Abstract: An .alpha.-cyanoacrylate adhesive composition having high thixotropy, excellent stability with age including difficulty of separation and excellent adhesiveness, for use of rubbers, plastics, metals or so, comprises (b) 10 through 20 parts by weight of polymers containing alkyl methacrylate having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 through 300,000, (c) 2 through 20 parts by weight of ultrafine anhydrous silica, and (d) 0.001 through 20 parts by weight of quick curing additives represented by the formula (1), (b)-(d) being on the basis of (a) 100 parts by weight of .alpha.-cyanoacrylates: ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl group; X.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, methyl group or cyano group; X.sub.3 is R.sub.2 or R.sub.2 CO in which R.sub.2 represents a hydrocarbon residue containing no anionically polymerizable group; and l, m and n are integers and (l+m).gtoreq.1 and n.gtoreq.1.

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: Disclosed is a process for producing a self-dispersing and salt-sensitive polymer by polymerizing the following monomers (A), (B) and (C) in a total concentration of 25 % by weight or above:(A) 35 to 65 % by weight of acrylic acid,(B) 10 to 45 % by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [I]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.1)COOR.sup.2 [I]wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and(C) 20 to 45% by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [II]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.3)COOR.sup.4 [II]wherein R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.4 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms in a mixed solvent comprising 50 to 90% by weight of an organic solvent having a solubility parameter of 10 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.

Abstract: A method of producing an acrylic emulsion adhesive characterized in that a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a monomeric mixture of alkyl (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone, 0.5-2 parts by weight of a surfactant mixture of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, and 0.03 to 0.5 part by weight of a polymerization initiator is subjected to emulsion polymerization reaction. The acrylic emulsion adhesive of this invention is rich in solids, features good adhesion and cohesion as well as high water resistance. Therefore, by coating one side of a transparent support, this adhesive can be used as an adhesive sheet for surface protection.

Abstract: A splicing tape adhesive comprising 97% to 45% by weight of an emulsion polymer formed of from about 80% to 90% by weight of monomers comprising a major portion of at least alkyl acrylate containing from 4 to about 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 20% to 10% by weight of a least one carboxylic acid, said emulsion polymer formed in the presence of anionic and nonionic surfactants to provide a polymer having a glass transition temperature of -15.degree. to -50.degree. C. in the presence of a chain transfer agent, from about 25% by weight of an acrylic polymer having a glass transition of less than -50.degree. C. and about 3% to about 20% by weight plasticizer.

Abstract: A particulate vinyl polymer is provided. At least 95 wt. % of its particles have a minor axis A and a major axis B, which are in a relationship of 1.ltoreq.B/A.ltoreq.1.5 and individually range from 30 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m. The polymer has an acid value of from 30 to 150 mgKOH/g. This particulate vinyl polymer is excellent in work-ability such as the solubility in aqueous medium, and is useful as a raw material for water-base coating compositions having superb dispersion of a pigment and excellent waterproofness.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions comprised of a major amount of water and a minor amount of a polymerizable compound based on N-acryloyl-piperazine are provided. Such compounds have the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl,B is a linking group selected from the group consisting of carbonyl, sulfonyl, amide, and carboxyl;n is one or zero;R.sup.4 is a radical selected from the group consisting of a higher aliphatic group (i.e. at least four carbon atoms, preferably from about 6 to about 50 carbon atoms), a substituted higher aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a non-benzenoid aromatic group, and a substituted aromatic group. These compounds can be used as an emulsifier in emulsion polymerization.

Abstract: A splicing tape adhesive comprising 97% to 45% by weight of an emulsion polymer formed of from about 80% to 90% by weight of monomers comprising a major portion of at least alkyl acrylate containing from 4 to about 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 20% to 10% by weight of a least one carboxylic acid, said emulsion polymer formed in the presence of anionic and nonionic surfactants to provide a polymer having a glass transition temperature of -15.degree. to -50.degree. C. in the presence of a chain transfer agent, from about 25% by weight of an acrylic polymer having a glass transition of less than -50.degree. C. and about 3% to about 20% by weight plasticizer.

