Abstract: A process for improving the impact resistance of a coated plastic substrate, particularly those polymers having a high refractive index, comprising applying an aqueous polyurethane dispersion as a primer layer to at least one surface of the plastic substrate, at least partially curing the aqueous polyurethane dispersion by air drying at ambient temperature, applying a coating composition over the polyurethane primer layer, and curing the coating composition to form an abrasion resistant hard coat. Preferably, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion is air dried at ambient temperature for less than one hour before application of the abrasion resistant coating composition. The process provides an impact enhancing, abrasion resistant coating system having strong interfacial adhesion that is preferably transparent for application onto preferably transparent plastic articles, such as ophthalmic lenses and safety eye wear.

Abstract: An impact resistant transparent laminate that includes as one ply a special urethane-modified acrylic sheet containing a vinyl-functional polyurethane elastomer that is a polymerization product of an aliphatic diisocyanate, one or more hydroxyl-functional polyether or polyester prepolymers, and a hydroxyl or amine-functional vinyl monomer. In a three-ply embodiment of the invention, the urethane modified acrylic sheet serves as the back ply, a hard plastic sheet formed of a material like cast acrylic serves as the front ply, and a thin sheet having high elongation such as polyurethane serves as an intermediate ply. In a five-ply embodiment of the invention, the laminate further includes a second thin sheet having high elongation disposed immediately behind the urethane-modified acrylic ply and a ductile plastic sheet formed of a material like polycarbonate to serve as its back ply.

Abstract: A cured transparent, abrasion resistant coating on at least one surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an effective abrasion resisting amount of a colloidal dispersion containing colloidal antimony oxide and colloidal silica in a weight ratio of less than or equal to about 30:70, in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of R(Si(OH).sub.3) wherein R is an organic radical.

Abstract: A coating composition which forms an improved transparent, abrasion resistant coating upon curing. The coating composition comprises an effective abrasion resisting amount of a colloidal dispersion containing colloidal antimony oxide and colloidal silica in a weight ratio of less than or equal to about 30:70, in a water-alcohol solution of the partial condensate of R(Si(OH).sub.3) wherein R is an organic radical.