Abstract: Improved, removable PSA compositions and constructions contain an emulsion acrylic PSA copolymer of a plurality of acrylic monomers and at least one multifunctional crosslinking monomer, compounded with a wax and a plasticizer. Peel forces required to remove the constructions from a variety of substrates are notably smaller than those required to remove comparable compositions containing no crosslinking monomer.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of a fluorocopolymer, which is excellent in stability and film-forming properties as an aqueous dispersion and which gives a coating film excellent in mechanical strength and improved in transparency, water resistance and stain resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer produced by polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a small amount of furfuryl (alkyl)acrylate.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a composition and thermoformable sheets and articles made therefrom. In the present invention, ranges of chain-transfer agents, thixotropic agents, and mineral filler content are balanced to minimize migration or maldistribution of coloring matter and mineral filler during curing of methyl methacrylate in a syrup and also during subsequent heating and deformation in thermoforming, to achieve constancy of impact resistance and improve stability of patterns even in deformed portions of formed sheets.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for a continuous, high temperature polymerization process for preparing a gel free polymeric product. The process comprises continuously charging into a reactor at least one monomer such that the reactor is filled to 100 percent of its usable volume. 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.

Abstract: A composition of matter formed by melt-blending certain thermoplastic polymers and from about 1.0 to about 7.5 wt. % of a fluorocarbon additive, the additive having a lower by surface energy than that of the polymer; the blending resulting in a cooled admixture having a concentration of fluorocarbon additive through a cross-section of the solid composition lower in the interior thereof and higher at the surfaces thereof.

Abstract: Improved processes have been developed for atom (or group) transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In one improvement, the ATRP process involves polymerizing in the presence of a (partially) free radical-deactivating amount of the corresponding reduced or oxidized transition metal compound. In a further improvement, the ATRP process involves polymerizing in a homogeneous system or in the presence of a solubilized initiating/catalytic system. The present invention also concerns end-functional, site-specific functional and telechelic homopolymers and copolymers; block, random, graft, alternating and tapered (or “gradient”) copolymers which may have certain properties or a certain novel structure; star, comb and “hyperbranched” polymers and copolymers; multi-functional hyperbranched, end-functional polymers; cross-linked polymers and gels; water-soluble polymers and hydrogels (e.g.

Abstract: Thermosettable PSA compositions of the invention comprise a major proportion of the adhesive component of at least one acidic polymer and at least one amine-containing compound capable of reacting with acidic functional groups on the acidic polymer to cure the thermosettable PSA composition into a thermoset adhesive. The thermosettable PSA compositions are particularly useful for forming semi-structural or structural bonds. Thermoset adhesives therefrom and methods of forming the thermoset adhesives are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymerization process for the preparation of vinylic polymers from the corresponding vinylic monomers which process comprises the step of reacting a vinylic monomer in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a) a compound of general formula (I) where M is any metal capable of coordinating to an enolate or delocalized enolate-like species; B1, B2, B3 and B4 are chosen from nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus containing moieties wherein each of said nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosporus is linked to at least one carbon atom of an organic group and to M; X1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, H, halogen, alkoxy, thiol aryloxy, ester, b) a metal, complex of general formula (II) where A is selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, vanadium and the rare earth metals; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are ligands and c) a Lewis acid of general formula (III) wherein at least one of W, Y or Z is capable of forming a co-ordination bond with A and the

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a polymer, which comprises subjecting a monomer containing at least a polar unsaturated compound to anionic polymerization in the presence of a phosphazenium compound represented by the formula (1): (wherein Z− is an anion of an active hydrogen compound in the form where a proton is eliminated from the active hydrogen compound and transferred to the anion; a, b, c and d each represents 1 or 0, but all of them are not simultaneously 0; and R may the same or different and each represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and two R(s) on the same nitrogen atom are optionally combined each other to form a cyclic structure), or in the presence of the phosphazenium compound and the active hydrogen compound. The resulting polymer is characterized by narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Free radical polymerizations immediately terminated by a process comprising the addition of an inhibitor solution which contains phenothiazine and at least 50% (w/w) N-alkylpyrrolidone to a system undergoing free radical polymerization, wherein the inhibitor solution also contains p-methoxyphenol (MEHQ).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of terpolymers of ethylene and at least 2 further olefinically unsaturated compounds by polymerization in a tubular reactor fitted with at least one side branch, wherein the fresh monomer components, which are introduced into the tubular reactor via the reactor inlet (the primary stream) or via the side branch or side branches (secondary stream or secondary streams), in each of the streams contain ethylene and at most one further olefinically unsaturated compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anaerobic adhesive compositions which have been optimized using experimental design techniques to produce desired physical properties. A simplified cure system is disclosed which permits enhanced fixture and cure times.

