Disclosed are compositions and processes for preparing polymeric materials
having polymerizable units derived from at least one C.sub.8 to C.sub.30
alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, and at least one chain branching unit. The
presence of the chain branching unit suprisingly results in the polymeric
composition having non-gelled polymer chains. The polymeric compositions
are useful as additives for improving the melt strength of thermoplastic
resins.