Abstract: The present invention provides curable coating compositions including: (a) about 55 to about 99 weight percent of an epoxy-functional polymer containing at least two epoxide groups per molecule; (b) about 1 to about 45 weight percent of a thermoplastic polymer effective to reduce shrinkage of the curable composition upon curing and which is substantially insoluble in the epoxy-functional polymer; (c) about 1 to about 70 weight percent of ground vulcanized rubber particles having an average particle size ranging from about 1 to about 300 microns; (d) a curing agent adapted to cure the epoxy-functional polymer; and, optionally, vinyl chloride polymer.

Abstract: Cured coatings having particles at a surface region of the cured coating are provided. Also provided are multi-component composite coatings which include a cured basecoat deposited from a pigmented coating composition and a cured topcoat deposited from a topcoating composition. The multi-component composite coatings of the invention provide highly scratch resistant color-plus-clearcoatings capable of retaining scratch resistance after weathering.

Abstract: A curable powder film-forming composition which includes: (a) about 55 to 80 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film forming composition, of an epoxy functional copolymer having a Tg of about 77° F. to about 158° F. formed by free radical initiated polymerization of: (i) about 25 to about 75 percent by of a glycidyl functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (ii) about 25 to about 75 percent by weight of a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer or mixture of monomers free of glycidyl functionality; (b) about 15 to about 35 percent by weight of a polycarboxylic acid; and (c) about 1.0 to about 4.0 percent by weight of a polyisocyanate at least partially capped with a capping agent. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided, which includes a pigmented film-forming base coat and a transparent top coat of the film-forming composition described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides fiber strands and products coated with a blend of a hydrophobic fluoroalkylacrylate polymer and an amine-reactive material or a polymerization reaction product of a hydrophobic fluoroalkylacrylate and a amine reactive monomeric material which are useful as reinforcements for nylon composites to inhibit hydrolysis.

Abstract: A waterborne barrier coating composition is provided for protecting interior wall, window and adjacent floor surfaces of paint spray booths from the adherence of unwanted paint overspray. The composition can also be used to protect decorative finishes from damage during assembly processes. The coating composition is applied via brush or spray methods as a mixture of water solubilized styrene/acrylic or acrylic acid polymer, alkali-swellable Acrylate/Steareth-20 Itaconate acid copolymer or alkali-swellable Acrylate/Ceteth-20 Itaconate acid copolymer, and water. No surfactant or polyol is required to form a suitable coating. The composition provides a fast drying transparent or pigmented hard coating that is easily removed by cold water.

Abstract: A polythioether includes a structure having the formula I —R1—[—S—(CH2)2—O—[—R2—O—]m—(CH2)2—S—R1—]n—  I wherein R1 denotes a divalent C2-6 n-alkyl, C3-6 branched alkyl, C6-8 cycloalkyl or C6-10 alkylcycloalkyl group, —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r—, or —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r— in which at least one —CH2— unit is substituted with a methyl group, R2 denotes methylene, a divalent C2-6 n-alkyl, C2-6 branched alkyl, C6-8 cycloalkyl or C6-10 alkylcycloalkyl group, or —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r—, X denotes one selected from the group consisting of O, S and —NR6, R6 denotes H or methyl, m is a rational number from 0 to 10, n is an integer from 1 to 60, p is an integer from 2 to 6, q is an intege

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for drying and/or curing topcoatings and multicomponent composite coatings applied to surfaces of metal or polymeric substrates which include applying infrared radiation and warm, low velocity air simultaneously to the coating for a period of at least about 30 seconds and increasing the substrate temperature at a predetermined rate to achieve a specified peak temperature. Infrared radiation and hot air are applied simultaneously to the coating for a period of at least about 3 minutes and the substrate temperature is increased at a predetermined rate to achieve a specified peak temperature, such that a dried and/or cured coating is formed upon the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Processes for coating metal or polymeric substrates are provided which include the steps of: (a) applying a liquid basecoating composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) exposing the basecoating composition to air having a temperature ranging from about 10° C. to about 50° C. for a period of at least about 5 minutes to volatilize at least a portion of volatile material from the liquid basecoating composition, the velocity of the air at a surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 0.5 meters per second; (c) applying infrared radiation and hot air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a period of at least about 2 minutes, the velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 4 meters per second, the temperature of the metal substrate being increased at a rate ranging from about 0.4° C. per second to about 1.2° C. per second to achieve a peak substrate temperature ranging from about 120° C. to about 165° C.

Abstract: In a process for overcoating a substrate having a cured primer coating with a curable topcoat which when cured is swellable by a stripping solvent, a non-volatile polar material is applied to the primed substrate from an aqueous liquid vehicle before coating with the topcoat. The polar material facilitates the removal of the topcoat from the primer by the stripping solvent, as is required for example when repainting aircraft. The polar material has sufficiently high affinity for the primer surface that it is not washed off the primer surface by water rinsing or by application of the topcoat paint.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the present invention for recycling glass fiber waste into glass fiber product include a supply of scrap glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters; a crusher having at least one pair of rotatable rollers which rotate at essentially the same speed, the rollers having intermeshing protuberances for crushing scrap glass fibers passing therebetween; and an air separating device for separating a first portion of crushed glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 3 millimeters from a second portion of oversize glass fibers.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided comprising a mixture of: (i) at least one alkyl aromatic sulfonamide containing from 6 to 40 carbon atoms total and at least six carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and (ii) at least one polyether aromatic sulfonamide different from (i) and having the following structure: Q—[(OCH(R)CH(R))y—NH—SO2—A]z. Q is selected from the following structures: A is an aromatic group containing from 6 to 39 carbon atoms; L is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or A—SO2—NHCH(CH3)CH2—; R is independently hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x ranges from 0 to 40; y ranges from 2 to 40; z ranges from 1 to 3; and a ranges from 0 to 40. Also provided is a resinous composition comprising a film-forming material and a plasticizer, where the plasticizer comprises (i) or the mixture of (i) and (ii) above.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming composite coatings on substrates including the steps of: (A) applying an aqueous primary coating composition to at least a portion of a surface of a substrate, the primary coating composition including: (1) at least one thermosettable dispersion including polymeric microparticles having functionality adapted to react with a crosslinking material, the microparticles including: (a) at least one acid functional reaction product of ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and (b) at least one hydrophobic polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least about 500; and (2) at least one crosslinking material, to form a substantially uncured primary coating thereon; (B) applying a secondary coating composition to at least a portion of the primary coating formed in step (A) without substantially curing the primary coating to form a substantially uncured secondary coating thereon; and (C) applying a clear coating composition to at least a portion of the secondar

