WO2006107060A1

WO2006107060A1 - Water soluble polymer composition

Info

Publication number: WO2006107060A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/307168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takahiro Tsumori; Akihiko Kanzaki; Yoshikazu Fujii
Original assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2006-03-29
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: JP2008535933A

Abstract

A water soluble polymer composition including (A) a polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer; and (B) a poly(carboxylic acid) type polymer having no polyalkylene glycol chain, the composition having a Ca ion trapping ability of 300 mg CaCO3/g or higher, and a clay dispersing ability, at a hardness of 100 ppm, of 0.5 or higher; a process for producing the water soluble polymer composition; and various applications of the water soluble polymer composition.

Description

DESCRIPTION WATER SOLUBLE POLYMER COMPOSITION

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a water soluble polymer composition preferably suitable as a detergent builder and the like, having both a high chelating ability (e.g. , a high calcium ion trapping ability) and a high inorganic particle (clay) dispersing ability in combination.

BACKGROUND ART

For a surfactant (s) serving as the main ingredient of a detergent composition and the like, there have mainly been used those of the anionic type. The term "detergent composition" refers both to a detergent itself as a final product and to an intermediate product for the preparation of a detergent.

The surfactants of the anionic type may form, if hardness components such as Ca and Mg ions are present, salts with these hardness components to cause insolubilization, thereby remarkably reducing effects such as detergency. Thus, for the purpose of trapping these hardness components, for example, a water soluble polymer having an excellent Ca ion trapping ability is added as a builder to a detergent. If the water soluble polymer further has the action of dispersing, in water, inorganic particles responsible for clay-soil stain and the like (i.e., a clay dispersing ability), the detergency for clay-soil stain can also be improved, and therefore, such a water soluble polymer becomes particularly suitable as a detergent builder. The height of a clay dispersing ability is remarkably shown as the action of anti-redeposition on white cloth. As polymers having both a Ca ion trapping ability and a clay dispersing ability in combination, water soluble poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymers have been well known in the art, and have been used for a wide range of applications, in addition to an application to the above-described detergent composition, such as dispersants, flocculants, scale inhibitors, chelating agents, and fiber treating agents (e.g., see Japanese Patent Publication No. 3578893).

Examples of the water soluble poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymers may include acrylic acid type polymers (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 62-270605) and maleic acid / acrylic acid type copolymers (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 5-247143). These polymers exhibit excellent performance in the Ca ion trapping ability and in the clay dispersing ability, and therefore, they are useful in the above-described various applications .

By the way, the ratio of soft water is relatively high in Japan, and even water soluble polymers having a Ca ion trapping ability at a conventional level have sufficiently served as detergent builders. However, from a global point of view, there are wide area in which hard water with a high hardness is used for washing, and the builders to be used in such areas are required to have a further high Ca ion trapping ability. However, if water soluble polymers trap a great amount of Ca ions, they may form salts to cause insolubilization, thereby reducing a clay dispersing ability. Thus, there arises a problem that the Ca ion trapping ability and the clay dispersing ability cannot be made compatible at a high level .

On the other hand, it has also been known that polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymers are useful as builders (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-open Publications No. 2002-60433, No. 2002-60785, and No . 2004-75977). However, such water soluble polymers contain a polyalkylene glycol chain (s) for the purpose of exhibiting the solubility as builders into liquid detergents, and therefore, the amount of carboxyl groups per gram of the polymers is smaller than that of the above-described poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymers. Thus, there arises a problem that they have an insufficient Ca ion trapping ability in an environment of hard water with a high hardness.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described prior art, the present invention has an objective to find out a water soluble polymer composition which can exhibit an excellent Ca ion trapping ability and an excellent clay dispersing ability in comparison with the conventional builders, and the present invention further has an objective to provide a detergent builder of such high performance, a detergent composition, and a process for producing a detergent composition.

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention comprises (A) a polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer and (B) a poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer having no polyalkylene glycol chain, the composition having a calcium ion trapping ability of 300 mg CaCOs/g or higher, and a clay dispersing ability, at a hardness of 100 ppm, of 0.5 or higher. The term "polymer" as used herein refers to a homopolymer and a multi-component copolymer containing two or more components.

The composition may preferably contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) at an amount of 5% to 35% by mass and the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) at an amount of 95% to 65% by mass, when the total amount of the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) is taken as 100% by mass. When the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) is synthesized from monomer components comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymerizable monomer, an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and/or an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, both a Ca ion trapping ability and a clay dispersing ability can further be improved . The term "a carboxylic acid(s) or a salt(s) thereof" may simply be abbreviated as ^λλa carboxylic acid(s) (salt (s) ) ". The above water soluble polymer composition may preferably be produced by a process comprising steps of: separately preparing (a) an aqueous solution which contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and does not contain the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and (b) an aqueous solution which does not contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and contains the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B); and then mixing the aqueous solution (a) and the aqueous solution (b) . The present invention includes a detergent builder containing the above water soluble polymer composition and a detergent composition containing the detergent builder. Moreover, a process for producing a detergent composition according to the present invention comprises steps of: separately preparing (a) an aqueous solution which contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and does not contain the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and (b) an aqueous solution which does not contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and contains the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B); and then mixing the aqueous solution (a) , the aqueous solution (b) , and other ingredients necessary for the detergent composition . The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention comprises a polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and a poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and exhibit both a high Ca ion trapping ability and an excellent clay dispersing ability. Therefore, the use of the water soluble polymer composition as a detergent builder makes it possible to provide a detergent composition which can have a good washing effect, even in an environment of hard water with a high hardness.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention comprises a polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and a poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) .

The polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) can be obtained by the addition polymerization, on water or alcohols, of at least one member selected from alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, isobutylene oxide, 1-butene oxide, 2-butene oxide, trimethylethylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide , butadiene monoxide, and octylene oxide; aromatic oxides such as styrene oxide and 1, 1-diphenylethylene oxide; epihalohydrines such as epichlorhydrine and epibromohydrine ; and glycidyl ethers such as glycidol, butyl glycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, hexyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, and phenyl glycidyl ether, using any of the well-known methods. However, the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) may preferably be synthesized by the radical polymerization of monomer components (I) comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymerizable monomer. Examples of the polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer may include ether type monomers, which are obtained by the addition of 1 to 300 moles of the above alkylene oxides to 1 mole of unsaturated alcohols such as 3-methyl-3-buten-l-ol , 3-methyl-2-buten-l-ol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, glycerol mono (meth) allyl ether, and (meth) allyl alcohol; esterified products of long chain alcohols, which are obtained by the addition of 1 to 300 moles of the above alkylene oxide to 1 mole of alcohols, and unsaturated monocarboxylic acid type monomers such as (meth) acrylic acid and crotonic acid; mono-esterified products (salts) or di-esterified products (salts) of the above long chain alcohols and unsaturated polycarboxylic acid type monomers such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, and aconitic acid; monoester type monomers, which are obtained by the addition of 1 to 300 moles of the above alkylene oxides to 1 mole of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid type monomers such as (meth) acrylic acid and crotonic acid; and mono-esterified products (salts) or di-esterified products (salts), which are obtained by the addition of 1 to 300 moles of the above alkylene oxides to 1 mole of unsaturated polycarboxylic acid type monomers such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, and aconitic acid. In these monomers, preferred are ether type monomers having no ester bond which can easily be hydrolyzed.

In the above polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomers, the addition mole number of alkylene oxides is in the range of from 1 to 300 moles. The addition mole number may preferably be 3 moles or greater, more preferably 10 moles or greater, and still more preferably 20 moles or greater. This is because this polyalkylene glycol chain makes a contribution to the exhibition of a clay dispersing ability. However, if the polyalkylene glycol chain is too long, there is a tendency to reduce a clay dispersing ability. Therefore, the addition mole number of alkylene oxides may preferably be 100 moles or smaller, more preferably 75 moles or smaller. As the alkylene oxides, two or more kinds of oxides may be used in combination. When different kinds of alkylene oxides are used in combination to cause addition, the order of addition is not particularly limited, but the addition may be either of the random or of the block type. In the above alkylene oxides, preferred are ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. For other radical polymerizable monomers which may^¬ be added to the monomer components (I) comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer, unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (salts) and/or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (salts) are preferred from the viewpoint of their having a Ca ion trapping ability .

