride copolymer onto which is grafted a polymer formed from the polymerization of one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate, an aromatic alkenyl monomer, an aliphatic alkenyl monomer, and combinations thereof; (4) a polymer dispersed in the water which is comprised of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate, an aromatic alkenyl monomer, an aliphatic alkenyl monomer, and combinations thereof dispersed in the water; (5) a nonionic or anionic surfactant, or a combination thereof; and, (6) optionally, zinc or zirconyl ammonium carbonate.