The invention relates to the field of preparing aqueous dispersions of organic, organometallic or inorganic particles. In particular, the invention relates to the preparation of aqueous suspensions comprising organic, organometallic or inorganic particles and at least one particular copolymer obtained by polymerization of at least one acid and at least one compound or at least one ester derived from a particular acid, in the presence of water, at least one initiator compound and at least one activator compound, followed by total or partial neutralization by means of at least one compound chosen from alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal dihydroxides and mixtures thereof. The invention relates to such a particular copolymer having a low polydispersity index and weight-average molecular weight, the preparation process thereof and the use thereof, especially for the preparation of an aqueous paint composition.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, aqueous coating compositions, and methods for improving the freeze/thaw stability of aqueous coating compositions. In one aspect, a method for improving the freeze/thaw stability of an aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous polymeric dispersion, the method comprising adding the following compound to the aqueous coating composition: (Formula (I)) wherein n=4 to 8. ##STR00001##

An apparatus, kit, and methods for forming a bead between bead-forming blocks having internal bead-forming channels are provided. The bead-forming channels of adjacent bead-forming blocks are slidably engaged to manipulate a measured amount of modeling compound between the bead-forming blocks and within an internal space between the opposing channels. In one embodiment, the bead-forming blocks maintain orientation with respect to an axis of travel based on a block guide. Further, the measured amount of modeling compound is determined using an integrated measuring feature coupled to at least one of the pair of bead-forming blocks. The internal volume of an integrated measuring feature corresponds to a threshold amount of modeling compound for manipulating between the pair of blocks and forming a bead while contacting at least a portion of the mated bead-forming channels. In further aspects, a molded bead may be coated with a multicomponent bead-coating mixture. Multi-component bead-coating mixtures and methods of using thereof are provided.

The present invention aims to provide a polymer capable of well dispersing hydrophobic particles. The present invention relates to a hydrophobic group-containing copolymer including a structural unit (A) derived from a hydrophobic group-containing monomer that is represented by the formula (1) and a structural unit (B) derived from a carboxylic acid-based monomer. The proportion of the structural unit (A) is from 16% by mass or more to 50% by mass or less based on 100% by mass of the structural units derived from all monomers constituting the copolymer, and the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a high PVC aqueous coating composition that provides coatings with improved beading effect and good stain resistance.

The present invention relates to novel polymer compositions, to a process for their manufacturing, to the use of said polymer compositions for modifying the viscosity of aqueous compositions, and to water-borne coating compositions containing the novel polymer compositions as thickeners. The polymer compositions comprise a polymer material which is obtainable by reacting: a) a polymer P1 having at least one functional group of the formula (I), where k is an integer from 0 to 4; n is 0 or 1 p is an integer from 1 to 10, the number average of p being from 1.5 to 10; Q is a divalent moiety selected from the group consisting of O and NH; P is a p-valent hydrophilic neutral polymer radical; and R.sup.1 is as defined in the claims; with b) a succinic anhydride of the formula (II) where R is C.sub.4-C.sub.24-alkyl or C.sub.4-C.sub.24-alkenyl. ##STR00001##

Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C.sub.10-C.sub.20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a process for forming a wood-base product comprising the steps of a) providing particles of wood, b) resinating the particles of wood with a binder, c) compressing the resinated particles of wood to form a wood-base product, wherein before, during or after step b) the particles of wood and/or the binder are brought into contact with a broken dispersion. The invention also relates to the use of a polyfunctional compound as demulsifier for breaking a wax-containing dispersion. The invention further relates to a broken dispersion for hydrophobicizing lignocellulose-containing material. The invention additionally relates to a two-component system containing at least two components A and B: a wax-containing dispersion A) and a demulsifier B) having at least one functional group for breaking the wax-containing dispersion.

An aqueous coating composition is provided that is useful in coating a variety of substrates, including interior or exterior portions of food or beverage cans. The coating composition includes a resin system that includes a multi-stage latex. In some embodiments, the multi-stage latex is formed using a process that includes emulsion polymerizing two or more stages in the presence of an aqueous dispersion including a water-dispersible polymer. In certain preferred embodiments, the water-dispersible polymer is a polyether polymer.

A coating composition including about 5 wt % to about 70 wt % of a latex or a water-dispersible film forming polymer, based on the total weight of the coating composition, a surfactant present in the coating composition at 0.1% to about 1% on the continuous phase of the coating composition; a polymeric associative thickener present in the coating composition at about 0.1% to about 2% on the continuous phase of the coating composition; about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % a styrene acrylic resin, based on the total weight of the coating composition; and an aqueous diluent.