Polymers, their production and uses

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Polymers, their Production and Uses Novel polyvinyl alcohols include, in the polymeric backbone, vinyl units containing pendant hydrophobic groups. The polymers are made by hydrolysis of corresponding polyvinyl acylates under conditions are avoid hydrolysis of the pendant hydrophobic groups from the polymer. These groups are preferably bonded into the polymer as allyl ether units. The hydrophobic units act as internal plasticisers in films or other shaped articles formed from the polymers and, in particular gives significant benefit in viscosity and other rheology characteristics of aqueous compositions formed from the polymer.