Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous dispersion of composite particles comprising an aqueous medium including water and the composite particles dispersed in the aqueous medium. The composite particle has a particle (A) and a polymer layer (B) with which at least a part of a surface of the particle (A) is encapsulated. The particle (A) is at least any one particle of an inorganic solid particle, or a silica-encapsulated particle having a core particle and a silica layer with which at least a part of the surface of the core particle is encapsulated. The zeta potential of the composite particles in the aqueous dispersion of composite particles at 60° C. is ?70 mV to ?160 mV at any pH in the range from 7 to 11.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer latex that includes polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers and one or more conjugated diene monomers in the presence of a hydroperoxide chain transfer agent and sulfur-containing chain transfer agent, wherein the sulfur-containing chain transfer agent is added after the hydroperoxide chain transfer agent. It further relates to the polymer latex thus obtained, to a composition comprising the polymer latex and to the use of the polymer latex or polymer latex composition in a carpet backing, paper coating, or fiber fabric pre-impregnation process.

Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.

Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer latex that includes comprising polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers and one or more conjugated diene monomers in the presence of a hydroperoxide chain transfer agent and sulfur-containing chain transfer agent, wherein the sulfur-containing chain transfer agent is added after the hydroperoxide chain transfer agent. It further relates to the polymer latex thus obtained, to a composition comprising the polymer latex and to the use of the polymer latex or polymer latex composition in a carpet backing, paper coating, or fiber fabric pre-impregnation process.

Abstract: An emulsion polymerization is carried out using one or more polymerizable unsaturated monomers X having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in a molecule, one or more reactive emulsifiers Y having at least one polymerizable group in a molecule, and one or more polyfunctional monomers Z1 having two or more polymerizable unsaturated groups in a molecule and having a molecular weight per functional group of less than 150, or one or more hydrophilic monomers Z2 having one polymerizable unsaturated group and a hydrophilic group in a molecule and having an average molecular weight of less than 250, with a proportion of the total mass of the polyfunctional monomer Z1 or hydrophilic monomer Z2 to the total mass of the reactive emulsifier Y being in the range of Z1/Y=1/3 to 1/30 or Z2/Y=1/1 to 1/30.

Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.

Abstract: Described is an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a chain growth addition polymer obtainable by free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable monomers, wherein the polymerization of the monomers is effected in the presence of a certain molecular weight regulator composition. The molecular weight regulator composition comprises at least one mercaptoalkylcarboxylic ester of a C2- to C4-carboxylic acid and at least one oligomeric compound of the formula R1—X-(A-S—)n-A-Y—R2, where R1 and R2 are each H or CH3—(CH2)0-2—C(?O)—, X and Y are each an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, A is a divalent C1- to C18-alkylene group and n is from 1 to 8. Also described is a process for preparing the aqueous polymer dispersion. The polymer dispersion is useful as a binder, an adhesive, a sizing agent for fibers, in the manufacture of coatings or in the manufacture of paper coating slips.

Abstract: A stimulus-responsive polymer particulate composition, comprising a first monomer, such as an aqueous microgel derived, for example, from N-isopropylacrylamide, may be rendered less susceptible to aggregation at high shear (e.g. at least as high as 106 s?1) by incorporating into the structure of the particle (e.g. by copolymerisation) of a further monomer, which is not a stimulus-responsive polymer-forming monomer. The further monomer may be incorporated in an amount of up to 25 mol % based on the amount of the first monomer. Such modified polymer particles are suitable for inkjet printing applications (e.g. for printing of aqueous microgels onto low-energy surface substrates).

Abstract: An aqueous composition that includes (A) a butadiene polymer latex that is prepared by an emulsion polymerization in the presence of a styrene sulfonate stabilizer and (B) a phenolic resin. A preferred aqueous butadiene polymer latex is one that is prepared by emulsion polymerization of at least 60 weight percent dichlorobutadiene monomer (based on the amount of total monomers used to form the butadiene polymer), in the presence of a styrene sulfonate stabilizer.

