Abstract: A latex of a styrene-based block copolymer includes a styrene-based block copolymer and water. The styrene-based block copolymer includes a toluene insoluble content of 30 to 95 wt %. The latex of the styrene-based block copolymer is superior in the processability and can provide a molded film such as a dip-molded product having the high tear strength, the high stress retention and the soft texture.

Abstract: A liquid latex emulsion is compressed to align the randomly arranged molecules to form rows of aligned molecules. A continuous flow of the liquid is created in the direction of the rows of aligned molecules. A first latex layer of rows of aligned latex molecules is created on a form by immersing the form into the continuous flow of compressed liquid at a first immersion angle. A second latex layer is created on the first latex layer, the second latex layer has rows of aligned latex molecules extending in a direction different the rows of aligned latex molecules of the first layer. The second latex layer is formed by immersing the form with the first latex layer into the flow of compressed liquid at an immersion angle different from the first immersion angle.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a carboxyl group-containing polymer composition that is excellent in all of the following: dispersibility in water or the like immediately after the preparation, storage stability, and the transparency of a neutral viscous solution thereof. A method for producing a carboxyl group-containing polymer composition, the carboxyl group-containing polymer composition comprising a carboxyl group-containing polymer (A) that is a copolymer of monomers comprising an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid (a-1) and a compound (a-2) having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule; and a nonionic surfactant (B), the method comprising the step of copolymerizing the monomers, wherein in the step, the nonionic surfactant (B) is added into the system when the polymerization degree of the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid (a-1) has reached 70 to 100%.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer particles which are formed by contacting monomers with aqueous dispersions comprising monodisperse swellable seed polymers/oligomers, and initiating polymerization in the presence of a steric stabilizer. The resulting swollen seed particles are characterized by the particle mode diameter.

Abstract: Polymer capsules from amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising reactive, hydrophobic polyolefin backbones, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafts are produced by self-assembly of the polymers at the oil-water interface, and crosslinking the assembly with bis-cyclooctene PEG derivatives in conjunction with ring-open metathesis polymerization catalysts. The use of the graft copolymer architecture in capsule synthesis provides significant opportunities to tune both the surface properties, in terms of recognition, and the membrane properties, in terms of mechanical strength, encapsulation, and release.

Abstract: New process conditions are described and more particularly emulsion polymerization of compositions which are based on copolymers of vinyl acetate, straight chain ?-olefin and an optional third different olefinically-unsaturated co-monomer in which the ?-olefin is emulsified prior to the addition into the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of epoxy-modified vinyl chloride-vinyl ester copolymers in the form of the solid resins involves aqueous, free radical polymerization of a mixture comprising a) from 50 to 90% by weight of vinyl chloride, b) from 5 to 25% by weight of epoxide-containing vinyl monomers and c) from 5 to 25% by weight of one or more vinyl esters of straight-chain or branched alkylcarboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, d) from 0 to 40% by weight of further comonomers copolymerizable with a), b) and c), the data in % by weight summing to 100% by weight, and subsequent drying of the aqueous dispersions obtained thereby, polymerization being effected by means of suspension polymerization in the presence of aldehyde regulators.

Abstract: A pH-sensitive polymer which has cytotoxic or membranolytic properties at pH values below pH 6.5. Carriers for natural or synthetic biomolecules or active pharmaceutical ingredients using such a pH-sensitive polymer.

Abstract: Polymer capsules from amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising reactive, hydrophobic polyolefin backbones, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafts are produced by self-assembly of the polymers at the oil-water interface, and crosslinking the assembly with bis-cyclooctene PEG derivatives in conjunction with ring-open metathesis polymerization catalysts. The use of the graft copolymer architecture in capsule synthesis provides significant opportunities to tune both the surface properties, in terms of recognition, and the membrane properties, in terms of mechanical strength, encapsulation, and release.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing microcapsules comprising a lipophilic capsule core and a capsule wall synthesized from 30% to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or more monomers (monomers I) from the group comprising C1-C24 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and maleic acid, 0% to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or more difunctional or polyfunctional monomers (monomers II) which are sparingly soluble or insoluble in water, and 0% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers, of one or more other monomers (monomers III).

Abstract: A description is given of coating compositions comprising at least one strongly basic agent to set a pH of at least 10, at least one selected vinyl ester copolymer, if desired, pigment and/or filler, and, if desired, further additives customary per se. The coating compositions can be stored without use of additional preservatives and can be used to coat substrates of all kinds.