Abstract: Aqueous selfcrosslinkable resin composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of at least one polyurethane polymer having anionic salt groups as sole chain-pendant functional group and at least one vinyl polymer having chain-pendant acetoacetoxyalkyl ester groups. A selfcrosslinking reaction between the polyurethane polymer and the vinyl polymer will take place during and/or after film formation, resulting in the formation of a polymeric film having properties not found to be those of the non-functional polymer components.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing predominantly one or more acrylate and/or vinyl acetate monomers in the presence of a latex results in high solids dispersions of polymer particles with lower viscosities than traditionally observed. A significant wt. % of added monomers can be present in large particles, having nonspherical shapes. Some of the original latex particles are retained during the polymerization and these increase the solids content and lower the viscosity by packing in the interstices between large particles. The total polymer solids content can easily be varied from 70 to 92 or more wt. % which are higher than achieved in any previously reported aqueous polymerizations. The viscosities at very high solids contents become paste-like but the materials still are stable to storage and further handling without breaking the dispersion into an agglomerated polymer portion and released water. The dispersions are useful to form sealants, membranes, etc., either with or without other additives.

Abstract: The present Application relates to a polymer dispersion comprising an aqueous continuous phase and dispersed particles, which consist of a polymerized, water-soluble, urethane-modified allyl ether polyester and polymerized monomers, wherein at least two polymerized monomers A and B together with a water-soluble urethane-modified allyl ether polyester constitute the dispersion particle and are produced according to the core-shell model (multiphase).

Abstract: A specific class of water-borne, water redispersible laminating adhesives is disclosed which is desirable for bonding nonwoven substrates to themselves or to other substrates. The adhesives provide improved bond strength and improved water redispersibility when compared to laminating adhesives currently used for the same purpose. Furthermore, the novel adhesives are much less sensitive to the presence of significant levels of plasticizer than are laminating adhesives currently used, which exhibit reduced water redispersibility when such plasticizers are present in significant amounts. The novel laminating adhesives contain an aqueous styrene/acrylic polymer dispersion prepared by radical-initiated emulsion polymerization of unsaturated monomers in the presence of starch degradation products having a weight average molecular weight range of from about 2500 to 25000 and which are obtainable by hydrolysis in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Freeze-thaw stable latex binders and latex paint compositions are prepared without the use of volatile freeze-thaw additives. The latex binder contains a polymer which is the emulsion polymerization product of a polymerizable polyethylene glycol (PPEG) monomer, wherein the molecular weight of the ethylene oxide moiety in the PPEG monomer is from about 175 to 1,100, at least one acrylic monomer and, optionally, one or more styrenic, ionic or wet adhesion monomers. Methods for preparing the freeze-thaw stable latex compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides inherently tacky, polymeric, organic, solvent-insoluble, solvent dispersible, elastomeric, pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres having pendant hydrophilic polymeric or oligomeric moieties having a degree of polymerization greater than or equal to 2. The microspheres which are sterically stabilized can offer enhanced stability against coagulation caused by alkali, alkali salts, polyelectrolytes and repeated freeze/thaw cycles. The present invention also provides pressure-sensitive adhesives comprising these microspheres including aerosol spray PSAs, coated sheet materials prepared therefrom, and method of making the microspheres.

Abstract: Hair fixative carboxylated polymers are stabilized in an aqueous emulsion by neutralization with a cosmetically acceptable organic or inorganic base, require no organic solvent, no propellant when dispensed in non-aerosol containers, and minimal organic propellant when dispensed in aerosol containers.

Abstract: A photopolymerized acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive having excellent heat-resistance, an adhesive sheet using the adhesive, and methods for producing the adhesive and the adhesive sheet, are disclosed. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet having excellent heat resistance comprising a photopolymerization product of a composition comprising;a) 100 parts by weight of monomers comprising from 70 to 100% by weight of a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and from 30 to 0% by weight of a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester,b) from 0.02 to 20 parts by weight of a radical chain inhibitor,c) up to 5 parts by weight of a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate as a crosslinking agent, andd) from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a photopolymerization initiator.

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: Hot melt polymer/fatty acid compositions are described that render fibrous products such as paper, paperboard and corrugated paper containers water-resistant at room temperature, but enable such articles to be repulped and recycled when the coated articles are repulped in a heated nearly neutral to alkaline pH aqueous medium.

