Abstract: This invention discloses blends of phosphites comprising bis-(2,4-dicumylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite and hindered phenol antioxidants useful as stabilizers against thermooxidative degradation of polymers during melt processing. Polymer compositions comprising the blends show improved resistance to thermooxidative degradation during melt processing as measured by melt flow index and yellowness index.

Abstract: A halogen-free, flame-retardant composition includes (1) organic phosphorus compound (A) and (1′) melamine or a compound derived from melamine (B); or (2) a melamine-phosphorus compound (AB). The composition also includes and olefin polymer and from 0.1-30 wt % based on the olefin polymer, of a compound containing acid, acid anhydride or epoxy groups. The flame-retardant composition may included in a polycondensate composition which incorporate the flame-retardant composition is substantially shortened.

Abstract: A polyacetal resin composition of high flame retardancy and stability comprises a polyacetal resin, a flame retardant, and a basic nitrogen-containing compound (urea, amidine, aminotriazine, hydrazine, derivatives thereof, amide, urethane). The flame retardant may comprise an aromatic compound reactive to formaldehyde and a phosphorus-containing compound (e.g., red phosphorus, organic phosphonates, organic phosphinates, ammonium polyphosphate, and other phosphoric acid salts, phosphates), and the aromatic compound may be a hydroxyl group and/or amino group-containing compound or an aromatic ring-containing resin (e.g., novolak resins, aralkyl resins, vinylphenol resins, aniline resins, aromatic nylon resins, polycarbonate resins, polyarylate resins, aromatic epoxy resins, aromatic polyether resins). The ratio of the phosphorus-containing compound per 100 parts by weight of the aromatic compound is 1 to 500 parts by weight.

Abstract: A plastic lens composition having a low viscosity, a plastic lens by curing the composition, and a method for producing the plastic lens are disclosed. The plastic lens composition contains a bromine-containing (meth)allyl ester-based compound and exhibits low viscosity and the cured composition has a high refractive index of 1.58 or more and a low specific gravity of 1.40 or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polycarbonate resin that has a viscosity average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 17,000 and has characteristic features in an iron content, a free total phenol content, a content of a releasing agent, a fraction of hydroxyl end groups, a 1H-NMR spectrum or the like. The polycarbonate resin has less defects due to flash without increase of an addition amount of a releasing agent to an unnecessary level and therefore is suitable for a material of an optical disk substrate.

Abstract: The present invention offers a resin composition for user as a covering material for wires and cables that excels in fire retardancy with non-halogen, chemical resistance and melting properties, and also excels in workability, heat resistance, impact resistance and flexibility. A resin composition for wires and cables covering material is obtained by blending polyphenylene ether resin with syndiotactic polystyrene polymer, atactic polystyrene resin and non-halogen fire retardant or blending polyphenylene ether resin with syndiotactic polystyrene polymer, atactic polystyrene resin, non-halogen fire retardant and thermoplastic elastomer in fixed ratios.

Abstract: Certain essentially phenol antioxidant-free stabilizer systems that comprise either a binary hindered amine/hydroxylamine or nitrone or amine oxide or benzofuranone system or a ternary hindered amine/hydroxylamine or nitrone or amine oxide or benzofuranone/organic phosphite or phosphonite system are especially effective towards protecting polyolefins against the deleterious effects of gamma irradiation. Polyolefin articles such as medical packaging, hospital garments, draperies, woven and non-woven fiber products, surgery utensils, blow-molded I.V. bottles, hypodermic syringes, needle shields, laboratory ware such as trays, funnels, Petri dishes and filters, and hygiene related articles may be sterilized with gamma irradiation and are stabilized according to the present invention.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the fire resistance properties of polycarbonate sheet can be greatly enhanced by significantly reducing the viscosity of the resin used to manufacture the sheet. Moreover, the fire resistance of the sheet can be further enhanced by carefully controlling the content of phosphorous-based stabilizer, in combination with the processing release agent, within a specific range.

Abstract: Transparent thermoplastic resin compositions include a polyetherimide resin, a polyester resin, sodium benzene phosphinate, and optionally 3,4-epoxy cyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxy cyclohexanecarboxylate and preferably comprising a first polyester resin and a second polyester resin and sodium benzene phosphinate, wherein from 50 to 100 mole percent of the structural units of the first polyester resin include an alicyclic hydrocarbon radical as the diol residue of the structural unit, and wherein less than 50 mole percent of the structural units of the second polyester include an alicyclic hydrocarbon radical as the diol residue of the structural unit, exhibit resistance to elevated temperature and improved impact properties.

