A polyblend sizing agent was prepared by free radical polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol, (PVOH) (Vinarol 1 DV of Clariant), using ammonium persulfate (AP) initiator. Polymerization was conducted under different conditions including AP concentration (0.025-0.125 mol/L), degree of neutralization (3-50%), time (0-60 min), temperature (50-80 C), AA/PVOH ratio (0.2:1.2), type of neutralizing agent (NaOH or NH 4 OH), and PVOH concentration (50-150 g/L). At optimum polymerization conditions, 100 g/L PVOH, 75 g/L AA (3% neutralized using NH 4 OH), 0.1 mol/L AP, at 70 C for 25 min, a polyblend was prepared with a percent total conversion of 94%. It was then neutralized with NaOH to a pH of 7. Rheological properties of 10% aqueous solution of the polyblend or PVOH at 80 C revealed that the first was of a nonNewtonian pseudoplastic flow and the latter is of a non-Newtonian thixotropic flow. Solubility time of the polyblend film was shorter than that of PVOH, either after thermal treatment (120 C/15 min) or without thermal treatment. Sized gauzy fabric samples using the polyblend were of higher tensile strength and extent of size removal than those sized with PVOH.