The term "unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (salts)" refers to carboxylic acids or salts thereof, the carboxylic acids having a radical polymerizable double bond (unsaturated bond) and a carboxyl group in one molecule. Preferred examples of the unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (salts) may include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-hydroxyacrylic acid, or salts thereof. Two or more kinds of these compounds may be used in combination. In these compounds, most preferred is acrylic acid (salt) . The term "unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (salts)" refers to carboxylic acids or salts thereof or anhydrides thereof, the carboxylic acids having a radical polymerizable double bond (unsaturated bond) and two carboxyl groups in one molecule. Specific examples of the unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (salts) may include maleic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, and citraconic acid. Two or more kinds of these compounds may be used in combination. In these compounds, preferred are maleic acid and an anhydride thereof.

The carboxyl groups of the above unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and/or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids may be either of the free or of the salt type. They may be either of the partial salt (i.e., some of the carboxyl groups are of the salt type) or of the all salt type. However, in view of the importance of a Ca ion trapping ability, the salts of Ca or Mg are not preferred. Therefore, if salts are formed, it is preferred to form salts with compounds containing alkaline metals such as Na and K; ammonia; organic amines such as monoethanolamine and triethanolamine ; and the like. The formation of salts may be carried out at any time, i.e., before polymerization, during polymerization, or after polymerization.

Examples of the other radical polymerizable monomers which can be added to the monomer components (I) comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer may include amide group containing monomers such as (meth) acrylamide and (meth) acrylacetylamide ; vinyl ethers such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl benzoate, and vinyl cinnamate; alkenes such as ethylene and propylene; aromatic vinyl type monomers such as styrene and styrenesulfonic acid; silicon containing vinyl type monomers such as vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane , and γ~ (meth) acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane ; maleimides such as maleimide, methylmaleimide , ethylmaleimide , propylmaleimide , butylmaleimide , octylmaleimide, dodecylmaleimide , stearylmaleimide , phenylmaleimide , and cyclohexylmaleimide ; nitriles such as (meth) acrylonitrile ; aldehyde group containing vinyl type monomers such as (meth) acrolein; sulfinic acid group containing monomers such as

2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (salt), (meth) allylsulfonic acid (salt), vinylsulfonic acid (salt), styrenesulfonic acid (salt), 2-hydroxy-3-butenesulfonic acid (salt), sulfoethyl (meth) acrylate ; hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylates such as hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate and hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate ; alkyl (meth) acrylates such as methyl (meth) acrylate and ethyl (meth) acrylate ; and vinyl ethers such as methyl vinyl ether and ethyl vinyl ether. In addition, the following monomers can also be used: chlorine containing monomers such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and allyl chloride; (meth) allyl alcohol; vinylpyrrolidone ; unsaturated alcohols such as 3-methyl-3-butene-l-ol , 3-methyl-2-butene-l-ol, 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol , and

3-methyl-2-butene-l-ol;

3- (meth) acryloxy-1, 2-dihydroxypropane;

3- (meth ) acryloxy-1, 2-di (poly) oxyethylene ether propane; 3- (meth ) acryloxy-1 , 2-di (poly) oxypropylene ether propane; 3- (meth) acryloxy-1 , 2-dihydroxypropane phosphate and salts thereof, or mono-or di-esters thereof with alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

3- (meth) acryloxy-1 , 2-dihydroxypropane sulfate and salts thereof, or esters thereof with alkyl groups having

1 to 4 carbon atoms; 3- (meth) acryloxy-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid and salts thereof, or esters thereof with alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

3- (meth ) acryloxy-2- (poly) oxyethylene ether propane sulfonic acid and salts thereof, or esters thereof with alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

3-allyloxypropane-l , 2-diol;

3-allyloxypropane-l , 2-diol phosphate;

3-allyloxypropane-l , 2-diol sulfonate; 3-allyloxypropane-l , 2-diol sulfate;

3-allyloxy-l , 2-di (poly) oxyethylene ether propane;

3-allyloxy-l, 2-di (poly) oxyethylene ether propane sulfonate; 3-allyloxy-l , 2-di (poly) oxypropylene ether propane; 3-allyloxy-l , 2-di (poly) oxypropylene ether propane phosphate; 3-allyloxy-l , 2-di (poly) propylene ether propane sulfonate; 6-allyloxyhexane-l, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5-pentaol; 6-allyloxyhexane-l, 2 , 3, 4 , 5-pentaol phosphate; 6-allyloxyhexane-l , 2 , 3, 4 , 5-pentaol sulfonate; 6-allyloxyhexane-l, 2, 3, 4, 5-penta (poly) oxyethylene ether hexane;

6-allyloxyhexane-l, 2, 3, 4, 5-penta (poly) oxypropylene ether hexane; 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid and salts thereof, or phosphate esters or sulfate esters of these compounds, and salts thereof;

3-allyloxy-2- (poly) oxyethylene propane sulfonic acid and salts thereof, or phosphate esters or sulfates esters of these compounds, and salts thereof; 3-allyloxy-2- (poly) oxypropylene propane sulfonic acid and salts thereof, or phosphate esters or sulfate esters of these compounds, and salts thereof; and the like.

In the monomer components (I) comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer, the amount of polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer may preferably be 10% by mass or greater, more preferably 25% by mass or greater, and still more preferably 40% bymass or greater, relative to 100% bymass of the monomer components (I) . This is because the introduction of a polyalkylene glycol chain in the water soluble polymer (A) can improve a clay dispersing ability. However, if the amount of polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer is too great, the clay dispersing ability may be reduced, and the Ca ion trapping ability may also be reduced because of a decrease in the amount of unsaturated carboxylic acid. Thus, such a case is not preferred. Therefore, the amount of polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer may preferably be 80% by mass or smaller, more preferably 65% by mass or smaller, and still more preferably 55% by mass or smaller.

For the purpose of providing the water soluble polymer (A) with a Ca ion trapping ability, the monomer components (I) may preferably comprise the above unsaturated carboxylic acid (salt) and/or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) . In this case, the amount of unsaturated carboxylic acid (salt) and/or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be in the range of from 20% to 90% by mass, more preferably of from 35% to 75% by mass, and still more preferably of from 45% to 60% by mass. That is, it is preferred to synthesize the water soluble polymer (A) from an unsaturated carboxylic acid (salt) (particularly, acrylic acid) and/or an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) (particularly, maleic acid (anhydride)) and a polyalkylene glycol chain containing monomer (particularly, an ether type monomer as described above) . When the above "other polymerizable monomers" are used, the amounts thereof may preferably be 50% by mass or smaller, more preferably 30% by mass or smaller, in order that the water solubility of the water soluble polymer (A) is not deteriorated.

The synthesis of the water soluble polymer (A) can be carried out using the above monomer components (I) by . any of the methods well known in the art. More specifically, it can be carried out by, for example, solution polymerization in a solvent such as water, an organic solvent, or a mixed solvent containing a water soluble organic solvent and water. The catalyst which can be used in the polymerization, although it is not particularly limited, may include persulfate salts and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can be used together with any of the promoters (e.g., hydrogensulfite salts, ascorbic acid) in combination . Besides, there can also be used azo type initiators, organic peroxides, and the like, all of which can be used together with any of the promoters such as amine compounds in combination. For the purpose of increasing the degradation efficiency of a polymerization initiator used, a multivalent metal ion may further be allowed to exist in the reaction system, if necessary. As the effective multivalent metal ion which can be used, preferred are Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, V²⁺, V³⁺, and VO²⁺, and particularly preferred are Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and VO²⁺. These multivalent metal ions may be used alone, or two or more kinds of these multivalent metal ions may also be used in combination. From the viewpoint of the polymerization reaction being allowed to progress advantageously, it is preferred to use, in addition to a polymerization initiator, hydrogen peroxide, a promoter, and one kind of or two or more kinds of metal ions. Specifically, preferred are the combined use system of a persulfate salt and a hydrogensulfite salt, the combined use system of a persulfate salt and a hydrogensulfite salt or a metal ion, the combined use system of a persulfate salt and hydrogen peroxide, the combined used system of a persulfate salt and hydrogen peroxide and a metal ion, and the like. In addition, as a molecular weight adjuster, a chain transfer agent, such as mercaptoethanol , mercaptopropionic acid, and sodium hypophosphite , may be used in combination.