Abstract: A transparent/translucent flame redardant composition comprises a uniform blend of a miscible resin blend of a polycarbonate resin and a cycloaliphatic polyester resin wherein the composition has at least a 80% pass rate in 10 test specimen in the Norme Francaise NF-P-92-505 flammability test of L'Association Francaise de Normalisation using test specimens with weight between about 1.0 to about 6.0 kilograms per square meter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flame-retardant thermoplastic resin compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to the thermoplastic resin compositions which comprise a polycarbonate, a styrene containing graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a mixture of alkyl substituted, preferably t-butyl substituted, monophosphate esters, a phosphate ester compound, and a fluorinated polyolefin, whose stress cracking resistance and flame retardancy are improved.

Abstract: The free radical initiated addition polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated, particularly acrylic monomers in which the dispersed phase is stabilised by a surfactant including at least one anionic surfactant compound of the formula (I): R1—(OA)n—X where R1 is C16 to C22 hydrocarbyl including at least two double bonds; OA is oxyalkylene group; n is from 2 to 60; and X includes at least one acidic H atom, and is particularly a phosphate ester group, or a salt thereof, is described. The use of the surfactants of the formula (I) enable efficient emulsification and thus polymerisation at temperatures above those at which non-ionic unsaturated surfactants are effective. The polymer latex products give polymer films having good water resistance properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyelectrolyte having the step of sulfonating polystyrene resin in a state where the polystyrene resin has been dissolved or dispersed in solvent composed of alicyclic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flame retardant resin composition having excellent impact resistance, heat resistance, dimensional stability, and flame retardance. That is, it provides a flame retardant resin composition made up of: 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin (A) containing: 80 to 10% by weight of (A-1) at least one of an aromatic polyester resin and a polyamide resin, 17 to 85% by weight of at least one of a rubber-containing copolymer of a vinyl cyanide and an aromatic vinyl (A-2) and a copolymer of a vinyl cyanide and an aromatic vinyl (A-3) and 3 to 40% by weight of (A-4) at least one of a polyphenylene ether resin and a polyphenylene sulfide resin, 1 to 60 parts by weight of a non-halogen, organic or inorganic flame retardant (B) and 100 parts by weight or less of a filler (C).

Abstract: A composition useful as a sealant, coating, a potting agent for a printed circuit board, a prepreg or an adhesive comprises a compound (A) wherein all or a part of the oxirane rings in an epoxy compound is replaced with thiirane rings represented by the following formula (1): or compound (A) and compound (B) which contains oxirane rings and no thiirane ring in the molecule, wherein the ratio of oxirane ring/thiirane ring is from 90/10 to 10/90.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved flame retarded polyolefin composition that displays good retained physical properties upon aging. The composition also exhibits excellent moldability and it may be easily colored. In a preferred embodiment the composition includes a polyolefin, a halogen-containing flame retardant additive, from at least about 1.00% by weight to about 2.5% by weight of a stabilizer package, and from about 0% to about 1.0% by weight of an acid/halogen scavenger. The stabilizer package includes by weight from about 20% to about 80% of a hindered phenolic antioxidant, from about 20% to about 80% of a phosphite containing antioxidant, and from about 0% to about 40% of a thio-ester antioxidant. In addition to displaying excellent color and physical property development and retention characteristics, the composition of the present invention displays an improved UL94 vertical burn rating.

Abstract: The invention pertains to latex-based compositions and to methods of their use for stabilizing heavy metal on a surface having heavy metal containing paint thereon. A latex based composition comprising a phosphate stabilizing agent and a slipping agent suspended in a latex, such as a latex-based paint, is applied onto a heavy metal containing painted surface before the heavy metal containing paint is removed. The paint can then be removed by mechanical means to produce paint waste in which the heavy metal is complexed to the phosphate stabilizing agent when exposed to natural or induced leaching conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of copolyester for low acetaldehyde content of PET bottles. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer is added with an appropriate modifier in order to decrease the production of acetaldehyde caused by pyrolysis side reaction during the blow molding process of PET bottles. The modifier comprises stabilizer and primary antioxidant, wherein the stabilizer is an inorganic phosphorous compound with an addition quantity of 0.003˜0.5 weight % based on the weight of the total copolyester copolymer and the primary antioxidant is a hindered phenolic antioxidant containing Ca+2 with an addition quantity of 0.005˜5.0 weight % based on the weight of the total copolyester copolymer. The present invention owns an improving effect of decreasing the production of side product—acetaldehyde at least 30% than those without the addition of said modifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a polycarbonate composition. The polycarbonate is prepared by melt synthesis using a sulfur-containing acid compound to at least partially quench the melt catalyst. The polycarbonate composition comprises said polycarbonate, phosphorous acid, further sulfur-containing acid compound and an ester derived from a mono-fatty acid and a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pigment preparation comprising an organic pigment and 0.2 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the pigment preparation, of an ammonium polyphosphate or of an organophosphorus compound.