Abstract: A hydrophobic acidic group-containing polymeric monomer (a); a water-soluble polymeric monomer (b); water (c); a photopolymerization initiator (d); an aromatic tertiary amine (e) having an electron-withdrawing group; a cross-linkable polymeric monomer (f); and a basic compound (g) for producing a water-soluble salt through a reaction with a part of the hydrophobic acidic group-containing polymeric monomer (a) are included as essential compounding ingredients. A one-part dental adhesive composition that exhibits high adhesive strength and high storage stability in adhesion between a teeth, and more particularly enamel or dentine, and a dental repairing material, and more particularly a resin material, is provided.

Abstract: Polymer capsules from amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising reactive, hydrophobic polyolefin backbones, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafts are produced by self-assembly of the polymers at the oil-water interface, and crosslinking the assembly with bis-cyclooctene PEG derivatives in conjunction with ring-open metathesis polymerization catalysts. The use of the graft copolymer architecture in capsule synthesis provides significant opportunities to tune both the surface properties, in terms of recognition, and the membrane properties, in terms of mechanical strength, encapsulation, and release.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pH-sensitive polymer which is a (meth)acrylate copolymer composed of 20 to 65% by weight acrylic and/or methacrylic acid units and 80 to 35% by weight units of C1- to C18-alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, characterized in that it has a molecular weight in the range from 1 000 to 50 000 g/mol, and brings about at least 60% haemolysis at pH 5.5, and less than 5% haemolysis at pH 7.4, in a concentration of 150 ?g/ml in a cytotoxicity test with human red blood cells. The invention further relates to the use of the pH-sensitive polymer as carrier for pharmaceutically effective biomolecules or active pharmaceutical ingredients and as ingredient of corresponding dosage forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition containing a polymer blend dispersion including: a first polymer having a relatively low molecular weight and a relatively low glass transition temperature and comprising a self-crosslinking monomer; and a second polymer having a relatively high molecular weight and a relatively high glass transition temperature. Latex paint compositions and architectural coatings containing the coating composition according to the invention are also described herein, as well as substrates coated therewith.

Abstract: There is provided an aqueous composition comprising (a) at least one anionically stabilized latex polymer, (b) at least one polyfunctional amine, and (c) at least one volatile base; wherein said polymer (a) has Tg of 21° C. or higher. Also provided are methods for coating leather and for coating elastomer comprising the step of applying to said leather or said elastomer at least one layer of an aqueous coating composition comprising (a) at least one anionically stabilized latex polymer, (b) at least one polyfunctional amine, and (c) at least one volatile base.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing an aqueous resin dispersion in which the average particle diameter of the dispersed resin is not more than 500 nm, comprising finely dispersing a monomeric mixture (I) containing (A) fatty acid-modified polymerizable unsaturated monomer and (B) other polymerizable unsaturated monomer which is copolymerizable with the monomer (A) in an aqueous medium in such a manner that the dispersed particles have an average particle diameter not more than 500 nm, and polymerizing the resulting emulsified product. The invention also provides aqueous resin compositions which comprise the aqueous resin dispersions, and water-based paint compositions which comprise the aqueous resin compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acrylic polymer emulsion containing a polymer formed by polymerizing 100% by weight in total of a monodic mixture comprising 50 to 90% by weight of an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate, 9 to 49% by weight of a vinyl monomer of which homopolymer having a glass transition temperature Tg is not lower than 80° C., 0.2 to 10% by weight of a vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group and 0.1 to 5% by weight of a crosslinkable monomer having a molecular weight of not less than 280. The acrylic polymer emulasion of present invention provides gloves for home uses, works, examination operations, medical uses and the like which are superior in practical performances such as tensile strength, elongation, alcohol resistance, detergent resistance, oil resistance, recovering property after a stretch and wearing touch.

Abstract: An aqueous binder dispersion that includes at least one copolymer (P) containing carboxylic acid and/or carboxylate groups. The copolymer (P) includes structural units of carboxyl-free (meth)acrylic esters with a cycloaliphatic structure, and at least 25 mol % of the carboxylic acid groups of the copolymer (P) in the dispersion being present in triethanolamine-neutralized form. The aqueous binder can be used in aqueous coating materials, which can be used to coat a substrate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer particles which are formed by contacting monomers with aqueous dispersions comprising monodisperse swellable seed polymers/oligomers, and initiating polymerization in the presence of a steric stabilizer. The resulting swollen seed particles are characterized by the particle mode diameter.