The water soluble polymer (A) may preferably have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 2,000 to 100,000. This is because if the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is in such a range, the clay dispersing ability and the handling properties (e.g., compatibility, viscosity) become excellent . The lower limit of Mw may more preferably be 3,000, still more preferably 4,000. The upper limit of Mw may more preferably be 50,000, still more preferably 20,000. Another essential component of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention is a poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) . The poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) is a water soluble copolymer containing, as main constituent units, an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) . The poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) is synthesized from the monomer components (II) comprising an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) . The total amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be 80 mol% or greater, relative to 100 moll of the monomer components (II) . If the total amount of both monomers is smaller than 80 moll, the amount of carboxyl groups in the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) may become small, and therefore, the Ca ion trapping ability may become insufficient. Preferred is the greater total amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt), the lower limit of which may more preferably be 90 moll, and most preferred is a copolymer of both monomers . Inthis case, monomers which can be used as copolymerizable components in the range of from 0 to 20 moll may include "other radical polymerizable monomers" exemplified in the explanation of the synthesis of the above water soluble polymer (A) .

When the total amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) is set to 100 moll, the amount of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be in the range of from 20 to 70 moll. If the amount of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) is greater, the amount of carboxyl groups per unit mass of the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) can be made greater, and therefore, the Ca ion trapping ability can be improved. However, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (salts) are difficult to cause polymerization, and therefore, the amount of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be adjusted in the above range, in order to obtain the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) having a preferred molecular weight, which is described below. The lower limit of the amount of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may more preferably be 30 moll, still more preferably 40 moll. The upper limit of the amount of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt) may more preferably be 65 moll, still more preferably 60 moll. The amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be in the range of from 30 to 80 moll, relative to the above total amount of 100 moll . Thelower limit of the amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) may more preferably be 35 moll, still more preferably 40 moll. The upper limit of the amount of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) may preferably be 70 moll , still more preferably 60 moll .

The poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) of the present invention may preferably have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000 to 100,000. If Mw is in the above range, the excellent effects can be attained in that the Ca tapping ability and the clay dispersing ability can be made compatible at a high level. If Mw is greater than 100,000, the ability of dispersing various kinds of clay may be reduced, and the rate of dissolution in water may become low. If Mw is smaller than 1, 000, the Ca ion trapping ability may be reduced. The upper limit of Mw may more preferably be 50,000, still more preferably 30,000, and most preferably 20,000. The lower limit of Mw may more preferably be 3,000, still more preferably 5 , 000 , and most preferably 8, 000. When the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) is obtained by polymerization using the above monomer components (II), the aqueous solution polymerization method, which is well known in the art, can be used in the same manner as described for the above polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) . If a specific production process (filed in Japan as Japanese Patent Application No .2004-172918) found by the present applicant (or assignee) is employed, the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) having both an extremely good Ca ion trapping ability and an extremely good clay dispersing ability can be obtained. The above specific production process will be described below. In the description on the following production process, the unsaturated monocarboxylic acid (salt) may be referred simply as to "monomer (m) " in some cases; the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (salt), "monomer (d)"; and the poly ( carboxylic acid) typepolymer (B), "polymer

The above specific production process is classified in three types. The first process comprises carrying out polymerization using two or more kinds of polymerization initiators essentially containing hydrogen peroxide, in which the reaction temperature in the polymerization is set to not higher than 99°C and not lower than 80⁰C. The second process comprises carrying out polymerization using the molar ratio (d/m) of monomer (d) to monomer (m) set in the range of from 35/65 to 65/35 and using two or more kinds of initiators essentially containing hydrogen peroxide, in which the rate of neutralization of monomer (d) which has been fed before the addition of the polymerization initiators is set in the range of from 70 to 95 mol%, and the mass ratio (hydrogen peroxide/other initiators ) of hydrogen peroxide to other initiators in the polymerization initiators during the polymerization is set to 1.80 or greater, and/or, the rate of the addition of the above other initiators is set to 1.40 g/mole.h or smaller. The third process comprises carrying out polymeri zation using the molar ratio (d/m) of monomer (d) to monomer (m) set in the range of from 35/65 to 65/35 and using two or more kinds of polymerization initiators essentially containing hydrogen peroxide, in which the rate of neutralization of monomer (d) which has been fedbefore the addition of the polymerization initiators is set to 90 moll or greater and the mass ratio (hydrogen peroxide/other initiators) of hydrogen peroxide to other initiators in the polymerization initiators during the polymerization is set in the range of from 0.4 to 1.1. In any of these processes, monomer (m) may preferably be fed to a reaction vessel at an amount of 50% by mass or greater, more preferably of 70% by mass or greater, and still more preferably of 100% by mass, relative to the total amount to be used, by dropwise addition after the initiation of polymerization. If initially fed at an amount of greater than 50% by mass before reaction, the control of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution may become difficult because monomer (m) is extremely higher polymeri zable than monomer (d) . The time of dropwise addition may preferably be set in the range of from 30 to 300 minutes, more preferably of from 60 to 180 minutes, after the initiation of reaction. If monomer (m) is added dropwise in the above range of dropwise addition time, the resulting polymer (B) may preferably have a narrower molecular weight distribution and both an improved Ca ion trapping ability and an improved clay dispersing ability. For improving productivity, dropwise addition may preferably be carried out at a short time.

However, dropwise addition at shorter than 30 minutes may have the possibilities that the amount of monomer

(d) remaining after the completion of polymerization will be increased and a great amount of reaction heat will be discharged at a short time to make heat removal difficult. In contrast, dropwise addition at longer than 300 minutes may cause a reduction in productivity to bring disadvantage from the viewpoint of cost.

On the other hand, monomer (d) may preferably have been fed (have initially been fed) to the reaction ves sel before reaction (before the addition of polymerization initiators) at an amount of 50% by mass or greater, more preferably of 70% by mass or greater, and still more preferably of 100% by mass, relative to the total amount to be used. If the feed amount before reaction (the initial feed amount) is smaller than 50% by mass, the amount of monomer (d) remaining after the completion of polymerization may become increased. The, concentration of monomer (d) at the initiation of polymerization may preferably be 40% by mass, more preferably 45% by mass, and still more preferably 50% by mass. If the feed concentration is smaller than 40% by mass, the amount of monomer (d) remaining after the completion of polymerization may become increased. In the first process, the rate of neutralization of monomer (d) which has initially been fed before the addition of polymerization initiators is not particularly limited, whereas in the second process, the rate of neutralization of monomer (d) which has initially been fed may preferably be in the range of from 70 to 95 mol%, more preferably of from 72 to 93 moll, and still more preferably of from 75 to 90 mol%. If the above neutralization rate is smaller than 70 moll , monomer (d) may cause block polymerization, and therefore, there may be a reduction in the ability of dispersing various kinds of clay in hard water with a high hardness. In contrast, if the above neutralization rate is greater than 95 moll, the efficiency of introduction of monomer (d) may be decreased, and therefore, there may be a reduction in Ca ion trapping ability and detergency. In the third process, the rate of neutralization of monomer (d) which have initially been fed may preferably be 90 moll or greater, more preferably in the range of from 90 moll to 100 moll.

When other monomers, in addition to monomer (m) and monomer (d), are used in the polymerization, the initial feed amounts thereof, the dropwise addition amounts thereof, and the like can appropriately be set after the due consideration of the amounts of monomer

(m) and monomer (d) to be used and the polymerization reactivity of the above other monomers. For the other monomers, dropwise addition time can also appropriately be set, but the dropwise addition of the other monomers may preferably be completed earlier than the dropwise addition of monomer (m) .

In any of the above processes, homogenous polymerization under stirring in an aqueous solvent, although it is not particularly limited, may preferably be employed. The above homogeneous polymerization can be carried out using techniques and conditions well known in the art. The aqueous solvent to be used as a reaction solvent in the polymerization reaction may preferably be an aqueous solvent containing 80% by mass or greater of water , more preferably 100% by mass of water . Example of the hydrophilic organic solvent which can be used in combination with water as an aqueous solvent may include lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol; amides such as diethylformamide ; and ethers such as diethyl ether. These hydrophilic organic solvents may be used alone, or two or more kinds of these hydrophilic organic solvents may be used in combination .

In any of the above processes, the polymerization of monomer components is carried out in the presence of polymerization initiators by the addition of the polymerization initiators to the monomer components and the like which have been fed to a reaction vessel. For the polymerization initiators, water soluble polymerization initiators are used, and specifically, hydrogen peroxide is essentially used.

