Dulux Australia Ltd.

Colin M Richards

John Gillan

This invention relates to a novel product, fibrils of crosslinked polyester resin having a vesiculated structure, and to a process of making them. Vesiculated fibrils of crosslinked polyester resin of length 50 .mu.m-5 cm, diameter 1 .mu.m-2 mm and aspect ratio of 10-50 are prepared by pouring into water with stirring a selected solution in unsaturated monomer of a carboxylated unsaturated polyester resin of acid value 10-90 mg KOH per g., the water containing both a base having a pK.sub.b value of 8 maximum and a dispersion stabilizer, and initiating polymerization. The polyester solution is selected for suitability for fibril formation by means of a buoyancy test. The fibrils are useful in a number of applications, for example, as fillers for paints and putties, viscosity modifiers in liquids and replacements in some applications for fibrous mineral extenders such as asbestos.

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Black Rock, Australia

Colin M Richards