Finely divided ionomer coated thermoplastic resin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A dry powder of finely dispersed thermoplastic resin comprising resins selected from homopolymers and copolymers of olefins wherein the individual resin particles are substantially coated uniformly with a substantially water-insoluble ionomer, the ionomer including at least about 50 mol percent of an ethylenically unsaturated alpha-olefin of about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, from about 0.
2 to about 50 mol percent of an alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from about 3 to about 8 carbon atoms, with at least 10% of the acid groups being neutralized, said individual resin particles having diameters greater than about 10 microns and being present in the form of a finely divided dry powder.
2.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 1 wherein the individual particles have diameters less than about 800 microns and greater than about 10 microns.
3.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 1 wherein the ionomer polymer is made by salt-forming with metal ions at least 10% of the acid groups of a copolymer of units derived from an alpha-olefin of the formula RCH.
dbd.
CH.
sub.
2 wherein R is H or alkyl having from 1-8 carbon atoms and from 1.
0 to 25 mole percent of units derived from an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and, fumaric acid.
4.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 3 wherein said alpha-olefin is ethylene.
5.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 3 wherein said alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is methacrylic acid.
6.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 1 wherein the homopolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisobutylene and poly(4-methylpentene).
7.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 6 wherein the homopolymer is polyethylene or polypropylene.
8.
The thermoplastic resin of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl propionate, ethylene-vinyl isobutyrate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol, ethylene-methyl acrylate, and ethylene-ethyl methacrylate