The addition (feed by dropwise addition) of the above hydrogen peroxide may preferably be completed 20 minutes or earlier than the completion of the dropwise addition of monomer (m) from the viewpoints of the simplification of production equipment, the reduction of cost, and the effect that the amount of hydrogen peroxide remaining at the completion of polymerization can be reduced. According to the above producing conditions, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide remaining at the completion of polymerization can preferably be reduced to 2% by mass or smaller, more preferably to 1% by mass or smaller, and still more preferably to 0.5% by mass or smaller, relative to the total amount of reaction liquid. In addition, the amount of monomer (d) remaining at the completion of polymerization can preferably be reduced to 3% by mass or smaller, more preferably to 1% by mass or smaller, relative to the total amount of reaction liquid. If the amount of remaining monomer (d) is greater than 3% by mass, there possibly arises a problem that the crystals of monomer (d) may be deposited in cold regions in winter, which is not preferred.

In any of the above processes, it is important that two or kinds of polymerization initiators essentially containing hydrogen peroxide as described above and further containing other water soluble polymerization initiators (other initiators) are used. The above hydrogen peroxide and other initiators may be used at the same time, or at least some of the respective initiators may be used at different times, both of which cases are not particularly limited.

Examples of the above other water soluble polymerization initiator may include persulfate salts such as ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, and potassium persulfate; azo compounds such as 2 , 2 ' -azobis ( 2-amidinopropane ) dihydrochloride, 4, 4 ' -azobis (4-cyanovaleric acid) , azobisisobutyronitrile , and 2, 2' -azobis (4 -methoxy-2 , 4-diemthylvaleronitrile ) ; and organic peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, peracetic acid, persuccinic acid, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and cumene hydroperoxide. Particularly preferred are persulfate salts such as ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, and potassium persulfate. These other water soluble polymerization initiators may be used alone, or two or more kinds of these other water soluble polymerization initiators may also be used in combination. With respect to the addition of these other water soluble polymerization initiators, the whole amount of them may preferably be fed to a reaction vessel by dropwise addition. The initiation time and completion time of dropwise addition can appropriately be set, but the dropwise addition may preferably be completed from 10 to 20 minutes after the completion of the dropwise addition of monomer (m) . Thus, the amount of remaining monomer (m) can extremely be decreased. In any of the above processes, the amount of hydrogen peroxide to be used, in the hydrogen peroxide and other initiators, which are used as polymerization initiators, is not particularly limited, and it can appropriately be set, but may preferably be set, for example, to 4 g/mole or smaller, more preferably to 3.5 g/mole or smaller, and still more preferably to 3 g/mole or smaller, by mass relative to the total amount of monomer components (II) used. The use of hydrogen peroxide in the above range of use amounts can provide the effect that polymer (B) can easily be obtained with high productivity . In contrast, the amount of hydrogen peroxide to be used is greater than 4g/mole, foaming at the polymerization may become drastic.

In the first process, the mass ratio (hydrogen peroxide/other initiators) of hydrogen peroxide to other initiators, all of which are to be used as polymerization initiators, and the rate of the addition of the above other initiators to be used as polymerization initiators are not particularly limited, but can appropriately be set.

On the other hand, in the second process, the mass ratio (hydrogen peroxide/other initiators ) of hydrogen peroxide to other initiators may preferably be set to 1.80 or greater, more preferably in the range of from 1.85 to 4.50, and still more preferably in the range of from 1.90 to 4.00. The use of polymerization initiators meeting the above range of mass ratio can provide the effects that the amount of monomer (d) remaining at the completion of polymerization reaction can be reduced, the polymer (B) of the present invention can easily be obtained with high productivity, and the like. In contrast, the above mass ratio is smaller than 1.80, the amount of remaining monomer (d) may become increased, particularly when the ratio of monomer (d) in the monomer components is high, and if the above mass ratio is too great, foaming at the polymerization may become drastic.

Moreover, in the second process, the rate of the addition of the above initiators other than hydrogen peroxide in the polymerization initiators to be used may preferably be set to 1.40 g/mole.h or smaller, more preferably to not greater than 1.38 g/mole.h and not smaller than 0.20 g/mole.h, and still more preferably to not greater than 1.35 g/mole.h and not smaller than 0.25 g/mole.h. The addition of the above other initiators so as to meet the above range of addition rate can provide the effects that the Ca ion trapping ability can be improved and the like. In contrast, if the above rate of addition is greater than 1.40 g/mole . h, the Ca trapping ability may be reduced, and if the above rate of addition is too small, the ability of dispersing various kinds of clay may be reduced.

In the third process, the rate of the addition of polymerization initiators can appropriately be set, but the mass ratio (hydrogen peroxide/other initiators) of hydrogen peroxide to other initiators may preferably be set in the range of from 0.4 to 1.1, more preferably of from 0.5 to 1.0, and still more preferably of from 0.6 to 0.9. If the above mass ratio is smaller than 0.4, the amount of remaining monomer (d) may become increased. In contrast, if the above mass ratio is greater than 1.1, foaming at the polymerization may become drastic.

In the second and the third processes, the reaction temperature in the polymerization of the above monomer components, although it is not particularly limited, may appropriately be set. However, in the first process, the reaction temperature of polymerization may preferably be not higher than 99°C and not lower than 80⁰C, more preferably not higher than 97°C and not lower than 82°C, and still more preferably not higher than 95°C and not lower than 85⁰C. The polymerization of monomer components under the conditions meeting the above range of reaction temperature can provide the effects that the polymer (B) of the present invention can easily be obtained with high productivity, foaming at the polymerization can be suppressed, and the like. In contrast, if the above reaction temperature is higher than 99°C, foaming at the polymerization may become drastic, and if the above reaction temperature is lower than 80⁰C, the amount of hydrogen peroxide remaining at the completion of polymerization may become increased .

In any of the above processes, for the purpose of increasing the degradation efficiency of polymerization initiators used, a multivalent metal ion may further be allowed to exist in the reaction system, if necessary. As the effective multivalent metal ion which can be used, preferred are Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, V²⁺, V³⁺, and VO²⁺, and particularly preferred are Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and VO²⁺. These multivalent metal ions may be used alone, or two or more kinds of these multivalent metal ions may also be used in combination. The concentration of multivalent metal ion may preferably be in the range of from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm, relative to the total amount of polymerization reaction liquid. If the concentration of multivalent metal ion is smaller than 0.1 ppm, the multivalent metal ion has almost no effects. In contrast, if the multivalent metal ion is used at an amount of greater than 100 ppm, the resulting polymer

(B) may cause much coloration, and therefore, it cannot be used for applications such as detergent compositions .

The form of feeding a multivalent metal ion, although it is not particularly limited, may be the addition of a metal compound or a metal, both of which are changed into an ion in the polymerization reaction system. Examples of such a metal compound or a metal may include water soluble metal salts such as vanadium oxytrichloride, vanadium trichloride, vanadium oxalate, vanadium sulfate, vanadic anhydrate , ammonium metavanadate , ammonium sulfate hypovanadas [ (NH₄ ) ₂SO₄. VSO₄.6H₂O] , ammonium sulfate vanadas [ (NH₄) ₂V(SO₄) ₂.12H₂O] , copper (II) acetate, copper (II) bromide, copper (II) acetylacetate, cupric chloride, copper ammonium chloride , copper carbonate, copper (II) chloride, copper (II) citrate, copper (II) formate, copper (II) hydroxide, copper nitrate, copper naphthenate, copper (II) oleate, copper maleate , copper phosphate, copper (II) sulfate, cuprous chloride, copper (I) cyanide, copper iodide, copper (I) oxide, copper thiocyanate, iron acetylacetonato , iron ammonium citrate, ferric ammonium oxalate, ferrous ammonium sulfate, ferric ammonium sulfate, iron citrate, iron fumarate, iron maleate, ferrous lactate, ferric nitrate, iron pentacarbonyl , ferric phosphate, and ferric pyrophosphate; metal oxides such as vanadium pentoxide, copper (II) oxide, ferrous oxide, and ferric oxide; metal sulfides such as copper (II) sulfide and ironsulfide; andbesides, copper powder and iron powder . The feed of such a metal compound or a metal to a reaction vessel may be at any time, so long as it is carried out until the reaction is completed, but such a metal compound or a metal may preferably be fed to a reaction vessel before the initiation of reaction. In any of the above processes, the pH of a reaction liquid at the polymerization reaction may appropriately be set. However, for the purpose of increasing the polymerizability of monomer (d) , thepHat theinitiation of polymerization may preferably be set in the range of from 5 to 13, and the pH may more preferably be decreased with the progress of polymerization reaction. Examples of the basic compound for neutralization to be used for pH control during the polymerization reaction may include hydroxides and carbonates of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium; ammonia; alkylamines such as monomethylamine , diethylamine , trimethylamine , monoethylamine, dimethylamine , and triethylamine ; alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine , diethanolamine , triethanolamine, isopropanolamine , and sec-butanolamine ; and pyridine. These basic compounds may be used alone, or two or more kinds of these basic compounds may also be used in combination.

