Abstract: A water dispersible, modified polyurethane which is the reaction product of polyisocyanate, polyether polyol, modifying agent containing at least one pendant hydrophobic group and at least two active hydrogen moieties and capping agent. The modified polyurethane may also include a second type of modifying agent which does not have a pendant hydrophobic group. The modified polyurethane can be prepared by reacting the polyisocyanate and the polyether polyol and then adding the capping agent and finally the modifying agent with or without the second modifying agent. The modified polyurethane resists microbial attack, exhibits superior efficiency in thickening aqueous compositions under high shear conditions and achieves acceptable sag and leveling.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer useful as a water absorbing agent. The polymer preferably contains the reaction product of an olefinically-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an alkyl acrylate and minor amounts of a crosslinking agent all in specified proportions.

Abstract: Opacifying and film-forming particles consisting of discrete capsules, each having a solid polymeric shell and a solid polymeric core and having a weight ratio of shell to capsule ranging from 0.25:1 to 0.5:1. The capsules are capable of providing a high degree of opacity and good film integrity in paint compositions in replacement for pigments in binding agents.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer useful as a water absorbing agent. The polymer preferably contains the reaction product of an olefinically-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an alkyl acrylate and minor amounts of a crosslinking agent all in specified proportions.

Abstract: Insulated electrical devices protected against entry and migration of water, said electrical devices containing solid water-swellable, water-insoluble polymers prepared by crosslinking an olefinically-unsaturated carboxylic acid with an alkyl acrylate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing cellulose containing water sorptive products from an aqueous suspension or paper furnish in accordance with conventional paper making techniques. The suspension or paper furnish employed in preparing the sorptive products comprises a polymer component and a fibrous component slurried in water. The polymer component is provided from a specifically defined class of crosslinked copolymers which contain carboxyl groups. A representative polymer from this class includes that obtained by reacting methyl acrylate and methacrylate acid in the presence of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The polymer component becomes water sorptive when the carboxyl groups present thereon are neutralized with a base. In the practice of the process of the present invention, a composite product is prepared from the above mentioned suspension, partially dried, and then neutralized in a specifically controlled manner.