Acrylic modified anionic water dispersible polystyrene

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention is concerned with acrylic modified polystyrene.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#A two liter resin kettle was charged with 125.0 g. of Cellosolve which was subsequently heated to 125.degree. C. in a nitrogen atmosphere. A mixture of 175.0 g. of styrene and 8.8 g. of t-butylperbenzoate was added dropwise over a one hour period. After an additional hour at 125.degree. C., the conversion of monomer to poly(styrene) was determined to be complete by conventional gravimetric means. The contents of the reaction vessel were then cooled to 110.degree. C. whereupon a solution of 50.0 g. of methacrylic acid, 100.0 g. of styrene, 175.0 g. of ethyl acrylate, and 23.0 g. of benzoyl peroxide was added dropwise over a three hour period. The reaction mixture was held at 110.degree. C. for one hour and then cooled to 90.degree. C. whereupon 3.3 g. of additional benzoyl peroxide was added. After an additional hour at 90.degree. C., and sixteen hours at 60.degree. C., 46.6 g. of dimethylethanolamine and 46.6 g. of deionized water was added. Subsequently, 950.0 g. of deionized water was added over a two hour period. The resulting aqueous dispersion (pH=8.15, Brookfield viscosity=160 cps.) was determined to contain 31.3 percent non-volatile material (2 hrs. @ 150.degree. C.) with an acid number of 72.6 (on solids).

#Although the present invention has been described with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims.