Abstract: A process for making clusters of individual polymer beads bonded together to minimize attritition in use or processing but characterized by an open structure for fast absorption of aqueous solutions comprises suspending a monomer mixture in a continuous phase at high shear agitation such that fine droplets of monomer are formed in an inert organic phase. A suspending agent which prevents the clusters from coalescing is provided. A first polyethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer, having substantial solubility in the aqueous phase, and an organic phase soluble initiator system are provided such that polymerization at the surface of the polymer particles occurs to form the porous clusters of the invention, A second substantially oil soluble crosslinker is optionally provided to further crosslink the clusters such that they do not coalesce.

Abstract: The process of the present invention for producing polymer particles with an irregular shape by polymerizing a water-soluble polymerizable monomer in a system comprising a hydrophobic organic solvent inert to the polymerization and an aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymerizable monomer is characterized in that the system a glycoside compound having such a structure that the hydrogen atom of the hemiacetal bond in the compound has been substituted for a hydrophobic group, or a gluconamide compound as a dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention provides new non-spherical microparticles. The microparticles are a hemisphere or a half elliptic sphere having a big opening at the central portion, say bowl-shape microparticles, and a water uptake of from 80 to 140 ml/100 g, which can be produced by suspension polymerization of polymerizable monomers in the presence of crosslinking agents and hydrophobic liquids in water. The microparticle of the present invention has an excellent extending ability, adhesiveness and water uptake. The new bowl-shape microparticles having the big opening at the center can be easily produced according to the present invention, and the size and shape can be easily controlled.

Abstract: Cyclopentanes alkyl-substituted with one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyls are used as chain transfer agents in (co)polymerization reactions carried out, either in suspension or in aqueous emulsion, at low temperatures, comprised between -30.degree. and +30.degree. C., for preparing thermoplastic hydrogen-containing fluoropolymers , such as for instance ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, or homopolymers and copolymers of vinylidenefluoride. They are transfer agents having high efficiency, which are liquid and thus can be easily handled and dosed, non-toxic, yielding alkyl end groups of high thermal stability.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particles of at least 1.0 micrometer which comprises forming at atmospheric conditions droplets of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer the monomer being liquid at standard conditions of 0.degree. C. and one atmosphere pressure, together with from about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the monomer, of a nonreactive compound in an aqueous medium, the nonreactive compound having a solubility in water less than that of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the aqueous medium containing a surfactant or organic hydrophilic colloid, the monomer droplets being formed by using only sufficient energy to achieve a size of 1.0 micrometer or larger, and polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particles by forming a suspension of ethylenically unsaturated monomer droplets in water, the water containing a particulate suspension agent, the monomer droplets containing a nonreactive hydrophobic compound where the water solubility of the nonreactive compound is less than that of the monomer and polymerizing the monomer droplets.

Abstract: Branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, having from 6 to 25 carbon atoms and a ratio between the number of methyl groups and the number of carbon atoms higher than 0.5, are used in radical (co)polymerization processes of fluorinated olefinic monomers, optionally in association with non-fluorinated olefins, both in suspension and in aqueous emulsion. Such hydrocarbons are characterized, in the usual reaction conditions, by a chain transfer effect practically absent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a free-flowing redispersible powder composed of a vinyl-pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer containing 15-40% by weight of vinylpyrrolidone units wherein the mixture of the monomers is copolymerized in organic solution, the resulting solution is, after addition of a surfactant, subjected to replacement of the solvent by water, and the resulting dispersion is spray- or freeze-dried, and the use of the redispersible powder for producing paints and coating compositions, glues and adhesives and, in particular, the matrix and/or coating of solid slow-release pharma-ceutical forms and of hair-spray formulations are described.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising a crosslinkable copolymer, wherein the copolymer is the free radical polymerization product of a mixture of monomers in the presence of a terminally unsaturated oligomeric chain transfer catalyst. Such compositions have advantageous properties when used in a variety of products including high performance coatings.