Abstract: The invention provides a latex composition having a natural latex, a synthetic latex, a filler, and certain additives. A latex composition of the invention applied to a substrate allows the finished substrate to have improved wash durability. Fabrics and products comprising the latex composition are also provided. In particular, a rug manufactured from fabrics that have been coated with the latex composition may undergo at least 100 wash cycles without sustaining any significant structural deterioration, deterioration in softness and contact absorption, and/or substantial impairment to the functionality of the applied latex composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fibrous substrate made of chemically bonded fibers, where the fibers are bound with a polymeric binder in an amount which is sufficient to bind the fibers together to form a self-sustaining web, and where the binder is characterized as having a wet tensile strength of greater than 4500 grams per inch (g/in) when measured at a 20 percent add-on on Whatman #4 CHR chromatography paper which is drum dried for 90 seconds at 210 to 215° F. and cured for 2 minutes at 300 to 325° F. Preferably the level of free formaldehyde in the fibrous substrate is less than 15 ppm. The emulsion binders of the invention may be used to bind fibers together in a substrate; may be used to bind pigment, colors or other substances to a substrate; may be used as a backing material; or may be used to finish or surface-treat a substrate.

Abstract: A copolymer latex for chipping-resistant aqueous paint capable of remarkably improving balance of chipping-resistance, strength of adherence with metal, water-resistance and high resistance for cycles of cool and heat is provided. This is achieved by a method for producing a copolymer latex using for chipping-resistant aqueous paint, the method comprising emulsion-polymerizing 20 to 80 parts by weight of a conjugated diene as a monomer, 0.5 to 15 parts by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid as a monomer, 5 to 40 parts by weight of an aromatic vinyl compound as a monomer, 5 to 40 parts by weight of an unsaturated alkyl carboxylate as a monomer and optionally not more than 69.

Abstract: A method has been disclosed of preparing ultrafine hydrophobic latex particles of polymers and copolymers by free radical emulsion polymerization in a water-based system, making use therefor, in order to polymerize or copolymerize monomers or monomer mixtures respectively, of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dimers and cobalt complexes, acting as a chain transfer agent (CTA), wherein said latex particles have an average particle size of less than 100 nm, being more than 10% lower than if prepared in the absence of said CTA, characterized in that said polymerization is conducted in a water-based reaction in the presence of a chain transfer agent and of a surfactant, wherein said surfactant is present in a concentration versus said monomer or monomer mixture of from 5 up to 25% by weight for a non-ionic surfactant or from 0.05 up to 10% by weight for an ionic surfactant, more particularly a surfactant in a concentration below twice its critical micelle concentration.

Abstract: A process for preparing hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives from aqueous dispersions based on polyacrylate, and pressure-sensitively adhesive articles produced therefrom, which comprises producing highly concentrated aqueous dispersions with polymer contents between 68% by weight and 87% by weight of gel-free, molecularly-dispersely meltable polymer particles with an at least bimodal size distribution in size ranges between 0.5 ?m and 1000 ?m Ø.

Abstract: Ammonia-free polymer dispersions containing at least one copolymer which contains, as polymerized monomers, a) from 40 to 80% by weight of at least one ester of acrylic acid with C2-C12-alkanols, b) from 10 to 40% by weight of at least one vinylaromatic monomer and/or at least one ester of methacrylic acid with C1-C4-alkanols, c) from 2 to 15% by weight of at least one monoester of a C2-C10-alkanediol with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, d) not more than 1% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which have at least one acid group, or salts thereof, e) less than 5% by weight of &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated nitrites and f) less than 1% by weight of amides of &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids, and the polymer powders or polymer granules obtainable from the polymer dispersion, are used as additives for building materials based on hydraulic binders.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersed polymeric composition for preparing a carpet backing is provided. The aqueous dispersed polymeric composition comprises an aqueous dispersed polymeric material and a hydrophobically-modified ethylene-oxide-based urethane block copolymer. In the preferred embodiment, the aqueous dispersed polymeric material is an aqueous polyurethane dispersion composition. Moreover, a method for preparing a carpet backing using the aqueous dispersed polymeric composition is provided.

Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of chemically bonded non-cellulose fibers having improved wet tensile properties. The fabric includes a random arrangement of non-cellulose fibers and an essentially formaldehyde free latex binder. The latex binder contains at least about 6.7 wt. % vinyl cyanide monomer to bond the non-cellulose fibers and form a nonwoven fabric having at least a 10% improvement in wet tensile strength over a comparable nonwoven fabric having a latex binder essentially free of formaldehyde and free of vinyl cyanide monomer in the monomeric mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers whitened with optical brighteners obtained by (a) emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrile with or without a comonomer in the presence or absence of a graftable substrate, and (b) addition of an optical brightener before, during, or after the emulsion polymerization.

Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A rubber latex with its particles grown through cohesion by adding 100 weight parts of (B) a rubber latex (solid), 0.1-15 weight parts (solid) of (A) an acid group-containing latex having an average particle size of 50-500 nm prepared by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising (a), (b), (c) and (d) [wherein (a)+(b)+(c)+(d)=100 weight %]: (a) 5-25 weight % of at least one of unsaturated acids selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid and crotonic acid, (b) 20-95 weight % of at least one of alkyl methacrylates with its alkyl group 1-12 in carbon number, (c) 0-30 weight % of at least one of alkyl acrylates with its alkyl group 1-12 in carbon number, (d) 0-40 weight % of at least one selected from the group consisting of aromatic vinyls, compounds having at least two polymerizable functional groups in a molecule and vinyl cyanides, copolymerizable with the aforementioned (a), (b) and (c) is provided.

Abstract: A two-component thermosetting coating composition is disclosed wherein the binder components comprise: (a) an amino component comprising an aqueous solution and/or dispersion of at least one polyacrylate containing amino groups in a quantity sufficient to make said polyacrylate soluble and/or dispersible in water; and (b) a polyisocyanate component containing free isocyanate groups. Also disclosed is the method of emulsifying component (b) into component (a).

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: It has been determined that rubbery terpolymers of a conjugated diolefin monomer, a vinyl aromatic monomer, and N-(isobutoxymethyl) acrylamide (IBMA) can be used to modify asphalt cement to greatly enhance the resistance to shoving, rutting, and low temperature cracking of asphalt concretes made therewith. These rubbery polymers have a Mooney viscosity which is within the range of about 35 to about 80. It has further been determined that these rubbery terpolymers are compatible with virtually all types of asphalt. It is particularly preferred for the rubbery polymers of this invention to also contain repeat units which are derived from hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA).

Abstract: Binders for papercoating slips which permit uniform printability contain a polymer prepared by the seed procedure and comprisingfrom 1 to 49% by weight of a polymer seed A) having a glass transition temperature of from -80.degree. to +25.degree. C. and based on esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, andfrom 51 to 99% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers B), from 10 to 100% by weight of which monomers are butadiene,the polymer seed A being added before or during the polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aqueous polymer emulsion, in which an aqueous emulsion of a polymer which contains at least one chemically bonded monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group is produced in a manner known per se so that the total content of free monomers having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond, ie. monomers of this type which are not chemically bonded, in the aqueous polymer emulsion is from >0 to .ltoreq.1% by weight, based on the polymer content of the aqueous polymer emulsion, and this residual monomer content is then reduced by the action of a free radical redox initiator system comprising at least one oxidizing agent and at least one reducing agent, wherein the redox initiator system comprises, as the reducing agent, one which is present, in aqueous solution, in at least two tautomeric forms in equilibrium with one another (for example aminoiminomethanesulfinic acid and/or the salts thereof).

