Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, and (b) epoxide functional crosslinking agent having at least two epoxide groups, e.g., triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.0. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant is prepared by polymerizing (i) at least one prepolymer having a radically polymerizable group, and (ii) at least one second monomer. The prepolymer is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, of at least one radically polymerizable first monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric backbone segment of the pigment dispersant, and the prepolymer forms polymeric segments that are pendent to the backbone. The backbone segment of the pigment dispersant in hydrophobic, while at least a portion of each pendent polymeric segment is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A curable composition and process of applying the composition and the resulting composite coatings provide improved resistance to acid etch and mar. The curable composition has (a) about 30 to 90 percent by weight, based on total weight of resin solids, of a film-forming composition selected from the group consisting of: (i) a polyepoxide and a polyacid crosslinking agent; (ii) an acrylosilane polymer, an acrylic polyol polymer, and optionally an alkylated melamine-formaldehyde crosslinking agent; and (iii) a polyisocyanate and a polymer having at least one group that is reactive with isocyanate; and (b) about 10 to 70 percent by weight, based on total weight of resin solids, of a tricarbamoyl triazine compound of the formula: C3N3(NHCOXR)3 wherein X is nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, or carbon, and R is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or mixtures of lower alkyl groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermosetting compositions which are comprised of a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium, the resinous phase comprising (a) an ungelled active hydrogen group-containing polymer which contains onium salt groups, the polymer having been prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group, and (b) a curing agent having at least two functional groups which are reactive with the active hydrogen groups of (a). The active hydrogen group-containing polymers of the thermosetting compositions, which are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, have narrow molecular weight distributions and well-defined, specifically tailored polymer architecture which can provide enhanced crosslink density and dispersibility of the thermosetting compositions. Also disclosed is a method of electrocoating a conductive substrate using the thermosetting compositions of the invention, and a substrate coated by this method.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermosetting compositions which are comprised of a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium, the resinous phase comprising (a) an ungelled active hydrogen group-containing polymer which contains amine salt groups, the polymer having been prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group, and (b) a curing agent having at least two functional groups which are reactive with the active hydrogen groups of (a). The active hydrogen group-containing polymers of the thermosetting compositions, which are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, have narrow molecular weight distributions and well-defined, specifically tailored polymer architecture which can provide enhanced crosslink density and dispersibility of the thermosetting compositions. Also disclosed is a method of electrocoating a conductive substrate using the thermosetting compositions of the invention, and a substrate coated by this method.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) beta-hydroxyalkylamide crosslinking agent, e.g., bis(N,N-di-2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and (b) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant has core and arm star-type architecture, and is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, using (i) arm-core, (ii) arm-core-arm, (iii) core-arm, or (iv) concurrent core and arm methods. The arms of the pigment dispersant each have hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymeric chain segments.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion which includes a pigment, an aqueous carrier and a pigment dispersant. The pigment dispersant is prepared by controlled radical polymerization initiated in the presence of a monomeric initiator having at least two radically transferable groups. The pigment dispersant has at least one of the following polymer chain structures: &phgr;-[(G)p—(E)s—T]z and &phgr;-[(E)3—(G)p—T]z where G is a hydrophobic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; E is a hydrophilic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; &phgr; is a residue of or derived from the initiator, and is free of the radically transferable group; T is or is derived from the radically transferable group of the initiator; z is 2 to 10; p and s are at least one and are selected such that the pigment dispersant has a number average molecular weight of at least 500.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition is provided comprising: (a) a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with hydroxyl groups; and (b) a non-gelled, hydroxyl functional polymer prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) capped polyisocyanate crosslinking agent, e.g., a trimer of 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane capped with e-caprolactam or 1H-2,5-dimethyl pyrazole, and (b) hydroxy functional polymer, is described. The hydroxy functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition is provided comprising: (a) a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with epoxides; and (b) a non-gelled, epoxy functional polymer prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition is provided comprising: (a) a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with carbamates; and (b) a non-gelled, carbamate functional polymer prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition which is resistant to acid etching is provided. The curable film-forming composition comprises: A) a polymer prepared from the following ingredients: 1) an ethylenically unsaturated, beta-hydroxy ester functional monomer; 2) an ethylenically unsaturated, hydroxyalkyl functional monomer; 3) a vinyl aromatic compound; and 4) an alkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid having 1 to 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and B) an etherified aminoplast crosslinking agent. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided, comprising a base coat deposited from a pigmented film-forming composition and a transparent top coat applied over the base coat in which the transparent coat, or clear coat, is deposited from the curable film-forming composition described above.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant is prepared by polymerizing (i) at least one prepolymer having a radically polymerizable group, and (ii) at least one second monomer. The prepolymer is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, of at least one radically polymerizable first monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric backbone segment of the pigment dispersant, and the prepolymer forms polymeric segments that are pendent to the backbone. The backbone segment of the pigment dispersant is hydrophilic, while at least a portion of each pendent polymeric segment is hydrophobic.

Abstract: By use of polymeric color effect pigment, comprising a plurality of particles essentially free from metallic material, preferably free from inorganic material, and formed from a large number of layers of polymeric materials whose refractive indices differ from each other, metallic, reflective, or colored appearance is provided to coatings or other polymeric products without the use of relatively dense pigments.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition comprising a dispersion in an aqueous medium of an acrylic addition polymer having carboxyl groups in which a proportion of the carboxyl groups are derived from a carboxyl functional chain transfer agent, the composition also comprising a base in an amount sufficient to at least partially neutralise the carboxyl groups on the polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides powder coatings that consistently produce durable finishes when cured, and are stable when uncured. These powder coatings of the invention include novel film forming systems. The novel film forming system, in turn, includes a polymer component and a crosslinker component. In one embodiment, the polymer component is novel; and, in another embodiment, both the polymer and crosslinker components are novel. The novel polymer component includes a novel polyester polyol. This novel polyester polyol includes the reaction product of a cycloaliphatic component and a polyfunctional isocyanurate component. The novel crosslinker component which can be used when practicing certain embodiments of this invention includes a novel, polyfunctional isocyanate compound which is at least partially blocked with at least one of the following: a polyhydroxy aromatic compound, or a mixture of a polyhydroxy aromatic compound and a hydroxy-functional ester compound.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, of a radically polymerizable monomer in the presence of a polymeric initiator having at least one radically transferable group. The polymeric initiator forms the polymeric backbone segment of the pigment dispersant, and the monomer forms polymeric segments that are pendent to the polymeric backbone segment. The pigment dispersant has comb-like architecture in which the polymeric backbone segment is hydrophobic, and at least a portion of each pendent polymeric segment is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A process for coating a metal substrate includes: (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 30° C. for a period of at least about 30 seconds 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 warm air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a period of at least about 30 seconds, the velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 4 meters per second, the temperature of the substrate being increased at a rate ranging from about 0.02° C. per second to about 0.4° C. per second to achieve a peak temperature of the substrate ranging from about 20° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: Block copolymers containing at least two blocks are provided and comprise: (a) a first block containing residues of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality, e.g., 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, and a minor amount of at least one hydroxy functional ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer, e.g., hydroxypropyl methacrylate; and (b) a second block containing residues of at least one second ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality, e.g., iso-butyl methacrylate, and a minor amount of at least one hydroxy functional ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer. The calculated Tg of the second monomer of the block copolymer is at least 20° C. greater than the calculated Tg of the first monomer.