Abstract: A resin for photoresist compositions is disclosed with excellent resolution and line edge roughness characteristics. A photoresist composition and a method for forming a resist pattern using such a resin are also disclosed. The resin has a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom at a polymer terminal, and the carbon atom in the ?-position to the hydroxyl group has at least one electron attractive group.

Abstract: A hyperbranched polymer having pendent olefinic groups and comprising polymer units derived from one or more terminally-unsaturated, acyclic aliphatic diene and polymer units derived from maleic anhydride. Optionally, the hyperbranched polymer may further comprise polymer units derived from one or more 1-alkenes and/or a chain transfer agent. A process to prepare the hyperbranched polymer comprises contacting maleic anhydride with at least one terminally unsaturated acyclic aliphatic diene having at least 7 carbon atoms in the presence of an effective amount of a radical initiator in an aprotic solvent under dilute conditions.

Abstract: Stain resistant composition comprises a hyperbranched polymer having pendent olefinic groups and comprising polymer units derived from one or more terminally-unsaturated, acyclic aliphatic diene and polymer units derived from maleic anhydride. Optionally, the hyperbranched polymer may further comprise polymer units derived from one or more 1-alkenes and/or a chain transfer agent. A method to provide stain resistance to a substrate comprises applying the stain resistant composition to said substrate. Suitable substrates include textiles and hard surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to radiation curable and jettable ink compositions and particularly to such compositions which exhibit enhanced elongation, when cured at low doses, and are advantageously used, for example, in digital inkjet printing. The compositions include a polyfunctional component and a monofunctional monomer, and may optionally include an additional monofuctional component and/or chain transfer agent. The compositions have a viscosity at 25° C. of not greater than about 70 cP and are radiation curable to form a cured ink having an elongation of between about 40 and about 150%. In addition, the compositions, when cured at low dose, exhibit a tack free surface and a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel non-linear vinyl polymers comprised of a multifunctional peroxide, and a cross-linking agent and/or a chain transfer agent, and methods of making such polymers having: at least 0.03 branches/1000 backbone carbons; linear portions with a molecular weight (Mw) of 350,000 or less; 0.2 to 3.0 branches/molecule; or, a Mz/Mw of from 1.7 to 5.7. Methods of quantifying branching are disclosed using a linear reference having 0.0 to 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons along with SEC techniques and measurements of molecular weight, molecular size, and concentration. Also discovered is a vinyl polymer resin comprised of from 0.1 to 50 weight percent of non-linear polymers having at least 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons, where branching is measured using a heat polymerized polystyrene having from 0.0 to 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons as a linear reference.

Abstract: A method of preparing a (meth)acrylate functionalized polymer comprising the steps of mixing together a monofunctional vinylic monomer with from 0.3-100% w/w (based on monofunctional monomer) of a polyfunctional vinylic monomer and from 0.0001-50% w/w of a chain transfer agent, reacting said mixture to form a polymer and terminating the polymerization reaction before 99% conversion. The resulting polymers are useful as components of surface coatings and inks, as moulding resins or in curable compounds, e.g. curable moulding resins or photoresists.

Abstract: A novel mixture containing a number of particular mercaptans, a process for preparing it and its use as advantageous molecular weight regulator in the production of synthetic rubbers are provided.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a polycarboxylic acid polpolymer which improves the water reducing capacity and workability of cement compositions and the like and making them easier to handle when the fluidity and water reducing capacity are at the same levels, a method of producing the copolymer, and a cement additive and a cement composition comprising the copolymer. The present invention is further to provide a polycarboxylic acid copolymer and a cement additive which are capable of improving the strength and durability of hardening products of cement compositions, hence can advantageously be used in ultrahigh strength concrete. The present invention is polycarboxylic acid copolymers having high water reducing capacity, reducing the viscosity of cement compositions and improving the workability in applying cement.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a layer made from a liquid rubber composition is disclosed. A castable liquid polybutadiene is the preferred principal rubber component. The molecular weight of the castable liquid polybutadiene is at least about 1,000 and the castable liquid polybutadiene is in a liquid state at room temperature. The castable liquid rubber layer can be a cover layer, a casing layer, an intermediate layer or a core layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel rosin-alkyl ester of unsaturated fatty acid vinylic polymer and emulsion compositions and the processes for preparing them. In particular, the invention relates to novel rosin-alkyl ester of unsaturated fatty acid vinylic polymer and emulsion compositions which the polymer exhibit properties that make them useful as support resins for industrial coatings, ink and overprint formulations and as additives for formulating various coating compositions; and the emulsion which exhibits properties that make them useful as water-borne vehicles for coatings on various substrates.

