Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an etch and mar resistant low VOC clear coating composition most suitable for use as a top clear coat in multi-layered OEM or refinish automative coatings. The coating composition includes isocyanate, silane and melamine components. The isocyanate component includes an aliphatic polyisocyanate. The composition may be formulated as a two-pack or one-pack coating composition, wherein the isocyanante functionalities are blocked with a blocker such as a mono-alcohol.

Abstract: This invention concerns low viscosity aldimine and ketimine reactive diluents having multi-imine functionality, which are useful in automotive refinish coating compositions, including a process for making them and the coatings that contain them.

Abstract: A multi-component proportioning system for dispensing a multi-component coating composition is provided. The delivery system is particularly useful in providing multi-component compositions to a multi-component dispenser. The system provides very accurate mix ratios due to the consistent, reproducible displacement of components from the liquid pump assemblies used in the multi-component proportioning system regardless of viscosity. Such accuracy eliminates improper mixing of components that can lead to reworking and lost time, materials, and profits.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an etch and mar resistant low VOC clear coating composition most suitable for use as a top clear coat in multi-layered OEM or refinish automotive coatings. The coating composition includes polyisocyanate, polyester polyol and melamine components, where more than half of total composition solids include the polyester polyol and melamine components. The polyisocyanate component includes an aliphatic polyisocyanate. The composition may be formulated as a two-pack or one-pack coating composition, wherein the isocyanate functionalities are blocked with a blocker such as a mono-alcohol.

Abstract: An electrodeposition coating process consisting of the successive process steps: 1) electrodeposition of a coating layer of an electrodeposition coating agent that contains a thermally curable binder system onto the surface of an electrically conductive substrate and 2) thermal curing of the electrodeposited coating layer by irradiation with near infrared radiation.

Abstract: A process for the production of multi-layer coatings in which a substrate is provided with a 10 &mgr;m to 25 &mgr;m thick primer surfacer substitute layer, a base coat layer determining the color shade of the multi-layer coating is applied thereto and a clear coat is applied thereto and cured, wherein a solvent-containing clear coat containing from 0.1 to 0.3 wt-% of at least one anti-sag urea compound and 0.1 to 0.4 wt-% of highly dispersed silica, in each case based on the clear coat solids, is used to produce the clear coat layer.

Abstract: Aminoazole-blocked isocyanate components can be used as self crosslinking binders in heat-curable compositions.

Abstract: Water-dilutable binder composition containing one or more water-dilutable hydroxy-functional polyurethane urea paste resins having a urea group content (calculated as —NHCONH—) of from 10 to 300 mmol, a urethane group content (calculated as —NHCOO—) of from 20 to 300 mmol, in each case in 100 g of solid resin, an OH number of from 20 to 250, an acid number of from 15 to 80 and a molar mass Mn of from 1000 to 20,000, obtainable by I) preparing an NCO-group-containing polyurethane prepolymer by reacting a1) hydroxy-functional compounds having a molar mass (Mn) of from 360 to 8000 with a2) polyisocyanates and a3) compounds having at least one group that is able to react with isocyanates and at least one ionic group, II) subsequently reacting the polyurethane prepolymer with a4) hydroxy-functional monoamines and, optionally, polyols, and III) neutralising groups that can be converted into ionic groups, and from 2.0 to 25 wt.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to gassing stabilized aqueous coating compositions comprising A) a metallic pigment and at least one reaction product of: (a) 5 to 95 weight percent of a at least one phosphonic acid derivative selected form compound I and II wherein R1 is H or O═P(OH)2; R2 and R3 are independently H, OH or an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic substituent having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and optionally up to 10 heteroatoms of at least one of oxygen and phosphorus; and R′ is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic substituent having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and optionally up to 10 heteroatoms of at least one of oxygen and phosphorus; (b) 5 to 95 weight percent of a at least one compound having at least two epoxy groups and a number average molecular weight Mn of 300 to 5000 g/mol; and (c) 0 to 90 weight percent of a compound having one epoxy-functional group, wherein the proportions by weight of components (a), (b) and (c) total 100 weight percent.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: This invention is directed to alkyl cobalt (III) dioximates and methods for making these dioximates.

Abstract: Coating composition containing a binder/crosslinking agent system, organic solvents, optionally together with pigments and/or extenders and conventional lacquer additives, wherein the binder/crosslinking agent system contains A) 20 to 80 wt. % of carboxy-functional (meth)acrylic copolymers and/or polyesters which are dissolved in the continuous phase of the coating composition, with an acid value of 15 to 300 mg of KOH/g, B) 80 to 20 wt.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an etch and mar resistant low VOC clear coating composition most suitable for use as a top clear coat in multi-layered OEM or refinish automotive coatings. The coating composition includes isocyanate, carbonate and melamine components. The isocyanate component includes an aliphatic polyisocyanate. The composition may be formulated as a two-pack or one-pack coating composition, wherein the isocyanate functionalities are blocked with a blocker such as a mono-alcohol.

Abstract: This invention concerns a test apparatus and procedure used for quantitative and qualitative characterization of scratch and mar behavior of films or coatings, more particularly automotive coatings. The apparatus includes a micro-indentor that penetrates and scratches the coating to be characterized together with interrelated components for measuring the force applied, the length and depth of the indentor penetration, the geometry of the disturbed coating surface as well as a system for measuring, analyzing and comparing test results.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the synthesis of addition polymers containing branches upon branches and having a polymerizable olefin end group by a convenient one-pot polymerization of selected vinyl monomers with chain polymerization initiators and a method to provide olefinic end groups by chain termination agents; and polymers produced thereby characterized by branch-on-branch structure and lower inherent viscosity than heretofore possible.

Abstract: Method of lacquering a substrate by applying a clear-lacquer coating compound to a precoated substrate or a one-coat top lacquer coating compound to an optionally precoated substrate, followed by curing, the substrate being a motor-vehicle body or parts thereof, in which the substrate is subjected, after the application of the clear-lacquer coating compound or one-coat top lacquer coating compound, optionally to a drying phase and the curing is then performed by irradiation with NIR radiation having the wavelength from 760 to 1500 nm.