Abstract: Self-reversible, stable, water-in-oil dispersions, miscible with water, constituted by an oil phase, an aqueous phase and at least two emulsifying agents of which at least one is of water-in-oil type, and at least one is of oil-in-water type, which contain 20 to 50% by weight of a mixture constituted by a hydrosoluble anionic polymer belonging to the group of carboxymethylcelluloses (C), and by a cross-linked, synthetic anionic polymer, insoluble in water but water-swellable (P), based on acrylic acid (AA), partially salified with an alkali metal (M), optionally copolymerized with 2-acrylamido 2-methyl propanesulphonate of the alkali metal M (AMPSM), cross-linked with a diethylenic carboxylic acid and in which the molar ratio of the salified acid functions to the total number of free or salified acid functions is comprised between about 0.6 and about 0.9, the ratio by weight C/P+C being comprised between 0.01 and 0.4, preparation process and use for obtaining a printing paste.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for preparing a latex having a high solids content which comprises the steps of (1) terpolymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer, an alkyl propenoic acid ester, and an alkyl propenoic acid monomer in an aqueous polymerization medium by free radical polymerization in a first polymerization step to produce a seed polymer latex; (2) neutralizing the seed polymer latex to a pH of about 7 to about 10 by the addition of an alkali to produce a neutralized seed polymer latex; (3) adding additional vinyl aromatic monomer and alkyl propenoic acid ester to the neutralized seed polymer latex and allowing the additional vinyl aromatic monomer and the additional alkyl propenoic acid ester to polymerize in a second polymerization step to a solids content of at least about 40% to produce the latex having the high solids content; wherein about 20 percent to about 40 percent of the total amount of monomers polymerized in the first polymerization step and the second polymerization step are polymer

Abstract: An adhesive for soft tissue comprising at least one member selected from (meth)acrylic esters each containing an acid anhydride group represented by the specific formula (I) and derivatives of the (meth)acrylic esters represented by the specific formula (Ia), a (meth)acylate, a poly(meth)acrylate derived from a (meth)acrylate and a polymerization initiator; and a kit of an adhesive for soft tissue, comprising containers and, placed therein, the above ingredients.

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: Improved flame retardant polymer latices are disclosed which comprise copolymers of ring-halogenated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, and which may additionally include at least one other monomer. In a first embodiment, the latices include ring-brominated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate monomer units. In a second embodiment, the latices include these first two types of monomer units and further include third monomer units from unsaturated esters of saturated carboxylic acids, halogen-free aromatic monomers or unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomers. In a third embodiment, the latices include four monomer units, namely ring-brominated aromatic monomer units, alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, halogen-free aromatic monomer units and unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomer units.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous emulsion copolymers of (meth)acrylates of long-chain alcohols in continuous aqueous phase, characterized in that they contain as storable disperse phase copolymers of the following monomer components:at least 50% by weight and preferably at least 60% by weight (meth)acrylates of C.sub.16-30 alcohols0 to 25% by weight and preferably 5 to 10% by weight (meth)acrylates of alcohols containing no more than 8 carbon atoms0.5 to 40% by weight and preferably 1 to 25% by weight olefinically unsaturated mono- and/or dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides containing more than 10 carbon atoms.The invention also relates to the use of these aqueous emulsion copolymers for depressing the pour or flow points of hydrocarbon mixtures, particularly crude oil or petroleum fractions, the described copolymers forming the disperse phase of aqueous emulsion copolymers in a highly concentrated, but readily mobile formulation for incorporation in hydrocarbon mixtures of the described type.

Abstract: Provided is a process useful for making acrylic polymers of methacrylic acid having improved shear stability. The process provides polymers useful as enteric coatings for medicaments having improved coating efficiency of pharmaceutical forms. Also provided are medicaments in solid form coated with said polymers.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion containing a copolymer comprisinga) 60-95% by weight of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 -alkyl (meth)acrylateb) 5-40% by weight of methyl acrylatec) 0-30% by weight of methyl methacrylated) 0-30% by weight of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 -vinylaromatic compounde) 0-10% by weight of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylatef) 0-5% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 -carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acidg) 0-20% by weight of further ethylenically unsaturated compounds,vinyl acetate and chlorine-containing compounds being excluded, is used as an adhesive.

Abstract: Provided is a process useful for preparing acrylic polymers of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate. The process provides polymers useful as enteric coatings for medicaments in solid form, said coatings having improved effectiveness, reproducibility and coating efficiency. Also provided are medicaments in solid form coated with such polymers.

Abstract: Process for lowering the residual monomer content in aqueous plastic dispersions based on polyvinyl esters.Preparation of vinyl ester polymers or vinyl ester copolymers containing aqueous plastic dispersions having reduced contents of undesired residual vinyl ester monomers, caused by the preparation, and, optionally, acetaldehyde from corresponding starting dispersions, such as are obtainable from ethylenically unsaturated monomers by conventional polymerization or copolymerization methods, by selective alkaline saponification of the residual vinyl ester monomers saponifiable under alkaline conditions in the dispersions and preferably simultaneous removal of the acetaldehyde and unsaponified residual vinyl ester monomers from the aqueous dispersions by distillation.

Abstract: Aqueous polymer dispersions containing polymers obtainable by free-radical polymerization of unsaturated monomers, and sugared starch, and the use thereof.