Abstract: A method for determining the water strain of an article is provided in the present invention by predetermining a maximum tilt range and radius for the article. Further embodiments of the present invention include a storage medium for data and a polymer for use in a storage medium for data where the storage medium comprises a plurality of layers wherein the aforementioned water strain is calculated for the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A refinish basecoat composition includes at least one pigment and an hydroxyl-functional acrylic polymer. The acrylic polymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 6000 and is polymerized using at least about 45% by weight cycloaliphatic monomer, based on total monomer weight polymerized. A mixer system that can be used to prepare the refinish basecoat has a plurality of color components, each independently including at least one pigment dispersed by the hydroxyl-functional acrylic polymer, and a pigment-free component containing the hydroxyl-functional acrylic polymer.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of inorganic and organic bead polymers using a static micromixer is disclosed. The bead polymers obtainable by the process according to the invention have a very uniform particle size distribution, which can be set in a range of between 0.1 and 300 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the living free radical addition polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers using at least one free-radical polymerization initiator and in the presence of one or more stable N-oxyl radicals, wherein at least one stable N-oxyl radical has polymerizable double bonds. The invention additionally provides polymers obtainable by this process, having a polydispersity index PDI of from 1.0 to 1.8, and provides for the use of stable N-oxyl radicals having polymerizable double bonds in the living free radical addition polymerization of one or more different ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A diarylethene compound of the following formula (1) wherein R1 is a hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-22 alkyl group, a fluoro group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenylalkyl group, R2 is a C1-22 alkylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with fluorine, R3 is a chemical bond, O, S, NR1, N(R2R1), or a C1-3 alkylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more oxygen atoms or fluorine atoms, X and Y independently of one another O, S, nitrogen, NR1, or N(R2R1), and Z is a carbonyl group or a methylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a copolymer and a copolymer product of the method. The copolymer is prepared by a controlled radical polymerization process, typically an atom transfer radical polymerization process, in which polymerizable alkene monomers are polymerized in the presence of a halogenated polyolefin macroinitiator. The copolymer product of this process is useful in a film-forming composition that adheres strongly to polyolefinic substrates and to which non-polyolefinic film-forming compositions strongly adhere. The copolymer can be applied to a substrate in an adhesion-promoting layer or can be incorporated into a film-forming composition, such as a primer, that contains additional resinous compounds.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylic ester, which has both radical polymerizability and cation polymerizability, improved in storage stability and stability in handling without impairing its polymerizability or, in other words, provide a stabilized vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylic ester. Another object is to provide a method of producing a stabilized vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylic ester composition. A further object is to provide a method of stably handing, a method of economically and stably producing and a method of purifying a vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylic ester.

Abstract: A polymer dispersant for pigments based on a random copolymer wherein the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 3000 and comprises a polymeric backbone of primarily acrylic monomers wherein the backbone contains multiple pigment anchoring groups attached thereto including at least one amide group and one or more additional pigment anchoring groups selected from the group consisting of aromatic esters, aromatic amines, and quaternary ammonium salts. These materials disperse a wide variety of pigments and are useful in solvent borne coatings where they can provide improved efficiency of pigment use, lower paint viscosity, and reduced emission of volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: Catalyst systems for the polymerization or copolymerization of 1-olefins which contain nitrogen-containing transition metal compounds comprising the skeletal unit depicted in formula (B), wherein M is Fe[II] Fe[III], Co[I], Co[II], Co[III], Mn[I], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III] or Ru[IV]; X is an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the transition metal M; T is the oxidation state of the transition metal M and b is the valency of the atom or group X; and R1-R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl.

Abstract: The process for the continuous preparation of homopolymers or copolymers by free-impinging-jet micromixing of fluids formed (1) of monomer(s) and (2) of an initiator system consists in micromixing the said fluids (1) and (2) and in recovering the mixture of these fluids in the form of a resultant jet Jr, originating from the point of impingement (I), the micromixture being obtained by:

Abstract: Provided are a flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition having good blow moldability, and blow moldings of the composition having good flame retardancy and having good impact resistance, high mechanical strength and good thermal stability intrinsic to polycarbonate resins. The composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a resin or resin mixture of (A) from 30 to 100% by weight of a polycarbonate resin and (B) from 0 to 70% by weight of a styrenic resin, from 1 to 50 parts by weight of (C) a flame retardant, and from 1 to 20 parts by weight of (D) a methyl methacrylate polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000, and optionally contains (E) a fluoro-olefinic resin, (F) a rubber-like elastomer, and (G) an inorganic filler.

