Method for preparing finely divided ethylene polymer particles

A method for preparing finely divided ethylene polymer particles, comprising:

• 1. charging a closed vessel having a stirrer with 1 part by weight of an ethylene polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate and mixtures of two or more of the above-mentioned polymers, 1.2 to 5.0 parts by weight of an organic solvent capable of dissolving said ethylene polymer and water in an amount of 1 to 4 times that necessary for producing an azeotropic mixture with said amount of said organic solvent charged;
• 2. stirring said charge to mix said ethylene polymer, organic solvent and water, and;
• 3. effecting, while stirring said mixture, the following operations:
• a. heating said mixture to a temperature not lower than the dissolving point beneath which point said ethylene polymer can not be completely dissolved in said amount of said organic solvent, while allowing said ethylene polymer to be dissolved in said organic solvent;
• b. cooling said mixture to a temperature of at least 25.degree.C beneath said dissolving point of said ethylene polymer in said organic solvent but not lower than 0.degree.C, and;
• c. evaporating said organic solvent and water from said mixture under a reduced pressure condition, while said ethylene polymer is allowed to deposit in the form of finely divided smoothly surfaced spherical particles from the mixture of said organic solvent and water.