Polymeric composition

A method for preparing an aqueous emulsion polymer suitable for use in an improved elastomeric coating, caulk, sealant, fabric treatment, or pressure sensitive adhesive comprising forming a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −90° C. to 20° C., by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer;

• and subsequently polymerizing at least half of the remaining monomer to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms.

A method for coating a substrate with an aqueous composition to provide an elastomeric coating on a substrate comprising:

• forming said aqueous composition comprising a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −40° C. to 20° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer, and subsequently polymerizing at least half of the remaining monomer to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms;
• applying said aqueous composition to said substrate;
• and drying, or allowing to dry, said aqueous composition.

A method for applying an aqueous caulk or sealant composition to a substrate comprising:

• forming said aqueous composition comprising a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −60° C. to 20° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer, and subsequently polymerizing at least half of the remaining monomer to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms;
• applying said aqueous composition to said substrate;
• and drying, or allowing to dry, said aqueous composition.

A method for providing a pressure sensitive adhesive on a substrate comprising:

• forming said aqueous composition comprising a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −90° C. to 0° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer, and subsequently polymerizing at least half of the remaining monomer to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms;
• applying said aqueous composition to said substrate;
• and drying, or allowing to dry, said aqueous composition.

A method for providing a treated fabric comprising:

• forming said aqueous composition comprising a predominantly acrylic aqueous emulsion polymer, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from −60° C. to 0° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer until 90-99.7% of said monomers by weight, based on the total weight of said polymer, has been converted to polymer, and subsequently polymerizing at least half of the remaining monomer to polymer in the presence of 0.01-0.099%, by weight based on the total weight of said polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms;
• applying said aqueous composition to said fabric;
• and drying, or allowing to dry, said aqueous composition.