Patent ID: 6090889
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: C08F,C08L

Abstract:
A process for preparing a rubbery polymer having improved properties, said process comprising the steps of (1) polymerizing (a) butyl acrylate, or optionally a mixture of butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate containing up to about 40 percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, (c) acrylonitrile and (d) a crosslinking agent under emulsion polymerization conditions to produce a seed polymer containing latex; (2) adding (a) styrene, (b) additional acrylonitrile and (c) additional crosslinking agent to the seed polymer containing latex under emulsion polymerization conditions which result in the formation of an emulsion containing the rubbery polymer; (3) recovering the rubbery polymer from the emulsion containing the rubbery polymer; (4) adding (a) a condensation reaction catalyst and (b) a member selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohols that contain only one hydroxyl group and ethylene vinyl acetate polymers to the rubbery polymer to produce a reactive mixture; and (5) mixing the reactive mixture for at least 1 minute at a temperature which is within the range of about 100.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.