Abstract: A method of preparing macromonomer compositions of a limited average molecular weight containing an olefinic polymerizable end group. The macromonomers may suitably comprise the polymerization product of methacrylate, methacrylonitrile, and methacrylamide monomers, derivatives thereof, and mixtures of such monomers.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, water-dilatable cyclodextrin polymerizate has a high cyclodextrin content which possesses good mechanical properties. The cyclodextrin pearl polymerizates are produced by radical, inversion suspension polymerization of cyclodextrin derivatives carrying methacrylate groups or their copolymerization with suitable comonomers such as hydroxyethylacrylate or hydroxymethylacrylate. Suitable cyclodextrin derivatives can be produced by reacting cyclodextrins or hydroxyalkyl cyclodextrins with methacrylic anhydride or with glycidyl methacrylate. The cyclodextrin polymerizates produced in this manner have mechanical properties appreciably superior to those of known, comparable cyclodextrin polymers.

Abstract: An emulsion polymerization method for a brominated styrene is provided in which upon emulsion polymerizing a brominated styrene, an organic solvent which dissolves the brominated styrene and is sparingly soluble in water is added in an amount of 1 to 500 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the brominated styrene. According to this method, brominated polystyrenes can be produced which have acceptable hues and excellent physical properties and smell no offensive odor during the step of molding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for production of a water-soluble cationic polymer comprising polymerizing a cationic vinyl monomer; either a cationic acrylate monomer alone or a mixture of said monomer and another monomer copolymerizable therewith, in dispersion medium in the presence of a surfactant by suspension polymerization method. The present invention offers an industrially advantageous method to obtain the water-soluble cationic polymer with a high degree of cationization and a high viscosity in water solution which can be used for flocculants, antistatic agents, retention aids for paper manufacturing and other purposes.

Abstract: The processes for producing highly water absorptive resins of the present invention comprise the following steps: (A) suspending an aqueous solution of partially neutralized alkali metal acrylate and optionally partially neutralized acrylamido alkane sulfonate in a hydrocarbon solvent containing a surfactant having a HLB value of 3.apprxeq.6 or 8.apprxeq.

Abstract: Laminar structures of PVF and substantially amorphous resin such as PEKK, backfilled with injection molding resin, exhibit an excellent combination of physical and aesthetic properties.

Abstract: (Co)polymer particulates soluble in their corresponding (co)monomer composition, e.g., particulates of acrylic, methacrylic or styrene polymers, are produced by finely dispersing an aqueous phase including at least one polymerization initiator in an organic phase which comprises such (co)monomer composition and at least one nonsolvent for such (co)polymer which is miscible with such (co)monomer composition, and suspended emulsion polymerizing such mixed-phase polymerization recipe.

Abstract: A improved method of free radical polymerization in an aqueous system, such as an emulsion or suspension process. The polymerization is conducted in the presence of a relatively low molecular weight macromonomer such as can be made with a metal chelate chain transfer catalyst. This method is useful for reducing the molecular weight of a variety of polymers and copolymers, including acrylic and olefinic polymers.

Abstract: Finely divided, water-soluble polymers are prepared by polymerization of water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in not less than 20% strength by weight aqueous solution in the presence of a polymerization initiator in a kneader by a process in which from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total monomers, of a surfactant are used in the polymerization, the polymerization initially being carried out to a conversion of the monomers of not less than 60% in the absence of the surfactant or in the presence of not more than 50% of the amount of surfactant, and the remaining amount of surfactant then being added to the reaction mixture and the polymerization completed. The addition of surfactant causes the polymer gel to disintegrate with formation of fine particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a polymer predominating in terminal unsaturation by cationically polymerising a 1-olefin in the liquid phase at a temperature from -100.degree. to +100.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising tin tetrachloride and a co-catalyst which is a source of cations and which is substantially free of organometallic compounds. The process is particularly suited to producing polybutenes having high vinylidene content which have high reactivity, especially towards forming maleic anhydride adducts.