Abstract: A methyl methacrylate syrup is produced by the steps of (1) preparing a starting material comprising methyl methacrylate or a monomer mixture mainly comprising methyl methacrylate, and dividing the starting material into 20 to 70% by weight of an initial charge and 30 to 80% by weight of an after-charge; (2) heating the initial charge in a reactor; (3) adding a whole protion of a chain transfer agent at the time when the initial charge reaches a reaction temperature; (4) adding the after-charge over 0.1 to 10 hours together with a polymerization initiator having a half-life of 10 to 300 seconds at the reaction temperature; (5) continuing the heating after the addition of the after-charge and the polymerization initiator is complete; and (6) adding a hindered phenol polymerization inhibitor at the time the heating is finished. The methyl methacrylate syrup thus produced is excellent in storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides paper coating slips comprising a low-crosslink copolymer as their binder.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: Polymerizable monomer compositions, transparent polymer substrates and optical and ophthalmic articles obtained.

Abstract: An adhesive which is a reaction product of polymerizing, and curing or crosslinking a monomer component containing 80-85 wt % of an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester monomer with an alkyl group of 1-18 carbon atoms and 15-20 wt % of an unsaturated monomer with at least one polar functional group, and which has a gel percentage of 50-85% after curing or crosslinking.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards substantially linear copolymers formed using a metal complex having the formula LMX1X2. L is a bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand with more than 2 nitrogens. M is copper, silver, or gold. X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of halogens, hydride, triflate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, perfluorotetraphenylborate, tetrafluoroborate, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert. Such metal complexes have a tetrahedral or pseudo-tetrahedral structure and may be used with an activating cocatalyst. The invention is derived from polymers and copolymers using such catalyst compositions, especially copolymers having segments formed from olefinic monomers and monomers having at least one hydrocarbyl polar functional group.

Abstract: An adhesive composition which lacks functional groups containing reactive hydrogen moieties and contains no post-polymerization chemical crosslinker finds use in transdermal drug delivery systems. The invention enables the administration of drugs containing a reactive functional group, which drugs have heretofore not been able to be administered by the transdermal route using conventional acrylic adhesives.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymers including as polymerized units one or more spirocyclic olefin monomer of the formulae I or Ia wherein A=CH2; G=C(Z′), O, and NR2; R2=H, (C1-C8)alkyl or substituted (C1-C8)alkyl; E and W are independently selected from C(Z′), O and a chemical bond; Z′=O; n=1; m=1; m′=0; 1=0 to 5; and p=0 to 5; provided that when both E and W are C(Z′), G is NR2; wherein T and L are taken together to form a double bond. These polymers are useful in photoresist compositions. Methods of making and using these polymers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new polymerization process (atom transfer radical polymerization, or ATRP) based on a redox reaction between a transition metal (e.g., Cu(I)/Cu(II), provides “living” or controlled radical polymerization of styrene, (meth)acrylates, and other radically polymerizable monomers. Using various simple organic halides as model halogen atom transfer precursors (initiators) and transition metal complexes as a model halogen atom transfer promoters (catalysts), a “living” radical polymerization affords (co)polymers having the predetermined number average molecular weight by &Dgr;[M]/[I]0 (up to Mn>105) and a surprisingly narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), as low as 1.15. The participation of free radical intermediates in ATRP is supported by end-group analysis and stereochemistry of the polymerization. In addition, polymers with various topologies (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflective coating polymer, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) composition comprising the same, methods for producing the same, and methods for using the same. The anti-reflective coating polymer of the present invention are particularly useful in a submicrolithographic process, for example, using ArF (193 nm) laser as a light source. The ARC of the present invention significantly reduces or prevents back reflection of light and the problem of the CD alteration caused by the diffracted and/or reflected light. The ARC of the present invention also significantly reduces or eliminates the standing wave effect and reflective notching. Thus, the use of ARC of the present invention results in formation of a stable ultrafine pattern that is suitable in manufacturing of 1G, and 4G DRAM semiconductor devices. Moreover, the ARC of the present invention significantly improves the production yield of such semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers of the general formula I: 1

Abstract: This invention concerns copolymers, which are obtainable by ATRP methods, where a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers consisting of a) 0 to 40% by weight of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (I) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R1 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR′, where R′ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, b) 10 to 98% by weight of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (II) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R4 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R5 and R6 independently are hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR″, where R″ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 6 to 15 carbon atoms, c) 0 to 80% by weight of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (III) where R is hydr

Abstract: A process for preparing low molecular weight homomacromers and comacromers which includes (a) charging a reactor with (i) ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic monomers or monoalkenyl aromatic monomers and (ii) if said ethylenically unsaturated monomer is not a thermally initiating monomer, a free radical polymerizable initiator, to form a polymerizable reaction charge. The reaction charge is heated during continuous mixing in the reactor to reaction temperature in the range from about 180° C. to about 500° C. for a residence time greater than 5 minutes to form the low molecular weight homomacromers or comacromers. If the residence time is 60 minutes or less, the reaction temperature is greater than 270° C. and if the reaction charge is a mixture of acrylic monomer and monoalkenyl monomer and the residence time is 60 minutes or less then the reaction temperature is greater than 310° C.