In any of the above processes, the monomer components, polymerization initiators, an aqueous solvent, and other various starting materials which are used, if necessary, may preferably be used at amounts of them to be used so that the theoretical solid content concentration after the completion of polymerization may become 40% by mass or greater. If the theoretical solid content concentration is smaller than 40% by mass, the resulting polymer (B) may have a wide molecular weight distribution, and therefore, the Ca ion trapping ability and the clay dispersing ability may adversely be affected. The pressure at the polymerization reaction is not particularly limited, but any of the ordinary pressure (atmospheric pressure), increased pressure, and reduced pressure may appropriately be selected .

The above-described is the specific process for producing the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-172918.

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention comprises the above polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and the above poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) . The combined use of both is due to the fact that there has been found a synergistic effect that a higher clay dispersing ability can be attained in comparison with the respective clay dispersing abilities attained by the single use of them.

In view of a Ca ion trapping ability and a clay dispersing ability, the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) may preferably be mixed so that the amount of the former falls within the range of from 5% by mass to 35% by mass and the amount of the latter falls within the range of from 95% by mass to 65% by mass, when the total amount of both is regarded as 100% by mass. This is because if the amount of polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) is smaller (or the amount of poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) is greater) , the clay dispersing ability may have a tendency to become reduced, and in the reverse case, the Ca ion trapping ability may be reduced. The lower limit of the amount of water soluble polymer (A) may more preferably be 7% by mass, still more preferably 9% by mass, and the upper limit of the amount of water soluble polymer (A) may more preferably be 30% by mass, still more preferably 20% by mass. The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention has a Ca ion trapping ability of 300 mg CaCOs/g or higher. The possession of such a high Ca ion tapping ability makes it possible to exhibit excellent performance as , for example, a chelating agent of detergent builders. The Ca ion trapping ability may more preferably be 330 mg CaCOs/g or higher, still more preferably 360 mg CaCO3/g or higher, and particularly preferably 390 mg CaCO₃/g or higher. The method for the measurement of a Ca ion trapping ability, although it will be described below in detail, may be carried out by adding a precisely weighed poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer to an aqueous solution having a prescribed Ca ion concentration to allow the polymer to trap Ca ions, and then determining the concentration of Ca ions remaining in the aqueous solution through titration or the like, and calculating a decrease in the Ca ion concentration. In the present invention, the Ca ion trapping ability is expressed by the number of rag in terms of calcium carbonate as the amount of Ca ions trapped per g (solid content) of the water soluble polymer composition.

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention has an excellent clay dispersing ability in hard water with a high hardness. The clay dispersing ability is an index for the evaluation of the effect that clay-soil stain and the like can be taken off clothes at the washing, stably dispersed in water, and then removed together with water at the rinse, and has an influence on the detergency. The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention exhibits a high clay dispersing ability even in hard water with a high hardness and has a clay dispersing ability of 0.5 or higher at a hardness of 100 ppm. The clay dispersing ability at a hardness of 100 ppm refers to a clay dispersing ability in a test solution having a calcium concentration of 100 ppm in terms of calcium carbonate. The method for measuring a clay dispersing ability will be described in detail in Examples. The clay dispersibility at a hardness of 100 ppm may more preferably be 0.6 or higher, still more preferably 0.7 or higher.

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention is preferably suitable as a detergent builder. Moreover, a detergent composition containing the detergent builder of the present invention mixed thereinto becomes the detergent composition of the present invention. Further, the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention can be used for a wide range of applications such as dispersants, flocculants, scale inhibitors , chelating agents , water treating agents, and fiber treating agents. In particular, the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention can preferably be used for detergent compositions, dispersing agents, and water treating agents.

The detergent composition of the present invention comprises the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention. In the detergent composition of the present invention, the amount of the water soluble polymer composition to be mixed may preferably be in the range of from 0.1% by mass to 20% by mass, more preferably of from 0.5% by mass to 15% by mass , relative to the total amount of the detergent composition, and the amount of surfactant to be mixed may preferably be in the range of from 5% by mass to 70% by mass, more preferably of from 20% by mass to 60% by mass, relative to the total amount of the detergent composition.

In the production of the above detergent composition, it is desired to separately prepare (a) an aqueous solution which contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and does not contain the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and (b) an aqueous solution which does not contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and contains the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B); and then mix the aqueous solution (a) , the aqueous solution (b) , and other ingredients necessary for the detergent composition. This is because if an aqueous solution of the water soluble polymer (A) and an aqueous solution of the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) have preliminarily been mixed with each other, the mixture may cause phase separation, for example, when it has a high solid content, in which case handling may become difficult. Therefore, it is preferred to separately prepare the aqueous solution (a) and the aqueous solution

(b) each having a solid content concentration of 30% by mass or higher (more preferably in the range of from about 40% by mass to about 50% by mass) and then mixing these solutions after dilution or the like, if necessary, at the step of producing a detergent composition. Alternatively, either or both of the above water soluble polymer (A) and the above poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) may be made in a form of powder, which is used for the production of a detergent composition. For the above surfactant, there can be used any one kind or two ormore kinds of anionic type surfactants, nonionic type surfactants, cationic type surfactants, and amphoteric type surfactants. Specific examples of the anionic type surfactant may include alkylbenzene sulfonate salts, alkyl or alkenyl ether sulfate salts, alkyl- or alkenyl-sulfate salts, α-olefin sulfonate salts, α-sulfo fatty acid or ester salts, alkane sulfonate salts, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid salts, alkyl or alkenyl ether carboxylate salts, amino acid type surfactants, N-acylamino acid type surfactants, and alkyl or alkenyl phosphate esters or salts thereof. These anionic type surfactants may have an alkyl chain (s) or an alkenyl chain(s) , both of which are branched with an additional alkyl group (s) such as a methyl group.

Specific examples of the nonionic type surfactant may include polyoxyalkylene alkyl or alkenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, higher fatty acid alkanolamides or alkylene oxide adducts thereof, sucrose fatty acid esters, alkyl glycoxides, fatty acid glycerin monoesters, and alkylamine oxides. These nonionic type surfactants may have an alkyl group (s) or an alkenyl group (s), both of which are branched at an intermediate position with an alkyl group (s) such as a methyl group.

Specific examples of the cationic type surfactant may include quaternary ammonium salts. Specific examples of the amphoteric type surfactant may include those of the betaine type, the glycine type, the alanine type, and the sulfobetaine type. These cationic type surfactants and the amphoteric type surfactants may have an alkyl group (s) or an alkenyl group (s) , both of which are branched at an intermediate position with an alkyl group (s) such as a methyl group.

In a detergent composition containing the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, an enzyme may be mixed, if necessary. Examples of the enzyme to be mixed may include proteases, lipases, and cellulases. Particularly preferred are proteases, alkali lipases , and alkali cellulases , all of which have a high activity in an alkaline washing liquid. The amount of enzyme to be mixed may preferably be in the range of from 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, relative to the total amount of the detergent composition. If the amount of enzyme to be mixed is outside this range, the balance of the surfactant and the enzyme may be lowered, so that detergency cannot be improved.

In a detergent composition containing the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, there may be further mixed, if necessary, various ingredients ordinarily used in detergent compositions, for example, well-known alkaline builders, chelating builders, anti-redeposition agents, soil release agents, dye transfer inhibitors, softeners, fluorescent agents, breaching agents, breaching assistants, and fragrances. In addition, zeolites may be mixed in the detergent composition.

For an alkaline builder (s), there can be used silicate salts, carbonate salts, sulfate salts, and the like. For a chelating builder (s) , there can be used, if necessary, diglycol acid, oxycarboxylate salt s , EDTA ( ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid), DTPA ( diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid), citric acid, and the like.