Abstract: Copolymerizates of methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate are used as plastisols in the automotive sector and as floor coverings. The invention describes a way to increase the storage stability of the plastisols by using small amounts of cross-linking agents.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use, for increasing the durability of moulds made of silicone elastomer crosslinkable by a poly addition or polycondensation reaction, of additive capable of stabilizing the silicone elastomer constituting the mold with respect to materials to be molded, of an additive selected among: (a) antioxidant additives comprising, in their structure additives containing at least one R—Sq—R′ group in which R and R′ are monovalent hydrocarbon groups with at least 3 carbon atoms or a monovalent hydrocarbon group with an ester bond or R and R′ together form a cycle, q being a whole number between 1 and 3 inclusively, (b) additives inhibitors of free radicals capable, in moulding conditions of generating radicals ═N—O; the invention concerns the synergistic combination of (a)+(b), the synergistic combination of (a) and/or (b) with phosphites (c), except for the use of bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate as only additive in a silic

Abstract: A polyolefin resin composition comprising (A) an ethylene-based polyolefin having a density of 0.865 to 0.980 g/cm3 and MFR of 0.01 to 50 g/10 min, (B) a phosphorous compound, and (C) at least one heat stabilizer selected from the group consisting of a phenol-based heat stabilizer and a tocopherol-based heat stabilizer. The polyolefin resin composition has excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance and discoloration resistance, and also when used as a packaging material, does not impair the taste of contents to be packaged, such as flavor or odor, and therefore does not impair the taste of the contents.

Abstract: Translucent polycarbonate compositions include an aromatic polycarbonate, a cycloaliphatic polyester, and a polyolefin. The compositions have excellent optical characteristics and superior physical properties, particularly low-temperature impact strength, compared to translucent polycarbonate-polyester blends requiring inorganic fillers.

Abstract: A polyketone resin composition, which has flame retardancy and is suitable for a variety of molded articles is provided. A flame-retardant resin composition obtained by incorporating 15 to 60% by weight of surface-coated magnesium hydroxide having a specific surface area measured by a BET method of 1 to 15 m2/g and an average secondary particle diameter of 0.2 to 5 &mgr;m into a polyketone resin; and molded article thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compositions that comprise polyphenylene ether resin, polystyrene resin, glass fibers, an organophosphate compound and an amount of mica effective to render the composition V-0 when measured at a thickness of 1.6 mm. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the amount of mica ranges from about 1% by weight to less than 5% by weight, based upon the weight of the entire composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition based on isocyanate(s), advantageously not completely masked. This composition is defined in that it comprises a compound containing an anionic functional group and a polyethylene glycol chain fragment of at least 5, advantageously of at least 7 ethyleneoxy units. Application to organic synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a polycarbonate composition. The polycarbonate is prepared by melt synthesis using a sulfur-containing acid compound to at least partially quench the melt catalyst. The polycarbonate composition comprises said polycarbonate, phosphorous acid, further sulfur-containing acid compound and an ester derived from a mono-fatty acid and a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a two-pack solvent-based ambient curable coating composition comprising a binder of a hydroxyl and crosslinking components. The hydroxyl component includes a linear or branched cycloaliphatic moiety-containing reactive oligomer or blend of oligomers with a weight average molecular weight not exceeding 3,000, a polydispersity not exceeding about 1.7 with at least 2 hydroxyl groups, at least 1, on average, being a primary hydroxyl group. The reactive oligomer is formed by the reaction of an oligomeric acid with monofunctional epoxy. The crosslinking component includes one or more of an oligomeric crosslinker containing at least 2 isocyanate groups. The coating composition of the invention is particularly suited in automotive refinish coatings.

Abstract: This invention provides waterborne polymer compositions stabilized against gelling due to the addition of a poly(alkylenimine) by post addition of certain anionic surfactants. The waterborne polymer compositions of the invention are useful in a variety of coating formulations such as, for example, paints, inks, sealants, textile back coatings, adhesives and the like. Methods of making stable waterborne polymer compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyamide compositions comprising a polyamide, nylon 2,2, and a phosphorous-containing whitening agent having Formula I: Formula I: wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbons, a cycloalkyl group with 5 to 6 carbons, or a phenyl or methylphenyl aromatic group, and M is hydrogen or a metal. In a preferred embodiment, the polyamide is nylon 6,6 (polyhexamethylene adipamide) and the phosphorous-containing whitening agent is a hypophosphorous acid or a metal hypophosphite. Sodium hypophosphite is especially preferred. The polyamide compositions of the present invention have improved molding cycle times, and are tough, white and color-stable.

