Abstract: The present invention, a powder composition for making powder coatings comprising one or more than one curable polymer or resin and an agglomerate of a core-shell polymer, wherein the agglomerate of a core-shell polymer has an average particle size of from 5 to 190 microns, preferably from 10 to 127 microns. The powders in accordance with the present invention provide a cured powder coating that is flexible, smooth, and which may be applied in a thickness of only from 0.3 to 8 mils. In a preferred embodiment of making a powder in accordance with the present invention, the agglomerate is cryoground to form a reduced agglomerate prior to adding it into a powder as a post-blend or a powder-forming mixture as a preblend. The preferred core-shell polymer for use in accordance with the present invention comprises an acrylic impact modifier having a poly(methyl methacrylate) shell and a poly(butyl acrylate) core.

Abstract: The present invention, a powder composition for making powder coatings comprising one or more than one curable polymer or resin and an agglomerate of a core-shell polymer, wherein the agglomerate of a core-shell polymer has an average particle size of from 5 to 190 microns, preferably from 10 to 127 microns. The powders in accordance with the present invention provide a cured powder coating that is flexible, smooth, and which may be applied in a thickness of only from 0.3 to 8 mils. In a preferred embodiment of making a powder in accordance with the present invention, the agglomerate is cryoground to form a reduced agglomerate prior to adding it into a powder as a post-blend or a powder-forming mixture as a preblend. The preferred core-shell polymer for use in accordance with the present invention comprises an acrylic impact modifier having a poly(methyl methacrylate) shell and a poly(butyl acrylate) core.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric material compositions having excellent white light transmission that is substantially free of color over long light path lengths. This invention also provides polymeric material compositions that provide for the transmission of light having a controlled color when illuminated with a white light source.

Abstract: Acrylic light pipe has adequate thermal and photo-thermal stability for many purposes, but is deficient in maintaining clarity, color, and good optical properties under conditions of exposure to high temperatures, especially in combination with exposure for lengthy periods to passage of light. Improved thermal stability, as reflected in reduced color formation, can be imparted by adjusting the polymerization conditions to produce the uncured core polymer of the core/clad construction with a much reduced terminal vinyl content, preferably below 0.5 vinyl groups/1000 monomer units. This process improvement, in combination with selected addition of a combination of certain hindered phenols and hydrolytically stable organic phosphites, together produce a substantial improvement in the resistance to discoloration under photo-thermal conditions, while maintaining the resistance to discoloration under thermal conditions.

Abstract: Acrylic light pipe as described in Bigley et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,406,641 and 5,485,541, has adequate thermal stability for many purposes. It has been found that improved thermal stability, as reflected in color formation, can be imparted by adjusting the polymerization conditions to produce the uncured core polymer of the core/clad construction with a much reduced terminal vinyl content, preferably below 0.5 vinyl groups/1000 monomer units.