Abstract: There is described a low number average molecular weight (MN<10 kD) and high glass transition temperature (>75° C.) copolymer (optionally a solid grade oligomer (SGO)) that comprises (a) at least 20 wt-% of itaconate functional monomer(s), (b) not more than 40% of a hydrophilic monomer, preferably an acid functional monomer(s) in an amount sufficient to achieve an acid value from 65 to 325 mg KOH per g of solid polymer; (c) optionally not more than 70% of other monomers not being either (a) or (b), having a max content of vinyl aromatic monomer(s) of 40 wt-% and/or max content of methacrylate(s) of 40 wt-%; where the weight percentages of monomers (a), (b) and (c) are calculated as a proportion of the total amount of monomers in the copolymer being 100%.

Abstract: There is described a low number average molecular weight (MN<10 kD) and high glass transition temperature (>75° C.) copolymer (optionally a solid grade oligomer (SGO)) that comprises (a) at least 20 wt-% of itaconate functional monomer(s), (b) not more than 40% of a hydrophilic monomer, preferably an acid functional monomer(s) in an amount sufficient to achieve an acid value from 65 to 325 mg KOH per g of solid polymer; (c) optionally not more than 70% of other monomers not being either (a) or (b), having a max content of vinyl aromatic monomer(s) of 40 wt-% and/or max content of methacrylate(s) of 40 wt-%; where the weight percentages of monomers (a), (b) and (c) are calculated as a proportion of the total amount of monomers in the copolymer being 100%.

Abstract: There is described a low number average molecular weight (MN<10 kD) and high glass transition temperature (>75° C.) copolymer (optionally a solid grade oligomer (SGO)) that comprises (a) at least 20 wt-% of itaconate functional monomer(s), (b) not more than 40% of a hydrophilic monomer, preferably an acid functional monomer(s) in an amount sufficient to achieve an acid value from 65 to 325 mg KOH per g of solid polymer; (c) optionally not more than 70% of other monomers not being either (a) or (b), having a max content of vinyl aromatic monomer(s) of 40 wt-% and/or max content of methacrylate(s) of 40 wt-%; where the weight percentages of monomers (a), (b) and (c) are calculated as a proportion of the total amount of monomers in the copolymer being 100%.

Abstract: Polymeric ink binders are described that comprise two parts A and B (optionally particles having a core B and shell A): where part A is an oligomer of: A-I a ureido monomer (e.g. N-(2-methylacryloyloxyethyl)ethylene urea, MEEU)?0.01% w/w; A-I1a C1-8(meth)acrylate (e.g. n-butyl acrylate, BA), methyl methacrylate, MMA), <96.99% w/w; and A-III is a (meth)acrylic acid (e.g. methacrylic acid, MAA)?0.01% w/w, where the part A is obtained by emulsion polymerisation in the presence of a C6-20alkylmercaptan as a chain transfer agent (CTA) and/or a C6-20 alkylsulphate salt as a surfactant; and part B is a polymer of: B-I a ureido monomer (e.g. N-(2-methylacryloyloxyethyl)ethylene urea, MEEU)?0.01% w/w; and B-I 1 a C1-8(meth)acrylate (e.g. butyl acrylate, BA, methyl methacrylate, MMA)<96.99% w/w. Use of ureido monomers to prepare ink binders having improved chemical resistance is also described.

Abstract: Water-soluble films suitable for water-dissolvable packaging comprising a polyurethane polymer having defined amounts of poly(ethylene oxide) (and optionally poly(propylene oxide)) groups and acid (preferably carboxyl) groups at least 50% neutralised with a base, at least a proportion of which is of the non-volatile type, the polyurethane being made by chain extension of a urethane prepolymer. Also water-soluble packaging (sachets, capsules, bags) made from the films and their use in packaging various materials, and a process for the production of aqueous polyurethane solutions which may be used for making such films.

Abstract: Water-soluble films suitable for water-dissolvable packaging comprising a polyurethane polymer having defined amounts of poly(ethylene oxide) (and optionally poly(propylene oxide)) groups and acid (preferably carboxyl) groups at least 50% neutralised with a base, at least a proportion of which is of the non-volatile type, the polyurethane being made by chain extension of a urethane prepolymer. Also water-soluble packaging (sachets, capsules, bags) made from the films and their use in packaging various materials, and a process for the production of aqueous polyurethane solutions which may be used for making such films.

Abstract: An aqueous crosslinkable coating composition comprising i) an autoxidizably crosslinkable polymer, ii) a not autoxidizably crosslinkable vinyl polymer bearing carbonyl groups and iii) carbonyl-reactive groups to crosslink the vinyl polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous crosslinkable coating compositions comprising i) an autoxidisably crosslinkable polymer, ii) a not autoxidisably crosslinkable vinyl polymer bearing acetoacetyl groups and iii) acetoacetyl-reactive groups to crosslink the vinyl polymer.

Abstract: Aqueous polymer dispersion containing a water-dispersed polyurethane polymer and a vinyl (preferably acrylic) polymer in a weight ratio of from 30/70 to 5/95, wherein said polyurethane polymer is the reaction product of: A) an isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an acid value of ≧44 mg KOH/g of prepolymer (solids) and formed from reactants comprising an organic polyisocyanate component and an organic poly(isocyanate-reactive) group) component in which the isocyanate-reactive groups are selected from —OH and optionally one or more of —NH2, —NH—, and —SH (usually a polyol), wherein i) at least 70 weight % of said polyisocyanate component is constituted by at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate, ii) said poly(isocyanate-reactive group) component includes at least one acid-bearing poly(isocyanate-reactive group) compound for providing anionic groups which provide or contribute to water-dispersibility, iii) the reactants are used in amounts corresponding to a ra

Abstract: Process for making organic solvent-free aqueous crosslinkable polymer composition comprising: a) preparing an aqueous solution of an acid-functional oligomer with Tg 10 to 125.degree. C. and having crosslinker functional groups; b) conducting an aqueous emulsion polymerization to make an aqueous emulsion of an olefinic hydrophobic polymer in the presence of the aqueous oligomer solution, the hydrophobic polymer having Tg at least 25.degree. C. below that of the oligomer and optionally crosslinker functional groups, and c) combining with a crosslinking agent reactable with the crosslinker groups of the oligomer and polymer, said composition having Koenig hardness of .gtoreq.40 sec and minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) .ltoreq.55.degree. C. Also the aqueous composition so formed and its use in various applications. The aqueous composition has excellent properties and in particular an advantageous balance of MFFT and Koenig hardness.

Abstract: Process for making organic solvent-free aqueous crosslinkable polymer composition comprising: a) preparing an aqueous solution of an acid-functional olgiomer with Tg below 50.degree. C. and having crosslinker functional groups; b) conducting an aqueous emulsion polymerisation to make an aqueous emulsion of an olefinic hydrophobic polymer in the presence of the aqueous oligomer solution, the hydrophobic polymer having Tg at least 25.degree. C. higher than that of the oligomer and optionally crosslinker functional groups, and c) combining with a crosslinking agent reactable with the crosslinker groups of the oligomer and polymer, said composition having Koenig hardness of .gtoreq.40 sec and minimum film forming temperature (MFFT).ltoreq.55.degree. C. Also the aqueous composition so formed and its use in various applications. The aqueous composition has excellent properties and in particular an advantageous balance of MFFT and Koenig hardness.