Abstract: A polyester molding composition reinforced with fiber glass or other silica based filler which has color stability at relatively high temperatures and comprises (a) from 40 to 97 weight percent of a polyester resin; (b) from about 3 to about 60 weight percent fibrous glass or silica based filler or mixture; (c) less than about 5 percent by weight additional ingredients which include a combination of stabilizers consisting essentially of an acidic quencher, a thioester and a phosphonite and (d) optionally from 2 to 30 weight percent of a flame retarding composition.

Abstract: A one-pack type moisture curable urethane composition comprising a urethane prepolymer and an amine catalyst, wherein 0.002 to 50 parts by weight, based upon 100 parts by weight of the urethane prepolymer, of phosphonic ester compounds, phosphonous ester compounds, phosphinous ester compounds or phosphine compounds or any mixture thereof is compounded to give the urethane composition having an improved storage stability, without decreasing the catalyst activity even when an amine catalyst having a high catalytic activity dimethylamino group structure etc. is used.

Abstract: A method for preparing a rubber seal product of a type which contacts a metal surface for sealing thereof, comprising the steps of: preparing a rubber composition comprising acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), (A) a carbocyclic phosphite compound represented by the general formula ##STR1## where R is an alkyl group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group having a mono-, di- or tri-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and (B) an acid phosphate compound represented by the general formula ##STR2## where R' is a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 13 carbon atoms, and R" is an alkyl group having 1 to 13 carbon atoms, the phosphate compound having an acid number of about 150 to 800 KOH mg/g; wherein a total of about 5 to 20 parts by weight of compound (A) and compound (B) are present in the composition based on 100 parts by weight of NBR, vulcanizing the rubber composition to obtain a vulcanized rubber composition; and compressing the vulcanized rubber composition toward a metal s

Abstract: Method for the treatment of mineral fillers using organic phosphate treatment agents. Treated mineral fillers obtained by said method and suspension of these treated mineral fillers in polyols. Use of these suspensions in the manufacture of flexible, semirigid, or rigid polyurethane foams used for the manufacture of molded or nonmolded objects.

Abstract: An acrylic rubber composition which forms a phosphorous inert coating on the surface of a metal member when in contact with the metal member under high temperature contains the acrylic rubber, a phosphite-based material and an acid acceptor which reacts with an acid substance in the composition. The acrylic rubber composition particularly exhibits its effect when used as a sealing member 10 for an oil filter 1 which filters engine oil. In such cases, the content of the phosphite-based material is preferably 8-20 parts by weight and that of the acid acceptor is preferably 1-10 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the acrylic rubber.

Abstract: Damaged thermoplastics can be outstandingly stabilized by the use of a mixture comprising a) 0.05 to 20% by weight, based on the plastic to be stabilized, of at least one polyfunctional epoxide, b) 0.01 to 2% by weight, based on the plastic to be stabilized, of at least one sterically hindered phenol.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition comprising:(a) Alkylene aryl polyester copolymers having metal sulfonate units represented by the formula IA: ##STR1## or the formula IB:(M.sup.+n O.sub.3 S).sub.d --A--(OR"OH).sub.pwhere p=1-3, d=1-3, p+d=2-6, n=1-5, and A is an aryl group containing one or more aromatic rings where the sulfonate substituent is directly attached to an aryl ring, R" is a divalent alkyl group and the metal sulfonate group is bound to the polyester through ester linkages;(b) An essentially amorphous polycarbonate, polyester carbonate or polyarylate polymer containing recurring units of the formula II: ##STR2## wherein Ar is divalent aromatic residue of a dicarboxylic acid or mixture of dicarboxylic acids and Ar' is the divalent aromatic residue of a dihydric phenol or mixture of dihydric phenols. The composition may further comprise acidic phosphorus based quenchers, rubbery impact modifiers, mineral fillers or reinforcements.