Abstract: An saturated nitrile-conjugated diene copolymer obtained by copolymerizing acrylonitrile with butadiene in the presence of a free radical initiator and an alkylthiol compound as a molecular weight modifier. A part of the monomers is incorporated in a monomer charge before polymerization, and the remainder thereof is added in a polymerization mixture during polymerization. The alkylthiol compound has 12 to 16 carbon atoms, which include at least three tertiary carbon atoms, and further has a sulfur atom directly bound to at least one of the tertiary carbon atoms. The copolymer has a Mooney viscosity of 15 to 450 and a bound nitrile content of 10 to 60% by weight. The breadth (.DELTA.AN) of compositional distribution of the unsaturated nitrile in the copolymer is 3 to 20. The copolymer is used in combination with a sulfur-containing vulcanizer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a water-in-oil type polymer emulsion which comprises polymerizing an acrylamide-containing monomer in a water-in-oil type emulsion. The acrylamide is prepared by hydrating acrylonitrile in the presence of a catalytic amount of nitrilehydratase.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of polymers which have a high glass transition temperature and a low average molecular weight and contain a specific amount of methacrylic acid as polymerized units are suitable, in liquid or dried form, as additives for improving the flow behavior of cement-containing mineral building materials having binding properties.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a copolymer latex having a gel content of 10-98% by weight, involving emulsion polymerizing:(a) 20-65% by weight of a conjugated diene compound;(b) 0.1-10% by weight of a combination of an ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid with an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid; and(c) 33-79.5% by weight of at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound other than the components (a) and (b),in the presence of (d) 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an .alpha.-methylstyrene dimer, per 100 parts by weight of a total of components (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of low viscous, water soluble polymer dispersions on an aqueous basis with a high concentration of the active substance, containing a polymerizate A) synthesized from the monomeric components, hydrophobic monomers and optionally amphiphilic monomers, which exhibit an average molecular weight M.sub.w of at least 5.times.10.sup.5 Dalton and contain at least one polymeric dispersing agent D), where in a first step an aqueous dispersion PD) is prepared from the polymerizate A) and at least one polymeric dispersing agent D); in a second step an aqueous, highly concentrated dispersion PD') is prepared from the aqueous dispersion PD) by extracting the water; and in a third step an aqueous dispersion PD") with a high content of the active substance is prepared through the addition of an aqueous dispersion of at least one polymeric dispersing agent D) to the concentrated dispersion PD'), and where the second and third process step can be repeated in succession.

Abstract: A low formaldehyde high gel fraction latex binder is made utilizing a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R', independently, is an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.4 is hydrogen, or wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, independently is an alkyl, an aromatic, or combinations thereof having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or wherein said R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are connected to form an internal amide, and wherein the isopropenyl group is either in the ortho, meta or para position. The latex binder is generally an emulsion or latex copolymer made from various monomers including at least one or more conjugated dienes having a total of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms with butadiene being preferred and from one or more vinyl-substituted aromatics having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, with styrene being preferred. The amount of the above formulation compounds is generally from about 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition of a block copolymer dispersed in water wherein the block copolymer is composed of: a) at least one first block of polymerized units of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agent wherein the latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agent has the general formula; ##STR1## wherein A is a polyvalent organic radical; x and y are positive integers such that x+y equals the valence of A; B is an organic acyl radical; and n and m are integers from 1 to 6; and b) at least one second block of polymerized units of at feast one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein said at least one second block is attached to said at least one first block by reacting with terminal thiol functional groups contained on said at least one first block.

Abstract: A mixture which is suitable as a defoamer, especially for ABS latices, comprising (A) a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 alcohol, (B) a mineral oil, (C) an ester from a thiodicarboxylic acid with 4 to 8 carbon atoms and a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 alcohol and (D) a non-ionic emulsifier and a process for removing residual monomers from ABS latices using these defoaming mixtures.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing a copolymer, comprising emulsion polymerizing (a) a 2-80% by weight of a conjugated diene compound, (b) 0.1-10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and (c) 10-97.9% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated compound other than the components (a) and (b) in the presence of (d) and .alpha.-methylstyrene dimer, wherein in the first stage, 10-50% by weight of the total amount of the components (a), (b) and (c) are added and polymerized at 70.degree.-80.degree. C. for 2-6 hours after the addition of the monomer, and after said first stage, 50-90% by weight of the total amount of the components (a), (b) and (c) are continuously fed and polymerized in a second stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a latex of hydrogenated elastomeric polymer comprising:(1) combining an unsaturated polymer in latex form with(a) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and hydroperoxide;(b) a reducing agent selected from hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and(c) a metal ion activator;(2) heating the mixture to a temperature from 0.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture;(3) treating the mixture with ozone in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient for the ozone to react with residual polymer unsaturation to form an ozonated latex of elastomeric polymer having at least one terminal aldehyde end group;(4) treating the ozonated latex with hydroxylamine in an amount and under conditions which are sufficient to convert aldehyde end groups of the elastomeric polymer to oxime end groups to form a oximated polymer latex.