Abstract: An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which contains a high molecular weight polymer, is excellent in cohesive force and adhesive strength and can be prepared without using an organic solvent. The acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is produced by a process which comprises radical-polymerizing monomers containing an alkyl (meth)acrylate using carbon dioxide as a diluent to thereby prepare a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing an acrylic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 400,000 or more. The polymerization pressure ranges from, for example, about 5.7 to 40 MPa, AND the polymerization temperature ranges from, for example, about 20 to 100° C.

Abstract: Polymers are provided having the following formula I, II or III: Polymers of the present invention can be used to provide an anti-reflective coating (ARC) material useful for submicrolithography processes using 248 nm KrF, 193 nm ArF and 157 nm F2 lasers. The polymers contain chromophore substituents which exhibit sufficient absorbance at wavelengths useful for such submicrolithography process. The ARC prevents back reflection from the surface of or lower layers in the semiconductor devices and solves the problem of the CD being altered by the diffracted and reflected light from such lower layers. The ARC also eliminates the standing waves and reflective notching due to the optical properties of lower layers on the wafer, and due to the changes in the thickness of the photosensitive film applied thereon. This results in the formation of stable ultrafine patterns suitable for 64M, 256M, 1 G, 4 G and 16 G DRAM semiconductor devices and a great improvement in the production yield.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an acrylic acid ester polymer, includes carrying out polymerization of an acrylic acid ester or block copolymerization of an acrylic acid ester and another (meth)acrylic monomer in the presence of an organolithium compound and an organoaluminum compound represented by the following formula (I):

Abstract: A process for the emulsion polymerization in the presence of a stable free radical of at least one monomer which can be polymerized by the radical route, which emulsion comprises a liquid aqueous phase and a liquid organic phase, the aqueous phase comprising at least 50% by weight of water and the liquid organic phase comprising more than 50% by weight of monomer(s) to be polymerized. The invention results, by a rapid controlled polymerization process, in a latex of polymer particles, it being possible for the polymer to comprise acrylate and/or methacrylate blocks.

Abstract: Block copolymers having a molecular weight distribution of between 1.0 and 5.0 comprising at least one block of polymerized alkyl methacrylate monomer(s), wherein from 50 to 100% by weight of the monomers for forming the alkyl methacrylate block are C12-C30 alkyl methacrylates, and a block of a polymerized conjugated alkadiene. The block copolymers of the present invention are useful as viscosity index improvers in lubricating oil compositions as well as compatibilizers for compositions containing both polymethacrylates and olefin copolymers or hydrogenated block polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are heat sensitive coatings and record materials that are environmentally resistant and therefore do not require a protective coating. One embodiment includes an environmentally resistant heat sensitive coating that includes an acrylate polymer of the formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, and R3 is nitrile or chlorine or wherein, when c is 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, and when c is greater than 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, halogen, nitrile or hydroxyl; m is greater than 1; n is greater than 1; b is greater than or equal to 0; and c is an integer from 0 to 38.

Abstract: An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive which is produced by advantageous continuous polymerization and has a reduced low molecular component content and therefore hardly contaminates an adherend, and a process of producing such an adhesive. The process comprises continuously feeding a monomer mainly comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, a radical polymerization initiator and carbon dioxide to a continuous reactor through a mixer and performing continuous bulk polymerization at a polymerization temperature of 50 to 180° C. for a residence time of 0.5 to 60 minutes in a continuous reaction zone of said reactor.

Abstract: A composition for an anti-reflective coating or a light absorbing coating, which shows good light absorption for lights of 100-450 nm in wavelength, suffers neither footing nor intermixing, and has excellent storage stability and step coverage, and novel copolymers to be used therein.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an acrylic acid ester polymer, includes carrying out polymerization of an acrylic acid ester or block copolymerization of an acrylic acid ester and another (meth)acrylic monomer in the presence of an organolithium compound and an organoaluminum compound represented by the following formula (I): AlR1R2R3  (I) wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having at least 3 carbon atoms or an aryloxy group, R2 and R3 each independently represent an aryloxy group or may be coupled together to form an arylenedioxy group. The process makes it possible to increase the reaction rate and living properties upon polymerization and increase the block formation efficiency upon block copolymerization.