Abstract: A base neutralized, stable, aqueous dispersion of a hydroxyl functional acrylic polymer containing less than 1 percent acid, having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 4500 and having an acid value of at least about 1.5 and no greater than about 10; is prepared from a vinyl monomer component containing at least about 50 percent 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and at least one other comonomer. The proportion of each monomer is selected so that the resultant polymer forms stable dispersion in water without externally added surfactant. The hydroxyl functional acrylic polymer is especially advantageous in the formulation of waterborne coating compositions which are capable of crosslinking with aminoplast and polyisocyanate curing agents to form a cured film. Furthermore, the hydroxyl functional acrylic polymer is useful as a surfactant in the preparation of dispersion polymers by dispersion polymerization.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of microfoam in a spray-applied clear waterborne polymeric composition is provided, wherein the clear composition contains certain emulsion-polymerized addition polymers or certain multi-staged emulsion-polymerized addition polymers is formed; is spray-applied to a substrate; and is dried. Also provided are substrates bearing such spray-applied clear compositions.

Abstract: To arrive at an economical method of producing water-expanded polymer resin moldings, it is proposed that a monomer component and a cross-linker on an acrylate basis and/or a PMMA prepolymer be used as resin-forming components of a curable mixture.

Abstract: There is provided inherently tacky, emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers comprising about 35 to about 65 percent by weight alkyl acrylates, about 15 to about 35 percent vinyl esters, about 20 to about 35 percent by weight diesters of a dicarboxylic acid, and up to about 5 percent by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid. There is preferably included in the monomers a reactive surfactant and a chelating monomer, with or without a chain transfer agent. The preferred polymers have a glass transition temperature less than about -30.degree. C. and a gel content of about 50 to 70 percent by weight.

Abstract: To arrive at an economical method of producing water-expanded polymer resin moldings, it is proposed that a monomer component and a cross-linker on an acrylate basis and/or a PMMA prepolymer be used as resin-forming components of a curable mixture, with the weight ratio of the water component to the resin-forming component being at least 1:1.

Abstract: Wet adhesion, ICI viscosity, and scrub resistance of a paint are improved by incorporating into the paint a binder that comprises a film former and polymeric composition. The polymeric composition comprises either (a) about 15 to about 35 weight percent of substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer, about 30 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer whose homopolymer is water-soluble, and about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a wet adhesion promoting monomer, or (b) about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer and about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the wet adhesion promoting monomer. The polymeric composition and film former are substantially inseparable by chromatographic means.

Abstract: Electrophoretic media based on polymers with novel structures are disclosed. The polymers are formed by polymerization of acrylamide monomers, such as N-methylolacrylamide, with cross-linking agents or comonomer agents such as tetraethylene diacrylate and bisacrylamide methylether.

Abstract: Wet adhesion, ICI viscosity, and scrub resistance of a paint are improved by incorporating into the paint a binder that comprises a film former and polymeric composition. The polymeric composition comprises either (a) about 15 to about 35 weight percent of substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer, about 30 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer whose homopolymer is water-soluble, and about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a wet adhesion promoting monomer, or (b) about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer and about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the wet adhesion promoting monomer. The polymeric composition and film former are substantially inseparable by chromatographic means.

Abstract: An aqueous, air-dry, emulsion protective coating composition, pigmented or unpigmented, and exhibiting excellent chalk adhesion without the need for external adhesion promoters, where the protective coating composition contains a film forming polymeric binder comprising emulsion copolymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers including minor amounts of a fatty acid methacrylate or acrylate.

Abstract: A coating composition for providing (especially temporary protective) coatings on surfaces (especially the hydrophobic paintwork of newly finished motor vehicles) which comprises particulate copolymer dispersed in water containing less than 10 wt % of volatile organic solvent. The particulate copolymer comprises 7 to 14 wt % acrylic or methacrylic acid, 0.1 to 10 wt % hydrophilic monomer (e.g. methacrylamide) and other monomers. The coatings are transparent, abrasion resistant, tenacious yet easily removable to produce environmentally acceptable effluent.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a process for producing a neutralized latex that is useful in the manufacture of water reducible coatings which involves:(1) free radical aqueous emulsion polymerizing at a pH of less than about 3.5, a monomer mixture which comprises based on 100 weight percent monomers: (a) from about 45 to about 85 weight percent vinyl aromatic monomers, (b) from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer, and (c) from about 1 to about 6 weight percent of at least one unsaturated carbonyl compound; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.0 phm at least one phosphate ester surfactant; in the presence of about 0.5 to 4.

Abstract: A latex system can be made from a combination of acids in a base monomer wherein methylenesuccinic acid is used with at least one other monocarboxylic acid.The latex system provides a high pH latex that can be used to treat fiber substrates or alternatively can be blended with other latexes to form coatings.