Abstract: A water-based ink comprising a colorant and a water-insoluble polymer having at least two hydroxyl groups at its end; a water-based ink comprising a water-insoluble polymer having an ionic group at its end and a pigment; and a process for preparing a water-based ink, comprising dissolving a water-insoluble polymer having an ionic group at its end or at least two hydroxyl groups at its end in an organic solvent; adding a pigment, water and a neutralizing agent, and optionally a surfactant to the resulting solution; kneading the mixture to form a paste; diluting the paste with water as occasion demands; and distilling off the organic solvent to make it into a water-based system. The water-based ink can be suitably used for printers for inkjet printing.

Abstract: By resolving objections in the prior art, provided are a novel copolymer suitable as a coating polymers which is excellent in adhesion to a substrate and can be used suitably as the polymer for the coating film having durability against pattern collapse in the finer pattern formation for progressed lithography technology and a method for producing the copolymer, as well as a novel thiol compound useful as a chain transfer agent in the production of the copolymer. The novel thiol compound of the present invention has the structure represented by the formula (1); wherein R1 is a bivalent substituent selected from linear, branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon having 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a composition of living polymers comprising a non-photoinitiated radical polymerization step using a composition consisting of: at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, preferably a methacrylic monomer, at least one disulphide compound having formula (II), i.e. Z1—C(?S)—S—S—C(?S)—Z2; and at least one thermally-activate free radical source which is different from the formula (II) compound.

Abstract: A catalyst for bulk polymerization of a polymerizable unsaturated compound of the invention comprises a compound having at least one thiol group and a secondary hydroxyl group and represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 to R5 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R6 is a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group or the like. Also a process for bulk polymerization of the invention comprises polymerizing a polymerizable unsaturated compound in an inert gas atmosphere substantially in the absence of a solvent using, as a catalyst, a compound having at least one thiol group and a secondary hydroxyl group and represented by the above formula (I). According to the catalyst or the process of the invention, bulk polymerization can be carried out in one-component catalyst system in a high yield without suffering a runaway reaction.

Abstract: Covalently-bound, hydrophilic copolymer coatings for implants are disclosed. The copolymer coatings comprise a hydrophobic aryl acrylic monomer, a hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, n-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylamides, and a (meth)acrylamide reactive plasticizer.

Abstract: Graft polymer curatives comprise a side chain having an average molecular weight of at least about 500, a main chain having an average molecular weight of less than about 200, and diol functionality on the main chain. The graft polymer curative is formed via free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer with a chain transfer agent or initiator.

Abstract: A UV-transparent pressure sensitive adhesive comprising (a) a copolymer of (a1) from 75 to 99.8% by weight of acrylic esters and/or methacrylic esters of the formula CH2?CH(R1)(COOR2), where R1 is H or CH3 and R2 is an alkyl chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; (a2) from 0 to 10% by weight of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid of the formula CH2?CH(R1)(COOH), where R1 is H or CH3; (a3) from 0.2 to 5% by weight of olefinically unsaturated monomers which contain at least one UV-crosslinking functional group per monomer; and (a4) from 0 to 20% by weight of olefinically unsaturated monomers which contain at least one functional group per monomer; the copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 300,000 g/mol and (b) from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of copolymer, of a silicate filler, the silicate filler having a maximum particle diameter of 50 nm; and having a residual solvent fraction of less than 1%, based on the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A production method of a porous resin or an intermediate therefor, which comprises a step of producing a styrene-acyloxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer comprising suspension copolymerization of a styrene monomer, an acyloxystyrene monomer and a divinylbenzene monomer using an organic solvent and water, and a step of converting the styrene-acyloxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer to a styrene-hydroxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, wherein a chain transfer agent is added to the suspension copolymerization system.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for manufacturing a methyl methacrylate polymer comprising the steps of feeding a monomer containing at least 80 wt % of methyl methacrylate and a radical polymerization initiator represented formula (III) to a reactor; polymerizing the material at a polymerization temperature of 110 to 160° C. under the conditions satisfying particular equations between an initiator concentration and a polymerization temperature; feeding a reaction mixture taken out from the reactor to a devolatilization step (feeding step); and separating and removing volatiles from the reaction mixture (devolatilization step).