Abstract: Reactive polymeric surfactants are disclosed, and their use in processes for preparation of microcapsules, and in stabilising emulsions. The surfactants are random graft polymers or block copolymers which contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic units and in which the hydrophobic unit includes a hydrophilic cross-linking unit which reacts with (a) a wall forming ingredient in a microencapsulation process, or (b) an ingredient in the disperse phase of an emulsion.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous emulsions comprising a water-dispersible copolymer which is non-dispersible in aqueous solutions containing 0.5% or more of an inorganic salt, comprising acidic ethylenically unsaturated monomers and ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The acidic ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are defined herein. The present invention also pertains to emulsion polymerization methods for making the aqueous emulsions with or without a surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric additive systems and processes for preparing polymeric additive systems which contain a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the weight fraction of the solid component is more than 50%. The present invention also provides polymeric compositions and processes for preparing polymeric compositions that include a polymeric component and a polymeric additive system which contains a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the weight fraction of the solid component is more than 50%. The disclosed compositions and processes are useful in the preparation of polymeric materials and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple polymeric additive systems and processes for preparing multiple polymeric additive systems which contain a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the solid component contains two or more polymeric additive particles having different compositions. The present invention also provides polymeric compositions and processes for preparing polymeric compositions that include a polymeric component and a multiple polymeric additive system which contains a liquid component and a solid component, wherein the solid component contains two or more polymeric additive particles having different compositions. The disclosed compositions and processes are useful in the preparation of polymeric materials and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: A latex for dip forming which comprises a copolymer prepared by polymerizing 10 to 90% by weight of a conjugated diene monomer, 0.1 to 20% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer and 10 to 89.9% by weight of other ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomers copolymerizable therewith, wherein the sum of the amount of acid groups bonded to or adsorbed on the surface of the copolymer constituting the latex and the amount of acid groups present in the aqueous phase of the copolymer latex is in the range of 0.1 to 2 meq. in terms of hydrochloric acid, per gram of the copolymer. This latex is dip-formed to give a dip-formed article having no fear of development of a protein allergy, and exhibiting a soft feeling and a high mechanical strength.

Abstract: The invention provides low-emission adhesives based on an aqueous, protective-colloid-free polymer dispersion or water-redispersible dispersion powders, obtainable therefrom, of vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers, obtainable by free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization, in aqueous medium and in the presence of one or more emulsifiers, of a comonomer mixture comprising a) from 5 to 50% by weight of ethylene, b) from 20 to 80% by weight of at least one vinyl ester from the group of vinyl esters of unbranched or branched carboxylic acids having 1 to 9 carbon atoms whose homopolymers have a glass transition temperature Tg >0° C., c) from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one vinyl ester from the group of vinyl esters of branched carboxylic acids having 8 to 13 carbon atoms whose homopolymers have a glass transition temperature Tg <0° C., d) from 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pressure sensitive adhesives based on aqueous latex emulsions processes for their preparation and laminates prepared there from. The pressure sensitive adhesives exhibit excellent adhesion in hot water environments and resistance to water-whitening.