Abstract: The polymerization and copolymerization of photographically useful vinyl monomers can be effected by dissolving such monomers in an isotropic oil-in-water microemulsion or in an isotropic water-in-oil microemulsion, each comprising monomers or comonomers, surfactants and/or cosurfactants, water, and optionally electrolytes. The microemulsion may be characterized as transparent or nearly transparent to the eye at 1% (w/w) or greater monomer, ultrafine in particle (droplet) size (typically in the range of 30 to 900 .ANG. in diameter), and spontaneously formed upon combining all the components with moderate stirring. The polymerization process is subsequently initiated with free radical initiators or with ultraviolet light. The components are chosen so that photographically useful polymers or photographically useful latexes are obtained, and said polymers or latexes may be coated in a photographic element.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous and water-absorbent resin which includes dispersing an aqueous solution containing at least one .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, its alkali metal salt or its ammonium salt in a hydrophobic organic solvent, and conducting a reversed phase suspension polymerization by using a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator, while distilling away the hydrophobic organic solvent together with water. A porous and water-absorbent resin having excellent absorbency and a remarkably improved rate of water absorption can be easily and efficiently obtained on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A process for producing a highly water absorptive polymer by polymerizing a water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a water-in-oil type of dispersion consisting of the dispersion phase of an aqueous monomer solution comprising the water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, water, a water-soluble polymerization initiator and an optional water-soluble crosslinking agent and the continuous phase of an organic solvent containing a dispersant, characterized in that the aqueous monomer solution is added to the organic solvent at such a temperature as to form an oil-in-water type of dispersion, and the oil-in-water type of dispersion is then heated at least to a phase reversal temperature at which it is transformed into the water-in-oil type of dispersion.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising anionic and/or amphoteric organic polymeric microparticles are disclosed, along with a method for their production. The products are useful in flocculating a wide variety of dispersions of suspended solids and in paper-making.

Abstract: Finely divided, gel-like, water-swellable copolymers are prepared by copolymerizing(a) 100 parts by weight of water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers,(b) from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of monomers containing two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds and(c) from 0 to 20 parts by weight of water-insoluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomersin 20-80% strength by weight aqueous solution in the presence of a polymerization initiator and from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the monomers used in the copolymerization, of a surfactant, by a process in which the monomers are copolymerized in the presence of initially from 0 to 50% by weight of the amount of surfactant to a conversion of not less than 60%, the remaining amount of surfactant is then added to the reaction mixture and the copolymerization is completed and the resulting gel particles dried.

Abstract: A polymer composite, a method of making a polymer composite and a polymer composite membrane. The polymer composite comprises a uniform dispersion of hydrophobic polymeric particles in a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The new method of forming a polymer composite includes the formation of a concentrated emulsion of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer and heating the concentrated emulsion at a predetermined temperature. The polymer composites of this invention may be useful as permselective membranes.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers containing N-9-xanthenylacrylamide and N-dibenzosuberenylacrylamide.

Abstract: An improved cationic water-soluble polymer is prepared from acrylamide, a cationic monomer such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate dimethylsulfate quaternary, and a waste stream which is produced as a result of the transesterification reaction between dialkylamino alcohols and acrylates which is used to prepare the cationic monomer. The polymers are especially useful in dewatering applications.

