Abstract: A sealant for separation of a sample of blood into serum or plasma and clot portions, which has a specific gravity of about 1.03 to 1.08 and a viscosity of about 5,000 to 1,000,000 cps at a shearing speed of 1 second.sup.-1 when measured at 25.degree. C. and comprises as the essential component a polymer essentially consisting of the units of at least one of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates, and which forms a separator between the serum or plasma portion as the upper layer and the clot portion as the lower layer formed as the result of centrifugation of the blood sample so that the serum or plasma portion is readily separated from the clot portion by decantation.

Abstract: A levelling agent for use in aqueous paints is composed of a copolymer of a monoethylenically, alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof and an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate having in each case from 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, the copolymer having an average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 80,000 and an acid value of from about 30 to 200, the carboxyl groups of the said copolymer being completely or substantially completely neutralized with a base. The levelling agent, when used with an aqueous paint, possesses improved gloss on the painted surface and re-coating properties for coating with another aqueous paint.