Abstract: A latex which forms a film by evaporation at a temperature of less than 40° C. is based on hydrophobic polymer particles having a core/shell structure. The particles consist of 70 to 90% by weight of at least one polymer with a soft character having a glass transition temperature of less than 20° C. forming the core, and 10 to 30% by weight of at least one polymer with a hard character having a glass transition temperature of greater than 50° C. forming the shell. When applied to any surface and after drying at low temperature, the latex, without the use of any coalescents or volatile organic compounds, provides a continuous film which is homogeneous, has no surface tack and has good mechanical integrity.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce an aqueous composition. The process comprises shearing a mixture to produce a mini-emulsion and polymerizing said mini-emulsion in the presence of an initiator to produce the aqueous composition; wherein said mixture comprises at least one tackifier, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one surfactant, and water. The aqueous composition can be utilized to produced various articles including, but not limited to, adhesives, coatings, and laminates.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous emulsions comprising a water-dispersible copolymer which is non-dispersible in aqueous solutions containing 0.5% or more of an inorganic salt, comprising acidic ethylenically unsaturated monomers and ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The acidic ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are defined herein. The present invention also pertains to emulsion polymerization methods for making the aqueous emulsions with or without a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides mixed aromatic vinyl-1,3-diene polymers stabilized by a protective colloid and present in the form of aqueous polymer dispersions or polymer powders redispersible in water as adhesives for porous substrates. The polymer dispersions and the polymer powders are obtained by emulsion polymerization of a mixture containing: a) 20 to 80 percent by weight of one or more vinylaromatics; b) 19.9 to 79.9 percent by weight of one or more 1,3-dienes; c) 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of one or more comonomers from the group consisting of N-methylolacrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide and the N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamides and N-(alkoxymethyl)-methacrylamides with a C1 to C6-alkyl radical. The sum of the above percentages adds up to 100% by weight. Emulsion polymerization is carried out in the presence of one or more protective colloids and without emulsifiers, optionally followed by drying of the resulting aqueous polymer dispersion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymers stabilized with protective colloids in the form of water-redispersible powders or aqueous dispersions thereof having a reduced content of volatile components, by a) polymerizing by emulsion or suspension polymerization, one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters, (meth)acrylates, vinyl aromatics, olefins, 1,3-dienes and vinyl halides and optionally further monomers copolymerizable therewith, b) aftertreating the polymer dispersion thus obtained by means of postpolymerization, distillation, and/or introduction of steam or inert gas to obtain a residual content of volatile, nonaqueous components of <2000 ppm, and c) spray drying of aftertreated polymer dispersion to a residual content of volatile, nonaqueous components of <400 ppm, the dispersion being adjusted prior to spray drying to a solids content of <45% by weight before spraying, the spray drying performed with gas at an inlet temperature of >120° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing adhesives having improved adhesion, in the form of their aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible dispersion powders, by emulsion polymerization in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol with or without drying of the dispersion obtainable by this process, which comprises polymerizing a comonomer mixture comprising a) one or more monomers from the group consisting of the vinyl esters of unbranched and branched carboxylic acids of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, the esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid with branched and unbranched alcohols of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, vinylaromatic compounds, vinyl halides and alpha-olefins, and b) from 0.01 to 50% by weight, based on the overall weight of the comonomers, of a vinyl ester of alpha-branched tertiary monocarboxylic acids of 11 carbon atoms, in the presence of c) from 0.1 to 15% by weight, based on the overall weight of the comonomers, of polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: What is described is a polymeric hydrogel product of a stable, aqueous polymeric composition which composition forms a clear to translucent film upon application to a substrate, and includes, by weight, 5-75% of (a) a water-soluble polymer having (b) in situ-formed, substantially water-insoluble resinous particles of said polymer substantially uniformly dispersed therein, and (c) 25-95% of water, made by irradiating the composition with high energy electron beam or gamma-radiation.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing from 1 to 60% by weight of a polymer A) built up from a) from 10 to 50% by weight of a vinylaromatic having up to 20 carbon atoms, b) from 45 to 75% by weight of a nonaromatic hydrocarbon having two conjugated double bonds, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a water-soluble monomer having a water solubility of at least 100 g per liter of water under standard conditions (21° C. and 1 bar), the water-soluble monomer containing no acid group or acid anhydride group, d) from 0.1 to 4.5% by weight of a monomer containing at least one acid group or acid anhydride group, e) from 0 to 30% by weight of a monomer other than a) to d), and from 40 to 99% by weight of a filler B), the weight data for A) and B) being based on the sum of A) and B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to pressure sensitive adhesives based on aqueous latex emulsions processes for their preparation and laminates the prepared there from. The pressure sensitive adhesives exhibit excellent adhesion in hot water environments and resistance to water-whitening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pressure sensitive adhesives based on aqueous latex emulsions processes for their preparation and laminates the prepared there from. The pressure sensitive adhesives exhibit excellent adhesion in hot water environments and resistance to water-whitening.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesives can be formed using gamma irradiation. One embodiment is a pressure sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric reaction product formed by gamma ray irradiation of an emulsion composition. The emulsion composition includes water; (meth)acrylate monomer material; polar, free-radically polymerizable material that is copolymerizable with the (meth)acrylate monomer material; and at least one emulsifier.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion of copolymers formed by the polymerization of a monomer mixture containing 0.05% to less than 4.5% by weight of certain terminally unsaturated oligomers are useful for improving the scrub resistance, corrosion resistance, opacifying capacity and/or efflorescence resistance of a coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing protective-colloid-stabilized vinyl ester or vinyl ester-ethylene polymers in the form of their aqueous dispersions by emulsion polymerization in the presence of one or more protective colloids, which comprises carrying out the polymerization in the presence of a hydrophobic but silane-free protective colloid based on (meth)acrylate polymers with from 80 to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the copolymer, of acrylic or methacrylic esters of aliphatic alcohols having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and from 5 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the copolymer, of ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids, and with a glass transition temperature Tg of the copolymer of from 60 to 120° C., and with a Fikentscher K value of the copolymer of from 20 to 50.