Abstract: A polythioether includes a structure having the formula I —R1—[—S—(CH2)2—O—[—R2—O—]m—(CH2)2—S—R1—]n—  I wherein R1 denotes a C2-6 n-alkylene, C3-6 branched alkylene, C6-8cycloalkylene or C6-10 alkylcycloalkylene group, —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r—, or —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r— in which at least one —CH2— unit is substituted with a methyl group, R2 denotes a C2-6 n-alkylene, C2-6 branched alkylene, C6-8 cycloalkylene or C6-10 alkylcycloalkylene group, or —[(—CH2—)p—X—]q—(—CH2—)r—, X denotes one selected from the group consisting of O, S and —NR6, R6 denotes H or methyl, m is a rational number from 0 to 10, n is an integer from 1 to 60, p is an integer from 2 to 6, q is an integer from

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber strand useful in composites and geosynthetics which includes a plurality of fibers having applied to at least a portion of surfaces thereof a base layer of a base coating composition and thereupon a principal layer of an aqueous coating composition different from the base coating composition, the aqueous coating composition including a blend of (1) a halogenated vinyl polymer and (2) an elastomeric polymer, the blend being essentially free of a monoolefinic material.

Abstract: A process for drying a liquid electrodeposited coating composition applied to a metal substrate is provided. Infrared radiation and warm air are applied simultaneously to the electrodeposited coating composition for a period of at least about 1 minute, the velocity of the air at the surface of the electrodeposited coating composition being less than about 4 meters per second. The temperature of the metal substrate is increased at a rate ranging from about 0.25.degree. C. per second to about 2.degree. C. per second to achieve a peak metal temperature of the substrate ranging from about 35.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. Infrared radiation and hot air are applied simultaneously to the electrodeposited coating composition for a period of at least about 2 minutes, during which the temperature of the metal substrate is increased at a rate ranging from about 0.2.degree. C. per second to about 1.5.degree. C. per second to achieve a peak metal temperature ranging from about 160.degree. C. to about 215.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides fiber strands having on at least a portion of surfaces thereof (a) a primary layer of a coating composition including a hydrophobic fluorine-containing polymer, the primary coated strands being useful for reinforcing thermoplastic composites, and (b) a secondary layer including a hydrophilic material applied over at least a portion of the primary layer, the secondarily coated strands being useful for inhibiting water wicking in a telecommunications cable assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber cable assembly including an optical fiber and a reinforcement strand including a plurality of sized glass fibers positioned about the optical fiber, the strand having thereon a dried residue of a secondary aqueous coating composition which is essentially free of a urethane-containing material and includes a first polymer prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a first monomer component including a first vinyl aromatic monomer and an acrylic monomer and a second polymer different from the first polymer, the second polymer being prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a second monomer component including a curable polymer of a second vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the surface of the strand wicks water at a rate of less than about 25.4 millimeters (one inch) in about six hours at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. A method of reducing the wicking of water along the surface of a glass fiber strand is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides semi-solid and reinforced soil mixtures formed from aqueous soil mixtures such as dredge material, discrete reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers. The reinforced mixtures can include additives for partially solidifying the aqueous soil mixture, such as calcium-containing materials, cementitious materials, silicon-containing materials, aluminum-containing materials and mixtures thereof. The pH of the reinforced soil mixture can be adjusted to control deterioration of the reinforcing fibers, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for producing glass fiber product from scrap glass fibers comprising at least one crusher having at least one pair of rotatable rollers which rotate at essentially the same speed, the rollers having intermeshing protuberances for crushing scrap glass fibers passing therebetween; a dryer for drying the crushed glass fibers to form dried glass fibers having a mean average moisture content of less than about one weight percent; and a separating device for separating the crushed glass fibers into (1) a first portion of crushed glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters and (2) oversize dried waste material.

Abstract: Electrodepositable coating composition bath is prepared and maintained to reduce the growth of bacteria in and around the bath. The composition has dispersed in an aqueous medium a resinous phase, said composition having a pH of at least 5, said resinous phase having basic nitrogen groups which are at least partially neutralized with an acid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group with one to four carbon atoms. The amount of this acid to neutralize the cationic resinous phase can be an initial amount greater than 90 of the milliequivalents of sulfamic acid based on the total milliequivalents of neutralizing acid in the bath for the electrodeposition coating of articles in the bath. Also, the bath is maintained by post addition of sulfamic acid to a level of greater than 80 weight percent of the milliequivalents of neutralizing acid when the bath has less than or greater than 90 weight percent of the milliequivalents of neutralizing acid in the bath as sulfamic acid.