Acrylic polymer compositions with crystalline side chains and processes for their preparation

A method of using a polymer as an adhesive comprising applying said polymer to a substrate to form a first polymer coated substrate, then applying a second substrate to said first polymer coated substrate wherein said polymer is prepared by, first, forming a slurry by cooling a solution which contains a solvent and from 1 to less than 50 percent by weight of a synthetic wax monomer of formula I:

• wherein
• R1 is selected from H and CH3,
• R2 is selected from H and C1-C5 alkyl,
• R3 is selected from H and CH3,
• n=9-115, and
• m=0-1370;
• second, adding from 50 to 99 percent by weight of at least one second monomer;
• and finally, polymerizing the reaction mixture in the presence of an initiator.