Abstract: Provided are a block copolymer including a polymer block containing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile as a principal constituent, which is excellent in heat resistance, weatherability, oil resistance, flame retardancy, and low-temperature resistance and which can be economically produced; and a thermoplastic resin composition and an elastomer composition each containing the block copolymer. The block copolymer is produced by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in the presence of a thiocarbonylthio group-containing compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous styrene-butadiene polymer dispersion by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture M that comprises styrene, butadiene, and if desired up to 30% by weight, per 100% by weight of monomers, of ethylenically unsaturated comonomers other than styrene and butadiene; by a monomer feed technique that includes supplying to the polymerization reaction a regulator system containing, from 0.02 to 0.4% by weight of terpinolene and from 0.5 to 2% by weight of an organic compound S containing at least one SH group.

Abstract: Provided is a polyurethane polymer which is excellent in oil resistance, weatherability, light resistance, heat resistance, hot water resistance, hydrolysis resistance, strength, chlorine resistance, and chemical resistance, and which can be produced simply and economically. The polyurethane polymer is produced by polymerizing at least two components: a vinyl polymer (A) having a mercapto group at each end of the molecular chain produced by a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization method, and an organic polyisocyanate (B). Also provided are polyurethane-based materials containing the polyurethane polymer, and polyurethane elastic fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latex that may be utilized as a binder for nonwoven applications to form a permeable sublayer of personal hygiene articles. The latex is prepared by a process including the steps of (1) polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising styrene, itaconic acid, surfactant and water soluble free radical initiator to form a seed; (2) sequentially adding equal increments of a monomer mixture of styrene, butadiene and acrylic acid to the seed under emulsion polymerization conditions to form a styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer; and then (3) neutralizing the styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid copolymer to a pH of about 4.5 to 7 to form the latex.

Abstract: It has been discovered that improved polystyrene products may be obtained by polymerizing styrene in the presence of at least one multifunctional initiator, at least one chain transfer agent, and at least one cross-linking agent. The presence of the multifunctional initiator tends to cause more branched structures in the polystyrene. A mathematical model that helps optimize the levels of these additives for given molecular weights, melt flow indices (MFIs) and zero shear viscosities (?0) has also been discovered.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer blend composition including a predominant amount of soft polymer particles and a minor amount of hard polymer particles is provided. The soft polymer particles contain, as copolymerized units, 70 to 99.7% by weight monoethylenically unsaturated (meth)acrylic monomer and from 0.3 to 10% by weight monoethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, based on weight of soft polymer particles. The soft polymer particles are made by a select process including redox polymerization or polymerization in the presence of excess unreacted monomer. The aqueous polymer blend composition is useful for preparing dry coatings having improved dirt pickup resistance and acceptable scrub resistance. A method is provided for preparing a dry coating from the aqueous polymer blend composition.

Abstract: An aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer including, as copolymerized units, 70 to 99.5% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated nonionic (meth)acrylic monomer and from 0.3 to 10% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, monoethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, wherein at least 40% by weight, based on dry polymer weight, of the emulsion polymer is formed by redox polymerization in the presence of 0.001 to 0.05 moles chain transfer agent per kg dry polymer weight is provided. An aqueous coating composition including the acrylic emulsion polymer, a method for improving the scrub resistance of a dry coating, a method for improving the adhesion of a dry coating, and a method for improving the adhesion of a dry coating to an alkyd substrate are provided.

Abstract: It has been discovered that improved polystyrene products may be obtained by polymerizing styrene in the presence of at least one multifunctional initiator, at least one chain transfer agent, and at least one cross-linking agent. The presence of the multifunctional initiator tends to cause more branched structures in the polystyrene. A mathematical model that helps optimize the levels of these additives for given molecular weights, melt flow indices (MFIs) and zero shear viscosities (&eegr;0) has also been discovered.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymers is described, wherein at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer is subjected to a free radical polymerization in the presence of stable free radicals or sources of stable free radicals and of a compound having at least one free thiol group to give a polymer, and wherein the molar ratio of compound having a free thiol group to stable free radicals is from 0.05 to 1.1. The polymerization rate is substantially increased by the compound having a free thiol group.

Abstract: A catalyst for bulk polymerization of a polymerizable unsaturated compound comprises a compound having at least one thiol group and a secondary hydroxyl group and represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 to R5 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R6 is a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group or the like. Also a process for bulk polymerization of the invention comprises polymerizing a polymerizable unsaturated compound in an inert gas atmosphere substantially in the absence of a solvent using, as a catalyst, a compound having at least one thiol group and a secondary hydroxyl group and represented by the above formula (I). According to the catalyst or the process, bulk polymerization can be carried out in one-component catalyst system in a high yield without suffering a runaway reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous polymer dispersions comprising at least one particulate polymer P having a glass transition temperature Tg of less than 0° C. which is composed of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M including: i. from 60 to 94.9% by weight, preferably from 75 to 89.5% by weight, of n-butyl acrylate as monomer M1, ii. from 5 to 39.9% by weight, preferably from 10 to 24.5% by weight, of at least one monomer M2 selected from esters of methacrylic acid with C1 to C4 alkanols, tert-butyl acrylate, and vinylaromatic monomers, and iii. from 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 2% by weight, of at least one monomer M3 selected from ethylenically unsaturated compounds having at least one acid group; the proportions of said monomers M1 to M3 being based on 100% by weight of monomers M, obtainable by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of monomers M in the presence of at least 0.

Abstract: A polyacrylate pressure sensitive adhesive, having an average molecular weight Mw (weight average) of from 100 000 to 600 000 g/mol a polydispersity of not more than 3.0 copolymerized photoinitiator units, and a process for preparing a UV-crosslinkable polyacrylate pressure sensitive adhesive having a polydispersity of not more 3.0, comprising a radical polymerization process for preparing a polymer from a monomer mixture, the monomer mixture to be polymerized comprising copolymerizable photoinitiators, the polymerization process being regulated by the presence of at least one chemical compound comprising the unit in which X is S, O or N as polymerization regulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photocurable resin composition comprising: (A) a di or more functional urethane (meth)acrylate compound; (B) a monofunctional (meth)acrylate; (C) a photoinitiator; and (D) a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphate represented by the following formula (2): 1

Abstract: Initiators for nitroxide-mediated radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: Initiators for nitroxide-mediated radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing polymer particles which are spherical and have smooth surfaces and small contents of oil- and the solvent-soluble at the time of being compounded. Polymer particles are produced by adding 0.099 to 47 parts by mass of a crosslinking vinyl monomer to 100 parts by mass of a vinyl monomer (referred to hereinafter as the monomer) during polymerization reaction at a degree of monomer polymerization of 1 to 100% in order to polymerize the monomer in a solvent in the presence of a dispersant and a polymerization initiator to give polymer particles.

Abstract: Branched polymers are prepared by mixing together monofunctional vinylic monomer with from 0.3 to 100% w/w of polyfunctional vinylic monomer and from 0.0001 to 50% w/w of chain transfer agent and thereafter reacting the mixture to form a polymer. The resulting branched polymers are soluble and may be used as component of surface coatings and inks as well as molding resins.

Abstract: The invention provides a resin molded article for optical products comprising a copolymer predominantly composed of methyl methacrylate and a styrenic monomer, wherein the number of foreign bodies contained in the resin molded article having a length of 210 mm, a width of 210 mm and a thickness of 3 mm as visually examined using a strain meter is about 150 or less, which is useful for a light transmitting plate employed in a liquid crystal display device because the possibility that the display screen looks whitely turbid due to the warp of the light transmitting plate, is reduced.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for a continuous, high temperature polymerization process for preparing a free radically polymerized epoxy-functional polymeric product. The process comprises continuously charging into a reactor at least one epoxy-functional acrylic monomer, and optionally at least one non-functional free radical polymerizable monomer. An optional free radical polymerization initiator may also be added. The reactor is maintained at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to cause polymerization of the monomers into a polymeric product, such that the polymeric product is formed substantially free of gel particles. A clear coating is also disclosed incorporating polymers of the present invention, such that the clear coating has a low Delta b value at standard conditions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymers is described, wherein at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer is subjected to a free radical polymerization in the presence of stable free radicals or sources of stable free radicals and of a compound having at least one free thiol group to give a polymer, and wherein the molar ratio of compound having a free thiol group to stable free radicals is from 0.05 to 1.1.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed which pertains to components for gel coat compositions, a process for making such gel coat compositions, and a process for making gel coated articles. Low molecular weight unsaturated polymers which incorporate multiple pendent and/or terminal acrylic or methacrylic vinyl groups are made by the addition polymerization of acrylate/methacrylate monomers with epoxy acrylates such as glycidyl methacrylate, followed by ring opening of the oxirane via action of an (meth)acrylic acid in combination with a ring-opening catalyst to produce the final unsaturated polymer. Gel coat compositions containing such polymers possess improved rheological properties and may be used to create durable in-mold coatings for articles requiring good hydrolytic stability and UV resistance.

