Bulk polymerization process for preparing solid acrylic resin

US6160059A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Cook Composites & Polymers Co. · US

Inventors

• George Roth · New Milford, US
• George A. Smith · Austin, US
• Reuben H. Grinstein · Blue Bell, US
• Paul D. Whyzmuzis · Souderton, US
• Shruti Singhal · Villanova, US
• Steve Boucher · Hatfield, US
• Roger A. Lovald · Lansdale, US
• David Devore · Langhorne, US
• Stephen A. Fischer · Yardley, US
• Michael S. Wiggins · Lansdale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 10, 1997
• Grant date: Dec 12, 2000
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F2/02
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Described is a process for making acrylic resins suitable as polymeric surfactants used in emulsion polymerization, as pigment grinding resins and for preparing dispersions used as overprint varnishes. The feedstock is styrene, .alpha.-methyl styrene, acrylic acid and a polymerization initiator and is preferably free of solvent. This mix is passed through a continuous tube reactor run at a controlled range of pressure and relatively low residence time and temperature. Optimally, when the polymer/unreacted monomers blend exits the reactor and is devolatilized, the recovered monomers are used to make up part of the feedstock.