PURPOSE: To generate a polymer product having a molecular weight higher than a starting acrylate polymer by generating free radicals at specific sites on a plurality of polymer chains including an acrylic polymer chain and combining the polymers in an aqueous solution.

CONSTITUTION: Free radicals are generated at saturated carbon atoms on two or more polymer chains (e.g.: all of the chains are polyacrylates) including at least one acrylate polymer chain (e.g.: polyacrylate) in an aqueous solution whose pH is preferably adjusted to about 1 to about 11 by adding a initiator (e.g.: sodium peroxydisulfate) and heating to about 80-125°C to combine the two or more polymer chains at the free radical sites.