Abstract: A polyphenylene ether resin composition which comprises: (A) from 30 to 95% by weight of a modified polyphenylene ether resin entirely or partially modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a functional derivative thereof; (B) from 2 to 60% by weight of at least one of a polystyrene and a rubber-modified polystyrene; and (C) from 3 to 40% by weight of a styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer having an acrylonitrile ingredient content of from not less than 7% by weight to less than 11% by weight. The resin composition optionally contains (D) from 1 to 30 parts by weight of a phosphoric acid ester compound; and (E) from 1 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, each per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of said components (A), (B) and (C). Also disclosed is a molded article prepared from the resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyisocyanates containing uretdione groups bya) oligomerizing a portion of the isocyanate groups of diisocyanates having aliphatically and/or cycloaliphatically bound isocyanate groups in the presence of catalysts or catalyst systems which accelerate the dimerization of isocyanate groups and in the presence of trisubstituted phosphite stabilizers corresponding to formula (I) ##STR1## b) optionally termination of the oligomerization reaction at a degree of oligomerization of 10 to 60% by adding a catalyst poison andc) optionally removing unreacted diisocyanate by extraction or thin-layer distillation.The present invention also relates to the use of the resulting uretdione polyisocyanates as a starting component for polyurethane plastics, particularly as an isocyanate component for the production of uretdione hardeners for powder coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a non-halogen, non-intumescent flame-retardant system comprising at least one flame-retardant agent with the provisos that the flame-retardant system does not comprise Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 or does not consist only of alumina trihydrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a thermoplastic resin composition by extruding the composition through a nickel die to provide an extrudate having a low degree of surface roughness, said composition comprising(A) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin;(B) 0.01 to 1 part by weight of a hydroxy-functional diorganopolysiloxane having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000; and(C) 0.001 to 1 part by weight of an organophosphorous compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation curable composition which includes: (a) an unsaturated ester compound, and (b) a pulverizable vinyl ether compound. The unsaturated ester compound is characterized as having a plurality of unsaturated ester groups per molecule. The pulverizable vinyl ether compound is characterized as including at least one of the following: (a) a compound having an average of greater than 1.0 reactive vinyl ether groups per molecule, and (b) a vinyl ether-containing group bonded to the unsaturated ester compound such that there is an average of at least 1.0 reactive vinyl ether group per molecule. The unsaturated ester compound, the vinyl ether compound and/or a mixture thereof is treated with a reducing agent so as to decompose destabilizing agents present therein that would initiate premature polymerization of the vinyl ether compound.

Abstract: There are herein disclosed a method for preparing a modified resin which comprises thermal/reaction by the use of a norbornenyl group-containing compound typified by norbornenecarboguanamine or its derivative, a method for preparing an epoxy-modified resin which comprises the step of reacting the above-mentioned modified resin and an epoxide, a flame-retarding method, a thermal stabilization method, a compatibilizing method and a surface modification method which comprise utilizing the modified resin, as well as a coating resin composition and an adhesive resin composition containing the modified resin.According to the preparation methods of the present invention, the deterioration of a material scarcely occurs, and a functional group which is excellent in flame retardancy, thermal stability, compatibility and the like can be introduced to the resins.

Abstract: Disclosed is an essentially odorless water dissipatable or dispersible adhesive composition that is useful in forming paper articles and other products that can be recycled through repulping in both neutral and alkaline media. The water dispersible adhesive composition is preferably a hot melt adhesive that is a low molecular weight, branched copolyester containing a sulfomonomer. The copolyester adhesive composition can be used neat or formulated and exhibits broad compatibility with a variety of adhesive additives, including non polar tackifiers.

Abstract: A novel process to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using a specific catalyst stabilizer system is described. The catalyst stabilizer system is specific for producing PET wherein the polycondensation catalyst is a titanium and the stabilizer possesses an irreversible oxidation potential of at least +2.0 volts versus SCE. The novel process results in PET having acceptable color and low acetaldehyde content.

Abstract: Salts of phosphonous acids are useful as flame retardants in plastics. Preferred salts are calcium or aluminum salts of phenylphosphonous acid and of methanephosphonous acid. Plastic molding materials rendered flame-retardant in this way are useful for manufacturing molded parts, especially electrical components, mechanical components, plugs, mounts, housings, coverings, sheathings and overcoatings.

Abstract: Disclosed are transparent blends of a polyetherimide, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate resins, poly(ester-carbonate) resins, and polyarylate resins, and an effective amount of a catalyst to provide transparency to the blends. In addition to being transparent, the blends have good ductility as well as high flexural and tensile properties. The yellowness index of the compositions can be improved with the addition of a phosphite.

Abstract: An antigel agent composed of four types of antioxidants that allows polyamides to be blended with acrylonitrile/butadiene polymers with minimum generation of gels and yields a blend which can be extruded or sheeted to give a uniformed shaped product, for example, sheets and molded articles and is essentially free of plugging the screens of extruder used to extrude hose tube or sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to about 11 and which contain a thickening amount of an acrylate-based rheology modifier, which modifier contains an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a first surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.