Abstract: There are disclosed metallized polymer particles comprising a crosslinked polymer with an insoluble content of at least 0.5% by weight. The crosslinked polymer bears nucleophilic groups capable of complexing at least one salt of a metal with an oxidation-reduction potential higher than -0.8 V. The crosslinked polymer particles have on their surface a metallic layer comprising at least one metal having an oxidation-reduction potential higher than -0.8 V and being in the zero valency state. Also disclosed are a process for obtaining such metallized particles via a chemical route, and a method of using these metallized particles in the manufacture of electrically conductive materials, including electrically conductive adhesives and paints.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a microemulsion system comprising a first phase including a low-polarity fluid material which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, and which has a cloud-point density. It also includes a second phase including a polar fluid, typically water, a monomer, preferably a monomer soluble in the polar fluid, and a microemulsion promoter for facilitating the formation of micelles including the monomer in the system. In the subject process, micelles including the monomer are formed in the first phase. A polymerization initiator is introduced into the micelles in the microemulsion system. The monomer is then polymerized in the micelles, preferably in the core of the micelle, to produce a polymeric material having a relatively high molecular weight.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process comprises bringing together(a) a monomeric material such as an acrylic monomer in a relatively low polarity medium(b) a free radical source or initiator such as a metallic salt initiator or activator normally soluble only in high polarity media such as water and(c) a calixarene derivative of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein m+n=4, 6 or 8 n=an integer greater than or equal to 1/2 (m+n)wherein m+n=4,6 or 8n=an integer greater than or equal to 1/2 (m+n)R=hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyloxy, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl, aryloxy, hydrocarbylaryloxy, substituted aryl, substituted hydrocarbylaryl, substituted aryloxy, or substituted hydrocarbylaryloxy;R'=H, hydrocarbyl, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl, substituted hydrocarbyl, substituted aryl, or substituted hydrocarbylaryl;R"=H, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain nonionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical cobination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: In a process for producing a highly water-absorbent resin comprising subjecting a mixture of (meth)acrylic acid with a water-soluble salt thereof as a monomer to reversed phase suspension polymerization in a hydrophobic solvent in the presence of a dispersing agent, improvements that at least a portion of said monomer is fed sequentially with the progress of polymerization reaction and at least a portion of said dispersing agent is fed sequentially with the progress of polymerization. The resulting resin is useful as a highly water-soluble resin component of sanitary products, or as a humectant/desiccant, a rheology modifier and so on.

Abstract: A suspending agent useful in a water-in-oil suspension polymerization process comprises a fumed silica particulate having a hydrophobic character and a hydrophobic polymer. The suspending agent is useful in providing uniformly sized aqueous fluid absorbent polymer beads.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and an OH-containing hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain nonionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical combination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: High molecular weight DADMAC polymers are produced by polymerizing an inverse latex of DADMAC with 0.5 to 3 weight percent acrylamide. The polymerization uses a low HLB emulsifier and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: A suspending agent useful in a water-in-oil suspension polymerization process comprises a fumed silica particulate having a hydrophobic character and a hydrophobic polymer. The suspending agent is useful in providing uniformly sized aqueous fluid absorbent polymer beads.

Abstract: Improved acrylic acid absorbency resins are made utilizing a chain transfer agent during the polymerization process.

Abstract: A water-absorbent resin usable as a suitable water absorbent in sanitary materials and other fields can be produced by subjecting an aqueous solution of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid and of an alkali metal salt thereof to polymerization with a radical polymerization initiator in a petroleum-based hydrocarbon solvent in the presence or absence of a crosslinking agent and, in this polymerization, using a saccharose-fatty acid ester as a protective colloid agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel-forming polymer compositions which can be used as absorbents in absorbent structures and absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. Such hydrogel-forming polymer compositions are substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized polymers which are prepared from unsaturated polymerizable, acid group-containing monomers and cross-linking agents. These hydrogel-forming polymer materials, upon imbibing fluids, form hydrogels. Such polymer materials have relatively high gel volume and relatively high gel strength as measured by shear modulus of the hydrogel which forms therefrom. Such polymer materials also contain relatively low levels of extractable polymer material which can be extracted therefrom by contact with synthetic urine.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of preparing vinyl chloride polymers or vinyl chloride copolymers suitable for the preparation of plastisols. The method can be used at polymerizations, wherein a pre-emulsion of a substance having a very low solubility in water, is caused to swell by the vinyl chloride monomer, whereafter the monomer emulsion obtained is subjected to polymerizing conditions. According to the invention the emulsion is stabilized, and, by polymerizing in the presence of an stabilizing latex, it is possible to avoid, that the obtained latex becomes instable. In this way it is possible to prepare polymers having a particle size and a particle size distribution giving a product with low viscosity at the preparation of plastisols.