Abstract: A low formaldehyde, high gel fraction latex binder is made utilizing a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R', independently, is an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.4 is hydrogen, or wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, independently is an alkyl, an aromatic, or combinations thereof having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or wherein said R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are connected to form an internal amide, and wherein the isopropenyl group is either in the ortho, meta or para position. The latex binder is generally an emulsion or latex copolymer made from various monomers including at least one or more conjugated dienes having a total of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms with butadiene being preferred and from one or more vinyl-substituted aromatics having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, with styrene being preferred. The amount of the above formulation compounds is generally from about 0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of an unsaturated, nitrile-group-containing polymer with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. An aqueous emulsion of the unsaturated, nitrile-group-containing polymer is used. Optionally, an organic solvent capable of dissolving or swelling the polymer is caused to exist at a volume ratio of the aqueous emulsion to the organic solvent in a range of from 1:3 to 1:0. A palladium compound is used as the hydrogenation catalyst. The aqueous emulsion is brought into contact with gaseous or dissolved hydrogen while maintaining an emulsified state.

Abstract: A colored paste composed of a silicone ladder polymer, a solvent, and an organic pigment insoluble in said solvent, said silicone ladder polymer being a polymer having an average molecular weight of 1.0.times.10.sup.3 to 3.5.times.10.sup.5. The colored paste has good storage stability and readily forms a uniform film by spin coating.

Abstract: A nitrile group-containing rubber latex comprising an aqueous dispersion of a nitrile group-containing highly saturated rubber having an iodine value of not more than 120. The said rubber latex can be produced by converting a solution of a nitrile group-containing highly saturated polymer rubber having an iodine value of not more than 120 in an inert solvent into an oil-in-water emulsion using water and an emulsifier, and removing the solvent from the resulting emulsion.

Abstract: A composition which is an aqueous solution including (i) an alkyltrialkoxysilane with C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl groups on silicon; (ii) a silane coupling agent, (iii) an amino resin, and (iv) a quaternary ammonium silane. The composition is used to render surfaces water repellent.

Abstract: A polymeric emulsion comprising a (i) polymer, (ii) water, and (iii) a surfactant is useful as a binder for a water-based varnish that is resistant to water, 50% ethanol, and alkali. The polymer comprises about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a soft non-functional monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C., about 60 to about 80 weight percent of a hard non-functional monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C., about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an olefinic carboxylic acid, and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer. The hard monomer component of the polymer comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of alkenyl aromatic monomers, non-functional methacrylic monomers, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the polymer comprises less than about 1 weight percent surfactant and has a calculated T.sub.g of about 25.degree. to about 60.degree. C., an actual T.sub.g of about 30.degree. to about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A polymeric emulsion comprising a (i) polymer, (ii) water, and (iii) a surfactant is useful as a binder for a water-based varnish that is resistant to water, 50% ethanol, and alkali. The polymer comprises about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a soft monomer whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of less than about -20.degree. C. and about 60 to about 80 weight percent of a mixture of hard monomers each of whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g of greater than about 30.degree. C. As part of the hard monomer comonent of the polymer, the polymer comprises about 5 to about 25 weight percent acrylonitrile and about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an olefinic carboxylic acid. Typically, the polymer comprises less than about 1 weight percent surfactant and has a calculated T.sub.g of about 25.degree. to about 60.degree. C., an actual T.sub.g of about 30.degree. to about 70.degree. C., and an average particle size of less than about 250 nm.

Abstract: A method for molding ceramic powders comprises forming a slurry mixture including ceramic powder, a dispersant, and a monomer solution. The monomer solution includes at least one monofunctional monomer and at least one difunctional monomer, a free-radical initiator, and a aqueous solvent. The slurry mixture is transferred to a mold, and the mold containing the slurry mixture is heated to polymerize and crosslink the monomer and form a firm polymer-solvent gel matrix. The solid product may be removed from the mold and heated to first remove the solvent and subsequently remove the polymer, whereafter the product may be sintered.

Abstract: A styrene-butadiene composition containing about 0.1 to 10 weight % of a monoester of maleic acid or fumaric acid provides improved bonding strength. In addition, small amounts of a functional monomer can also be included.

Abstract: A polymeric latex prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomeric mixture comprising styrene and butadiene in the presence of a seed polymer prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of styrene and a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.