Abstract: A coating of hydrophobic polymer is prepared by contacting a substrate with an aqueous media containing amphiphilic polymer and polymerizing polymerizable component to provide the hydrophobic polymer coating. The processes can be used to make stable dispersions of particles, such as pigments, for paint compositions.

Abstract: There is provided inherently tacky, emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers comprising about 35 to about 65 percent by weight alkyl acrylates, about 15 to about 35 percent vinyl esters, about 20 to about 35 percent by weight diesters of a dicarboxylic acid, and up to about 5 percent by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid. There is preferably included in the monomers a reactive surfactant and a chelating monomer, with or without a chain transfer agent. The preferred polymers have a glass transition temperature less than about -30.degree. C. and a gel content of about 50 to 70 percent by weight.

Abstract: Wet adhesion, ICI viscosity, and scrub resistance of a paint are improved by incorporating into the paint a binder that comprises a film former and polymeric composition. The polymeric composition comprises either (a) about 15 to about 35 weight percent of substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer, about 30 to about 70 weight percent of a copolymerizable monomer whose homopolymer is water-soluble, and about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a wet adhesion promoting monomer, or (b) about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the substantially non-self-polymerizable monomer and about 35 to about 65 weight percent of the wet adhesion promoting monomer. The polymeric composition and film former are substantially inseparable by chromatographic means.

Abstract: Hydrophilic, powdered superabsorbents which are insoluble in water, containing by weight, in the dry state, in combination, from 1 to 45% of colloidal silica with an average diameter of non-agglomerated particles of about 9 to about 50 nanometers and 99 to 55% of a cross-linked polymer based on free acrylic acid, partially or totally salified by a sodium or potassium, preparation process and use notably for the absorption of aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A water soluble, substantially linear, polymer is made by copolymerization of a water soluble blend of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising carboxylic acid monomers such as acrylic acid and a hydroxylic monomer of the formula CHR.sup.1 .dbd.CR.sup.2 --Y--M.sub.a --H where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or carboxy, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, carboxy or methyl, Y is O, CH.sub.2 O or COO, M is alkyleneoxy and a is at least 5. This polymer can be cross linked, generally after being shaped by extrusion or other shaping of an aqueous solution of the polymer, to form cross linkages between the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The shaped elements can have water absorbency and can be in the form of, for instance, fibers or films.

Abstract: A novel latex is derived from a crosslinked carboxylate latex containing from 1-20 phr of itaconic acid (IA) and at least 70 phr of one or more copolymerizable monomers one of which is an acrylate having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl;R.sub.2 represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 alkylthioalkyl, or C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 cyanoalkyl; andat least 40 phr of said acrylate in said film is present as an alkyl acrylate in which alkyl is C.sub.4 -C.sub.8. The latex can only be formed in an aqueous medium by an emulsion polymerization process in which at least one-half of the IA is initially charged into a reactor, and the remaining ingredients of the receipe then added gradually. This unique order of addition produces a highly stable latex of polymer particles having a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) in the range from about -20.degree. C. to about -60.degree. C.

Abstract: Functionalized polymeric compositions are prepared by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer in a solvent including a reactive compound. The functional groups of the reactive compound and the functional monomer react during or subsequent to the polymerization of the functional monomer to provide functionalized polymeric composition. The reactive compound can be a hydroxy-terminated, poly(ethleneoxy)ated hydrophobe-bearing compound and the functional monomer can be a polymerizable carboxylated monomer, the functionalization in this case being a condensation. Removal of the water of condensation by azeotropic distillation drives the reaction to completion. The resulting high solids functionalized polymeric composition is soluble or dispersible in an appropriate solvent, and can be used as is, diluted with a solvent, or isolated.

Abstract: A shade enhancing agent comprises an aqueous resin emulsion composition obtained by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a cationic surfactant or a cationic protective colloid, polymerizing a monomer and adding a cationic protective colloid or polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a cationic or nonionic emulsifying dispersant so as to have a cationic group in the molecule, a dry film of said composition having a glass transition point (Tg) in the range between 20.degree. C. and 110.degree. C. and a refractive index of 1.50 or less, said emulsion composition having a zeta potential in the range between +5 and +80 mV at an ion strength of 10.sup.-3 and a pH value of 7.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of styrene/acrylic type polymers which are useful in the sizing of paper. The process comprises polymerizing the monomers in an alcohol/water mixture at reflux temperature in the presence of a free-radical generating catalyst. The catalyst is added portion-wise over the course of the reaction and the resultant polymer is neutralized while substantially simultaneously separating the alcohol/water mixture and adding water to recover a product of less than 25% polymer solids.