The dispersing agent of the present invention may be, for example, an inorganic pigment dispersing agent or the like, and may either be composed only of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention or contain a well-known water soluble polymer ( s ) as other additives in such a range that it has (or they have) no adverse influences on both the performances and the effects. For other additives, there can be used, for example , polymerized phosphoric acid and salts thereof, phosphonic acid and salts thereof, and polyvinyl alcohol. When the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention is used in a dispersing agent, the amount of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention to be contained in a dispersing agent is not particularly limited, but may preferably be in the range of from 5% by mass to 100% by mass. In any case, the dispersing agent of the present invention can exhibit good performance as a dispersing agent for inorganic pigments such as heavy or light calcium carbonate and clay, which are used for paper coating. If a small amount of the dispersing agent containing the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention is added to an inorganic pigment and the resulting mixture is then dispersed in water, there can be produced a high concentration inorganic pigment slurry having a low viscosity and a high fluidity and having a good stability with time of these performances, such as a high concentration calcium carbonate slurry. When the dispersing agent of the present invention is used as an inorganic pigment dispersing agent , the amount of it to be used may preferably be in the range of from 0.05 parts by mass to 2.0 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts of an inorganic pigment. If the amount of inorganic pigment dispersing agent to be used is smaller than 0.05 parts by mass, sufficient dispersing effects cannot be attained. In contrast, if the amount of inorganic pigment dispersing agent is greater than 2.0 parts by mass, no effects commensurate with the amount of it to be added can be attained anymore, and it becomes disadvantageous from an economical point of view.

Thus, these cases falling outside the above range are not preferred.

The water treating agent of the present invention may be composed only of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, or may also be made into a composition further containing a polymeri zed phosphate salt(s), a phosphonate salt(s), an anticorrosive (s) , a slime control agent (s) , a chelating agent (s), and the like, which are mixed therein. The water treating agent of the present invention may contain well-known water soluble polymers in such a range that it has (or they have) no adverse influences on both the performances and the effects. In any case, the water treating agent of the present invention is useful for scale prevention in cooling water circulating systems, boiler water circulating systems, seawater desalination plants, pulp cookers, black liquor concentrators, and the like.

The fiber treating agent of the present invention may preferably contain, in addition to the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, at least one selected from the group consisting of coloring agents, peroxides, and surfactants. When the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention is used in a fiber treating agent, the amount of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention to be contained in the fiber treating agent, although it is not particularly limited, may preferably be in the range of from 1% by mass to 100% by mass, more preferably of from 5% bymass to 100% bymass. The fiber treating agent of the present invention may contain a well-known water soluble polymer (s) in such a range that it has (or they have) no adverse influences on both the performances and the effects. However, in view of physical properties, most preferred is a fiber treating agent, the polymer ingredient of which is composed only of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention .

The fiber treating agent can be used at the steps of refining, coloring, breaching, and soaping in the fiber treatment. Examples of the coloring agent, the peroxide, and the surfactant may include those which are usually used in fiber treating agents. The ratio of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention to at least one selected from the group consisting of coloring agents, peroxides, and surfactants may preferably be such that at least one selected from the group consisting of coloring agents, peroxides, and surfactants is mixed at a ratio of from 0.1 parts by mass to 100 parts by mass per part by mass of the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, for example, for the purpose of improving fiberwhiteness, preventing coloration irregularities, and improving color fastness. The use of a fiber treating agent prepared at such a ratio in a form of an aqueous solution having a prescribed concentration is one of the preferred examples of using the fiber treating agent of the present invention. The prescribed concentration, although it is not particularly limit, can appropriately be determined according to the type of usage and the purpose of use. The fibers for which the fiber treating agent of the present invention can be used, although they are not particularly limited, may include cellulose type fibers such as cotton and linen; chemical fibers such as nylon and polyester; animal fibers such as wool and silk; semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon; as well as woven fabrics and blended fabrics of these fibers. When the fiber treating gent of the present invention is applied at the refining step, it may preferably contain the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, an alkaline agent (s) , and a surfactant (s) . When the fiber treating agent of the present invention is applied at the breaching step, it may preferably contain the water soluble polymer composition of the present invention, a peroxide (s), and a silicic acid type agent (s) such as sodium silicate, as a degradation inhibitor (s) for an alkaline breaching agent (s) . Examples The present invention will be further described below by reference to Examples and Comparative Examples ; however, the present invention is not limited to these Examples. Unless otherwise indicated, the symbol ^λΛ % " refers to "% by mass". The methods for the measurement of various characteristics in Examples and Comparative Examples are as follows:

The measurement was carried out under the following conditions using GPC (gel permeation chromatography) . Column: Asahipak GF310-HQ, GF710-HQ, and GF-IG 7B (all available from Showa Denko K.K.);

Column temperature: 40⁰C;

Eluent: an aqueous solution obtained by adding 27.2 g of sodium acetate (special grade chemical; all the reagents used for various measurements as described below are special grade chemicals) to 1981.1 g of pure water, followed by mixing; filtering the mixture through a membrane filter having a filter pore diameter of 0.45 μm; and further adding 669.4 g of acetonitrile, followed by mixing;

Detector system: RI;

Flow rate: 0.5 mL/min.; and

Calibration curve: obtained using the polyacrylic acid standard sample (available from Sowa Science Corporation) .

The measurement was carried out under the following conditions using GPC (gel permeation chromatography) .

Column : GF7-MHQ (available from Showa Denko K. K. ) ;

Column temperature: 35°C;

Eluent: an aqueous solution obtained by adding pure water to 34.5 g of disodium hydrogenphosphate dodecahydrate and 46.2 g of sodium dihydrogenphosphate dihydrate, so that the total amount became 5,000 g; and then filtering the solution through a membrane filter having a filter pore diameter of 0.45 μm;

Detector system: UV at 214 nm (Nihon Waters K. K. ) ; Flow rate: 0.5 mL/min.; and

<Methodfor measurement of Ca ion trapping ability> First, a Ca ion standard solution for calibration curve was prepared. Calcium chloride dihydrate was used as a Ca ion source. Aqueous solutions having concentrations of 0.01, 0.002, 0.001, and 0.0001 mole/L were prepared in an amount of 50 mL each. These aqueous solutions were adjusted to a pH of 10 ± 0.5 with a 1% NaOH aqueous solution. Furthermore, 1 mL of a 4 mole/L potassium chloride aqueous solution (hereinafter abbreviated as the 4M KCL aqueous solution) was added to each of these aqueous solutions, followed by sufficiently stirring with a magnetic stirrer, to prepare sample solutions for calibration curve. A Ca ion electrode ("93-20", available from Orion Corporation) and a reference electrode ("90-01", available from Orion Corporation) were set to an ion analyzer (model number "EA920", available from Orion Corporation) , and the sample solutions for calibration curve were titrated to prepare a calibration curve. Separately, calcium chloride dihydrate was used in the same manner for the preparation of a Ca ion standard solution for test, and a necessary amount (50 g per sample) of a 0.002 mole /L aqueous solution was prepared. Then, 10 mg of a polymer sample weighed in terms of solid content and 50 inL of the above Ca ion standard solution for test were put into a 100 cc beaker, followed by sufficiently stirring with a magnetic stirrer. A 1% NaOH aqueous solution was added thereto to adjust the pH to 10 ± 0.5, to which 1 mL of a 4M KCl solution was added, followed by further stirring, to prepare a test solution. After a lapse of 3 minutes from the time when the polymer sample and the Ca ion standard solution for test were put into the beaker, the amount of Ca ions in the test solution was determined with the ion analyzer in the same manner as described above.

The Ca ion concentration in the test solution was found from the calibration curve. Accordingly, a difference between the resulting concentration and the initial value (0.002 mole/L) was obtained from calculation, and the trapping amount per gram of solid content in the copolymer was calculated. This value was represented by the number of milligrams in terms of calcium carbonate, and defined as the Ca ion trapping ability value (in mgCaCOa/g).

Ion exchange water was added to 67.56 g of glycine, 52.6 g of sodium chloride, and 60 mL of a IN NaOH aqueous solution to prepare 600 g of a solution (hereinafter referred to as buffer (1) ) . To 60 g of buffer (1) was added 0.1634 g of calcium chloride dihydrate, to which ion exchange water was added, to prepare 1,000 g of a solution (hereinafter referred to as buffer (2) ) .

Separately, a 0.1% solution of a polymer sample in water, having a pH of 7, was prepared.