Abstract: The use of a cyclic compound containing a ##STR1## group, i.e., methone, has been found to allow a poor acrylamide or acrylic acid or 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and its salts monomer to be polymerized to a polymer having improved performance characteristics and/or improved rates of polymerization. Optionally, urea is added with the methone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for improved incorporation of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) into an acrylamide polymer. This invention makes use of a copolymerizable promoter monomer. Also provided by the present invention are inverse emulsion terpolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride. The improved incorporation resides in the use of a promoter monomer that is more reactive with acrylamide than is the DADMAC monomer and is selected from ##STR1## wherein R is --H or CH.sub.3 ;X is --O--, or --NH--;n has a value of 2-4; andA is an ion selected from the group consisting of Cl.sup. -, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.4.sup.-, HSO.sub.4.sup.- and NO.sub.3.sup.-.Specific monomers within this formula included, for example, 2-methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium chloride and 2-acryloylethyltrimethylammonium chloride.Typical of such promoter monomers are 2-methacryloylethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and 2-acryloylethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: Process for copolymerization of vinylpyrrolidone and maleic anhydride in the presence of organic solvent, catalyst and between about 0.1 and 1.0 weight % water.

Abstract: The use of a cyclic compound containing a ##STR1## group, i.e., methone, has been found to allow a poor acrylamide or acrylic acid or 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and its salts monomer to be polymerized to a polymer having improved performance characteristics and/or improved rates of polymerization. Optionally, urea is added with the methone.

Abstract: A stable aqueous suspension containing an organic azo compound as polymerization initiator in fine particles, containing substantially no organic solvent and containing no foam which damages dispersing stability of the aqueous suspension and retards polymerization rate can be formed by dissolving an organic azo compound in an organic solvent, emulsifying the resulting solution by adding water and a dispersing agent A and a dispersing agent B thereto with stirring, and removing the organic solvent from the emulsified liquid preferably under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Hard, infusible, discrete beads of crosslinked copolymer are prepared by free-radical catalyzed polymerization of a monomer mixture in aqueous dispersion wherein a minor amount of a modifier, specifically an organic compound containing acetylenic or allylic unsaturation having the ability to moderate the rate of polymerization, is incorporated in the monomer mixture. Ion exchange resins having improved mechanical strength are obtained by attaching functional groups to the copolymer.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids containing at least one activated carbon to carbon olefinic double bond and at least one carboxyl group in mineral spirits in the presence of a free radical forming catalyst and at least two surface active agents having HLB values of less than 10, a sorbitan ester with a glycerol or alkylene glycol ester and a long chain alcohol, to provide fluid, high total-solid dispersions of polymer in mineral spirits.

Abstract: Strong cationic polyelectrolytes in powder form based on acrylamide and quaternized or salified dimethylaminoethyl acrylate; and the use thereof for flocculation of solid material suspensions and coalescence of emulsions.Such polyelectrolytes contain in molar proportions more than 50% of cationic units uniformly distributed along the copolymer chains. They are used for flocculating colloidal suspensions and/or coalescing emulsions, especially, in sewage water purification installations.

Abstract: Hard, infusible, discrete beads of crosslinked copolymer are prepared by free-radical catalyzed polymerization of a monomer mixture in aqueous dispersion wherein a minor amount of a modifier, specifically an organic compound containing acetylenic or allylic unsaturation having the ability to moderate the rate of polymerization, is incorporated in the monomer mixture. Ion exchange resins having improved mechanical strength are obtained by attaching functional groups to the copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel-forming polymer compositions which can be used as absorbents in absorbent structures and absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. Such hydrogel-forming polymer compositions are substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized polymers which are prepared from unsaturated polymerizable, acid group-containing monomers and cross-linking agents. These hydrogel-forming polymer materials, upon imbibing fluids, form hydrogels. Such polymer materials have relatively high gel volume and relatively high gel strength as measured by shear modulus of the hydrogen which forms therefrom. Such polymer materials also contain relatively low levels of extractable polymer material which can be extracted therefrom by contact with synthetic urine.