Abstract: Antinoise and flame-resistant barriers formed by supports and by sheets fixed thereon, characterized by the fact that the sheets consist of a methylmethacrylate copolymer and acrylic acid comprised between 1 and 20% by weight.

Abstract: An acrylic polymer composition containing: (a) a first amount of a polythiol capped polymer formed by reacting a polythiol of the form (HS-Y)n-X, wherein X is a core group, each Y group is independently a linking group, n is an integer from 3 to 8, preferably from 3 to 6, with at least one mono olefinically unsaturated monomer capable of attaching to and forming a group Z, which is an acrylic polymer chain, on the sulphur atom in each of the groups (HS-Y); and (b) a second amount of a volatile solvent, and wherein the polythiol capped polymer is differentiated from a linear polymer having the same molecular weight as the polythiol capped polymer and which linear polymer is formed from substantially the same each Z group as the polythiol capped polymer in that a first amount of the linear polymer is: (i) not totally solvated by the second amount of volatile solvent; or (ii) when solvated by the second amount of volatile solvent provides a solution which has a viscosity that is at least 25%, preferably at least

Abstract: Dispersants that strongly adsorb to hydrophobic particles in aqueous media are described. The dispersants comprise one or more polyelectrolyte(s) and further comprise a hydrophobic hydrocarbon moiety. Suspensions and inks comprising the dispersants are also described.

Abstract: A crosslinkable polymeric casting composition comprises an aromatic polyvinyl monomer such as divinyl benzene, a polythiol such as pentaerythritol tetrakis-(3-mercaptopropionate), an epoxide strain-reducing agent such as hexanediol diglycidyl ether, and, optionally, a polymerizable comonomer such as polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the free-radical polymerization of monomers in gas phase or suspension processes using a supported, polymerization-initiating system comprising a) one or more polymerization-initiating components which initiate and start free-radical polymerization, b) a support, onto which said polymerization-initiating component is applied, and c) optionally, one or more modifiers which have an influence upon reaction kinetics and/or product properties.

Abstract: Mercaptans are normally used as chain transfer agents in emulsion polymerizations. The mercaptans used in commercial applications are typically complex mixtures of hundreds of similar compounds having boiling points within a narrow range. The chain transfer activity of different mercaptans with such mixtures can vary substantially. To further complicate the situation, the distribution of various mercaptans can also vary substantially between lots of material obtained from commercial sources. Thus, consistent molecular weight control is typically difficult to attain in free radical emulsion polymerizations. This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that dibenzyltrithiocarbonate will act as a pure compound to effectively and consistently control molecular weight in free radical emulsion polymerizations. The polydispersity of polymers made using dibenzyltrithiocarbonate as a molecular weight regulator is similar to that obtained using conventional mercaptan systems.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator; the ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of Component B/ multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a copolymer. The method comprises placing a vinylbenzene, such as styrene, in a reactor, placing a cross-linking agent, such as divinylbenzene in the reactor, placing a chain transfer agent, such as mercaptan, in the reactor and forming a poly vinylbenzene in the presence of the cross-linking agent and the chain transfer agent. In this embodiment, the concentration of the cross-linking agent ranges from about 150 ppm to about 400 ppm and a concentration of the chain transfer agent ranges from about 100 to about 400 ppm.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises:

Abstract: A rubber composition which comprises a rubber ingredient comprising a diene rubber and a reinforcing agent comprising silica; said diene rubber being a copolymer comprising (1) 30 to 85% by weight of conjugated diene monomer units, (2) 15 to 50% by weight of aromatic vinyl monomer units and (3) 0.05 to 20% by weight of units of a vinyl monomer having a polar group, and the diene rubber having in the molecule an alkylthio group having 12 to 16 carbon atoms, which include at least three tertiary carbon atoms, and having a sulfur atom which is directly bound to at least one of the tertiary carbon atoms.