Maleate copolymers comprise less than 1% residual total free monomer and have a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 7,000. The copolymer comprises at least 50 mole percent maleate, 10 to 50 mole percent acrylate monomer and, preferably, about 1 to 10 mole percent of at least one non-ionic comonomer. The copolymers are useful in inhibiting deposition of water hardness ions, in detergents and as dispersants in aqueous slurries. Copolymers are prepared by an aqueous solution polymerization process, comprising the steps of initially neutralizing at least 70%, on a molar basis, of the charge of a maleate monomer, followed by the slow addition of at least one polymerizable comonomer, together with an oxidative free radical initiator and a suitable metallic ion reductant, for synthesis over at least a three hour period at 80 to 100°C, followed by the addition of more initiator.
马来酸盐共聚物的游离单体残留总量小于 1%,重量平均分子量为 500 至 7,000。共聚物包括至少 50 摩尔%的
马来酸盐、10 至 50 摩尔%的
丙烯酸酯单体,最好还包括约 1 至 10 摩尔%的至少一种非离子共聚单体。这种共聚物可用于抑制
水硬度离子的沉积,也可用于洗涤剂和
水浆中的分散剂。共聚物是通过
水溶液聚合工艺制备的,该工艺包括以下步骤:首先中和至少 70% 的
马来酸单体电荷(按摩尔计),然后缓慢加入至少一种可聚合的共聚单体、氧化自由基
引发剂和适当的
金属离子还原剂,在 80-100°C 温度下合成至少三小时,最后加入更多的
引发剂。