Abstract: Aqueous laminating construction adhesive compositions incorporating a one-part adhesive copolymer, the copolymer being a vinyl ester/acrylic copolymer containing from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight based on copolymer weight, of a copolymerized polar monomer, the copolymer having a Tg from about 10° C. to about −35 C. are provided which exhibit a good balance of high temperature and ambient temperature adhesion performance in a one-part adhesive composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water based laminating adhesive composition and a method of using thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-based laminating adhesive comprising: a first component comprising at least one aqueous vinyl polymer dispersion (A) comprising the reaction product of i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; ii) at least one free radical initiator; and iii) optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated oligomer; and b) a second component comprising at least one water dispersible polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent (B). The adhesive optionally comprises at least one aqueous polyurethane polymer dispersion (C). Improved bonded properties of dry laminated flexible film substrates such as polyolefin, polyester and polyamide, as well as cellophane, metals or paper are obtained.

Abstract: Readily filterable and deodorizable aqueous dispersions of pressure-sensitive adhesive, especially for self-adhesive labels, having solids contents of more than 65%, can be prepared with readily reproducible properties by copolymerizing esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid in the presence of less than 50 ppm of inhibitor and, preferably, in the presence of from 0.01 to 5% by weight of reducing agent by a special emulsion technique. The highly concentrated pressure-sensitive adhesive dispersion, subsequently deodorized with steam, is free from coagulum and seediness.

Abstract: A shelf-stable water-borne dispersion or solution that cures rapidly and at low temperatures when coated onto a substrate can be prepared with an aqueous-based solution or stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer having a backbone containing pendant silanol groups which are sufficiently neutralized to inhibit silanol condensation.

Abstract: A copolymer latex with a total solids content of at least 67% by weight, which is characterized by having a viscosity of 2,000 centipoises or less as measured with a BM viscometer under the conditions of total solids content of 67% by weight and at room temperature, is provided. Such a low viscosity and high solids-content copolymer latex is produced through an emulsion polymerization in which the method of use of the emulsifier and the amount thereof are controlled following specific conditions.

Abstract: Flexographic or other printed paper is deinked by a process which comprises pulping in the presence of an emulsion of crosslinked, insoluble, ionisable and swellable polymer particles. The emulsion preferably provides a viscosity (at 3%) in the ionised state of below 50,000 cps (Brookfiled RVT) and is novel.

Abstract: Improved aqueous emulsion vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) polymer adhesives for use in packaging applications and on difficult to bond surfaces such as polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and oriented polypropylene. The VAE polymers contain about 55-80 wt % vinyl acetate, 15-45 wt % ethylene, and 0-30 wt % of one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of monomers. Cast films of the VAE emulsion polymers of this invention should have a tensile storage modulus (test frequency of 6.28 rad/sec) within the area encompassed by the following data points: 1.times.10.sup.5 and 2.times.10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 23.degree. C., and 1.times.10.sup.3 and 2.times.10.sup.6 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 70.degree. C.; preferably within the area encompassed by the following data points: 1.times.10.sup.6 and 1.5.times.10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 23.degree. C., and 3.times.10.sup.4 and 9.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2 at 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion having a solids content of at least about 65 percent by weight comprises about 5 to 40 percent by weight ethylene; about 60 to 95 percent by weight vinyl acetate; greater than about 3.0 percent by weight of a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of from about 100 to 500; about 1 to about 4 percent by weight of an ethyoxylated aliphatic surfactant having an HLB of from about 16.5 to 18.0; and about 0.2 to about 1.0 weight percent of a dispersant.

Abstract: Aqueous polymer emulsions are obtained by polymerizing a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers by the free radical aqueous emulsion polymerization method and using, as the dispersing medium, a mixture of water and an organic solvent which is not completely soluble in water, the amount of solvent accounting for more than 20% by weight of the total amount of monomers to be polymerized.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous polymer dispersion in which the copolymer is formed from70 to 90% by weight alkyl methacrylate provided by 0 to 30% by weight C.sub.1-3 alkyl methacrylate and 50 to 90% by weight C.sub.4-12 alkyl methacrylate;5 to 20% by weight styrene or alkyl styrene;2 to 10% by weight water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer;0.5 to 4% polyethylenically unsaturated monomer; and0 to 4% carbonyl containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The dispersion of the invention is particularly suitable for incorporation into compositions for coating on wood.