Into a test tube (available from Iwaki Glass Co., Ltd.; having a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 180 mm) was put 0.3 g of a clay ( available from the Association of Powder Process Industry and Engineering, Japan; 11 species type testing powder 1 in JIS Z8901), to which 27 g of buffer (2) and 3 g of the 0.1% aqueous solution of the polymer sample were added. At this time, the Ca ion concentration of the test solution was 100 ppm in terms of calcium carbonate. The test tube was sealed with a paraffin film, and then shaken softly to cause the clay to be dispersed into the whole of the solution. Thereafter, the tube was shaken up and down 20 times. This test tube was allowed to stand still at a spot where no direct sunlight was received for 20 hours, and 5 rαL of a supernatant was taken out from the test solution. The absorbance (ABS) of the supernatant was measured with a UV spectrometer ("UV-1200", available from Shimadzu Corporation; using a 1 cm cell at a wavelength of 380 nπ) . This absorbance was defined as the clay dispersing ability at a hardness of 100 ppm. <Anti-redeposition ratio> Cotton cloth according to JIS L0803 was cut into pieces of 5 cm x 5 cm. The pieces were used each as white cloth. The white cloth was preliminarily measured for whiteness in terms of reflectivity with a colorimetric color difference meter (model Number "SE 2000", available from Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. ) .

Pure water was added to 2.21 g of calcium chloride dihydrate to prepare 15 kg of hard water. A tergot meter was set to a temperature of 25°C. Into a pot of the tergot meter was put 1 L of the hard water and 1 g of a clay (11 species type testing powder 1 in JIS Z8901) , followed by stirring at 100 rpm for 1 minute.

Into the pot were put 5 g of a sodium carbonate aqueous solution (having a concentration of 6.0%), 5 g of a sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate aqueous solution (having a concentration of 6.0%), 0.20 g of zeolite, 5 g of the polymer aqueous solution (having a concentration of 0.6%) , and seven out of the above white cloth pieces, followed by stirring at 100 rpm for 10 minutes. The white cloth pieces were taken out from the pot, and water content was removed from the white cloth pieces by wringing with hands. Newly, 1 L of the hard water was put into the pot, and the white cloth pieces from which the water content was removed were put into the pot, followed by stirring at 100 rpm for 2 minutes. The white cloth pieces were taken out from the pot, and water content was removed from the white cloth pieces by wringing with hands. Thereafter, a cloth piece was placed on each of the white cloth pieces, which was dried with an iron, while being smoothed out. The dried white cloth pieces were measured for whiteness in terms of reflectivity with the colorimetric color difference meter. From the values measured by this method and the following equation, the anti-redeposition ratio (%) was determined:

Anti-deposition ratio (%) = 100 x (whiteness of white cloth pieces after washing) / (whiteness of white cloth pieces before washing)

Synthesis Example 1 A separable flask having a volume of 2.5 liters, made of SUS, and equipped with a thermometer, a stirrer, and a reflux condenser, was charged with 110.0 g of ion exchange water (hereinafter referred as pure water), and the pure water in the flask was heated into a reflux state at the boiling point under stirring.

Then, different dropping nozzles were used to start the dropping of the following materials into the flask, while the reflux state was kept under stirring: 135.0 g of an 80% acrylic acid aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as 80% AA) , 301.1 g of a 50% aqueous solution of a compound obtained by the addition of 50 moles of ethylene oxide to allyl alcohol (the compound being hereinafter referred to as PEA-50 ) (the aqueous solution being hereinafter referred to as 50% PEA-50), 98.0 g of melted maleic anhydride (maleic anhydride being hereinafter referred to as MA anhydride), 50.0 g of a 48% NaOH aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as 48% NaOH), 44.0 g of a 35% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as 35% H2O2) , and 68.4 g of a 15% sodium persulfate aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as 15% NaPS) . The total amount of 80% AA was continuously dropped over 180 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of each of 50% PEA-50, melted MA anhydride, 48% NaOH, and 35% H₂O₂ was continuously dropped over 60 minutes from the start of polymerization. The total amount of the 15% NaPS was continuously dropped over 200 minutes from the start of polymerization. After the completion of the dropping of all the materials, the resulting mixture was ripened for 60 minutes, while being refluxed at the boiling point. Thereafter, the resulting mixture was cooled to 90⁰C, the pH of which was then adjusted to 7.5 with 48 % NaOH . Furthermore, the mixture was ripened at 9O⁰C for 60 minutes to complete the polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-I) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained.

Synthesis Example 2

Polymerization, pH adj ustment , and concentration adjustment were carried out in the same manner as described in Synthesis Example 1, except that the amount of pure water to be initially placed in the flask was 150.0 g, and 299.9 g of a 50% aqueous solution of a compound obtained by the addition of 50 moles of ethylene oxide to 3-methyl-3-butene-l-ol (the compound being hereinafter referred to IPN-50) (the aqueous solution being hereinafter referred to as 50% IPN-50) was used instead of 50% PEA-50. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-2) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained.

Synthesis Example 3 Polymerization, pH adjustment, and concentration adjustment were carried out in the same manner as described in Synthesis Example 1, except that the amount of pure water to be initially placed in the flask was 335.0 g, 248.9 g of a 60% aqueous solution of a compound obtained by the addition of 25 moles of ethylene oxide to ally alcohol (the compound being hereinafter referred to as PEA-25) (the aqueous solution being hereinafter referred to as 60% PEA-25) was used instead of 50% PEA-50, and 15% NaPS was used in an amount of 70.1 g. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-3) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained.

Synthesis Example 4

Dropping into a flask was started in the same manner as described in Synthesis Example 1, except that the amount of pure water to be initially placed in the flask was 150.0 g, 119.9 g of an 80% aqueous solution of a compound obtained by the addition of 10 moles of ethylene oxide to ally alcohol (the compound being hereinafter referred to as PEA-10) (the aqueous solution being hereinafter referred to as 80% PEA-10) was used instead of 50% PEA-50, and 15% NaPS was used in an amount of 107.6 g. The total amount of 80% AA was continuously dropped over 120 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of each of 80% PEA-10, melted MA anhydride, 48% NaOH, and 35% H₂O₂ was continuously dropped over 60 minutes from the start of polymerization . The total amount of 15% NaPS was continuously dropped over 140 minutes from the start of polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, ripening, pH adjustment, and concentration adjustment were carried out in the same manner as described in Synthesis Example 1. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-4) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained. Synthesis Example 5

The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 145.0 g of pure water. The temperature of the pure water was raised to 90⁰C under stirring. Then, the following materials were dropped from different dropping nozzles into the flask, while the temperature was kept at 90⁰C under stirring: 270.0 g of 80% AA; 168.0 g of 50% IPN-50; 12.5 g of 48% NaOH; 81.0 g of 15% NaPS; and 69.4 g of a 35% sodium disulfate agueous solution (hereinafter referred to as 35% SBS) . The total amount of each of 80% AA, 48% NaOH, and 35% SBS was continuously dropped over 180 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of 50% IPN-50 was continuously dropped over 120 minutes from the start of polymerization. The total amount of 15% NaPS was continuously dropped over 210 minutes from the start of polymerization. After the dropping of all the materials, the temperature of the system was kept at 90⁰C over 30 minutes, and the polymerization was then completed. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-5) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained. Synthesis Example 6

The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 255.0 g of pure water. The temperature of the pure water was raised to 90⁰C under stirring. Then, the dropping of the following materials was started from different dropping nozzles into the flask, while the temperature was kept at 90⁰C under stirring: 342.0 g of 80% AA, 131.5 g of an 80% aqueous solution of a compound obtained by the addition of 10 moles of ethylene oxide to 3-methyl-3-butene-l-ol (the compound being hereinafter referred to as IPN-10) (the aqueous solution being hereinafter referred to as 80% IPN-IO), 15.8 g of 48% NaOH, 106.7 g of 15% NaPS, and 91.4 g of 35% SBS. Thereafter, dropping, polymerization, pH adjustment, and concentration adjustment were carried out in the same manner as described in Synthesis Example 5. Thus, polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A-6) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained. Synthesis Example 7 The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 132.8 g of pure water, 400.0 g of 48% NaOH, and 235.2 g of MA anhydride. This aqueous solution was heated into a reflux state at the boiling point under stirring. The neutralization ratio of the MA initially mixed in the aqueous solution was 100% by mole .

Then, the following materials were dropped from different dropping nozzles, while the reflux state was kept under stirring: 216.0 g of 80% AA, 57.6 g of 35% H₂O₂, 96.0 g of 15% NaPS, and 160.0 g of pure water. The amounts of H₂O₂ and NaPS used as polymerization initiators were 4.2 g/mole and 3 g/mole, respectively. The ratio of H₂O₂/NaPS was 1.40, and the ratio of MA/AA was 50/50. At the time of the dropping, the total amount of 80% AA was continuously dropped over 180 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of 35% H₂O₂ was continuously dropped over 50 minutes from the start of polymerization. The total amount of each of 15% NaPS and pure water was continuously dropped over 100 minutes from 90 minutes to 190 minutes after the start of polymerization. At this time, the dropping rate (addition rate) of 15% NaPS was 1.80 g/mole.h. After the dropping of all the materials , the reflux state at the boiling point was kept over 30 minutes to complete the polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B-I) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 45% was obtained. Synthesis Example 8

The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 70.6 g of pure water, 255.0 g of 48% NaOH, and 176.4 g of MA anhydride . This solution was heated into a reflux state at the boiling point under stirring. The neutralization ratio of MA initially mixed in the aqueous solution was 85 mol%.

Then, the following materials were dropped from different dropping nozzles, while the reflux state was kept under stirring: 198.0 g of 80% AA, 45.7 g of 35% H₂O₂, 80.0 g of 15% NaPS, and 131.8 g of pure water. The amounts of H₂O₂ and NaPS used as polymerization initiators were 4.0 g/mole and 3.0 g/mole, respectively. The ratio of H₂O₂/NaPS was 1.33, and the ratio of MA/AA was 45/55. At the time of the dropping, the total amount of 80% AA was continuously dropped over 120 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of each of 35% H₂O₂ and pure water was continuously dropped over 50 minutes from the start of polymerization. The total amount of 15% NaPS was continuously dropped over 130 minutes from the start of polymerization. At this time, the dropping rate (addition rate) of 15% NaPS was 1.38 g/mole . h .

After the dropping of all the materials, the reflux state at the boiling point was kept over 20 minutes to complete the polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment, and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B-2) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 45% was obtained. Synthesis Example 9

The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 107.9 g of pure water, 325.0 g of 48% NaOH, and 191.1 g of MA anhydride . This solution was heated into a reflux state at the boiling point under stirring. The neutralization ratio of MA initially mixed in the aqueous solution was 100 mol% .

Then, the following materials were dropped from different dropping nozzles, while the reflux state was kept under stirring: 274.5 g of 80% AA, 21.4 g of 35% H₂O₂, 100.0 g of 15% NaPS, and 181.6 g of pure water. The amounts of H₂O₂ and NaPS used as polymerization initiators were 1.5 g/mole and 3.0 g/mole , respectively. The ratio of H₂O₂/NaPS was 0.50, and the ratio of MA/AA was 39/61. At the time of the dropping, the total amount of each of 80% AA, 35% H₂O₂, and pure water was continuously dropped over 120 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of 15% NaPS was continuously dropped over 130 minutes from the start of polymerization. At this time, the dropping rate (addition rate) of 15% NaPS was 1.38 g/mole. h.

After the dropping of all the materials, the reflux state at the boiling point was kept over 50 minutes to complete the polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B-3) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 45% was obtained. Synthesis Example 10 The same flask as used in Synthesis Example 1 was initially charged with 83.0 g of pure water, 250.0 g of 48% NaOH, and 147.0 g of MA anhydride . This solution was heated into a reflux state at the boiling point under stirring. The neutralization ratio of MA initially- mixed in the aqueous solution was 100 moll. Then, the following materials were dropped from different dropping nozzles, while the reflux state was kept under stirring: 315.0 g of 80% AA, 66.7 g of 15% NaPS, and 393.3 g of pure water. The amount of NaPS used as a polymerization initiator was 2 g/mole. The ratio of H₂O₂/NaPS was 0, and the ratio of MA/AA was 30/70. At the time of the dropping, the total amount of 80% AA was continuously dropped over 120 minutes from the start of polymerization, and the total amount of each of 15% NaPS and pure water was continuously dropped over 130 minutes from the start of polymerization. At this time, the dropping rate (addition rate) of 15% NaPS was 0.92 g/mole. h.

After the dropping of all the materials, the reflux state at the boiling point was kept over 30 minutes to complete the polymerization. After the completion of polymerization, pH adjustment and concentration adjustment were carried out. Thus, poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B-4) having a pH of 7.5 and a solid content of 40% was obtained. Experiment Example 1 With respect to polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymers (A-I) to (A-6) and poly (carboxylic acid) type polymers (B-I) to (B-4) obtained in the respective Synthesis Examples described above, the compositions and the weight average molecular weights are shown in Table 1. Powders obtained by drying these polymers were uniformly mixed in mortars at mass ratios shown in Table 2 to prepare water soluble polymer compositions, which were evaluated for Ca ion trapping ability and clay dispersing ability by the above-described methods. The results are shown in

Table 2.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Polymer (A) : polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer Polymer (B) : poly(carboxylic acid) type polymer Comparative Examples 1 to 7 were examples in which the respective polymers were used alone, and the amounts of the polymers used for the evaluation of Ca ion trapping ability and clay dispersing ability were set to the same amounts as used in the corresponding Examples in which the respective polymers were used in combination. Therefore, for example, in comparison with Example 1, Comparative Example 7 exhibited a lowered Ca ion trapping ability. Ca ion trapping ability is approximately in linear proportion to the amount of carboxyl groups in a polymer; therefore, Example 1 in which 10% by mass of polymer A-I (Ca ion trapping ability becomes 10% of that of Comparative Example 1, i.e., 19.4 mgCaCO₃/g) was mixed with 90% by mass of polymer B-I (Ca ion trapping ability becomes 90% of that of Comparative Example 7, i.e., 414 mgCaCO3/g) had a Ca ion trapping ability of 432 mgCaCO_s/g, which is slightly lower than that of the case where polymer B-I was only used (100% by mass; Comparative Example 7; 460 mgCaCOs/g) . However, with respect to clay dispersing ability, Example 1 in which 10% by mass of polymer A-I (0.06, if clay dispersing ability becomes 10% of that of Comparative Example 1) was mixed with 90% by mass of polymer B-I (0.36, if clay dispersing ability becomes 90% of that of Comparative Example 7) had a clay dispersing ability of 0.51, which is greater than the total of the respective prorated clay dispersing ability values of both (i.e., 0.06 + 0.36 = 0.42) . Thus, it can be seen that synergetic effect was exhibited. This tendency was observed in all of Examples. There are some Examples (e.g., Example 2) in which clay dispersing ability was improved in comparison with the cases where polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) were used alone . Therefore, it can be confirmed that the combined use of polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) having no polyalkylene glycol chain can make Ca ion trapping ability and clay dispersing ability compatible at a high level.

Experiment Example 2

Powder of polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and powder of poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) were uniformly mixed in mortars at mass ratios shown in Table 3 to prepare various water soluble polymer compositions, which were evaluated for anti-redeposition ratio by the above-described method . The results are shown in Table 3. TABLE 3

Polymer (A) : polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer Polymer (B): poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention has a high Ca ion trapping ability and an excellent clay dispersing ability in hard water with a high hardness, and therefore, it is preferably suitable for a detergent builder. The water soluble polymer composition of the present invention can be used in a wide range of various applications such as detergent compositions, dispersants, flocculants, scale inhibitors, chelating agents, water treating agents, and fiber treating agents. In particular, it is preferably used for detergent compositions, dispersants, and water treating agents.

Claims

1. Awater soluble polymer composition comprising

(A) a polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer; and (B) a poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer having no polyalkylene glycol chain, the composition having a Ca ion trapping ability of 300 mg CaCO₃/g or higher, and a clay dispersing ability, at a hardness of 100 ppm, of 0.5 or higher.

2. The water soluble polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) at an amount of 5% to 35% by mass and the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) at an amount of 95% to 65% by mass, when the total amount of the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) and the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer

(B) is taken as 100% by mass.

3. The water soluble polymer composition according to claim 1 to 2, wherein the polyalkylene glycol chain containing water soluble polymer (A) is synthesized from monomer components comprising a polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymerizable monomer, an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and/or an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or a salt thereof.

4. A process for producing an aqueous polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising steps of: separately preparing (a) an aqueous solution which contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and does not contain the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and (b) an aqueous solution which does not contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and contains the poly ( carboxylic acid) type polymer (B) ; and then mixing the aqueous solution (a) and the aqueous solution (b) .

5. A detergent builder comprising a water soluble polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Adetergent composition comprising a detergent builder according to claim 5.

7. A process for producing a detergent composition according to claim 6, comprising steps of: separately preparing (a) an aqueous solution which contains the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and does not contain the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B), and (b) an aqueous solution which does not contain the polyalkylene glycol chain containing polymer (A) and contains the poly (carboxylic acid) type polymer (B); and then mixing the aqueous solution (a) , the aqueous solution (b), and other ingredients necessary for the detergent composition.