Abstract: Solvent-borne coating compositions and methods for forming coated substrates are provided. In one example, a solvent-borne coating composition includes a solvent(s), a colorant(s), a binder including one or more resins, a sag control agent, and a wax dispersion. The sag control agent includes urea crystals that are present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The wax dispersion includes ethylene vinyl acetate-based wax particles present in an amount of from about 3 wt. % to about 8 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The solvent-borne coating composition has a non-volatile content of from about 11 to about 30 vol. % based on the volume of the solvent-borne coating composition.

Abstract: A polymer includes the reaction product of A, B, and C, and optionally D, wherein: A is a polyepoxide that is: the condensation product of phenol, formaldehyde, and epichlorohydrin; the condensation product of bisphenol A, formaldehyde, and epichlorohydrin; or a combination of said condensation products; B is at least one polyoxyalkylene with a terminal primary amine group wherein each polyoxyalkylene comprises an ethyleneoxy moiety and a propyleneoxy moiety and independently has the following structure: wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 group, and wherein each of x and y is independently from 0 to about 500 and x+y>0; and C is an anchoring compound that is: a secondary amine; a monocarboxylic acid; a cyclic imide; or a combination thereof, and D is an alkylating agent. This polymer is included in a composition that further includes a compound such as a particulate solid.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for aligning an optical device with a surface configured to receive a liquid coating and for measuring a parameter of a liquid coating are provided. An exemplary method for measuring a parameter of a liquid coating includes providing a mechanical carriage connected to a surface configured to receive a layer of the liquid coating. An exemplary mechanical carriage is configured to move to and from an operative configuration located at a set distance and orientation with respect to the surface. The method further includes locating an optical device in the mechanical carriage. Also, the method includes adjusting an orientation of the optical device within the mechanical carriage to an aligned orientation based on a relationship between the surface and a mechanical alignment feature on the optical device. The method further includes performing a parameter measurement operation with the optical device in the aligned orientation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for approximating a 5-angle color difference model are provided, where the 5-angle color difference model utilizes a 5-angle equation. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage device for storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. The processor(s) are configured to receive 3-angle standard and test color measurements, and enter the 3-angle standard measurement into a neural network empirical model. The neural network empirical model includes a plurality of input nodes, a plurality of hidden nodes connected to the input nodes, and a plurality of output nodes connected to the hidden nodes. The neural network empirical model is configured to output 3-angle tolerance values, and to calculate a 3-angle color difference value using the 5-angle equation for at least one of the 3 color measurement angles using the 3-angle standard and test color measurements and the 3-angle tolerance values.

Abstract: Processor implemented systems and methods for matching color and appearance of a target coating are provided herein. A system includes a storage device for storing instructions, and one or more data processors. The data processor(s) are configured to execute instructions to receive a target image of a target coating. The data processor(s) are also configured to apply a feature extraction analysis process that divides the target image into a plurality of target pixels for image analysis.

Abstract: Methods of coating a substrate are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition is applied to the substrate with a high transfer efficiency applicator to produce a coating layer, where the high transfer efficiency applicator and the substrate remain spatially separate while the coating composition is applied. A droplet of the coating composition expelled from the high transfer efficiency applicator has a particle size of about 10 microns or greater. The coating composition has a viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 1,000,000 centipoise when the coating composition is subject to a shear rate of about 0.1 reciprocal seconds (s?1). However, the coating composition is non-Newtonian such that a coating composition viscosity decreases when the shear rate is increased to the coating composition. The coating layer is impinged with a gas such that a coating layer surface moves upon impingement with the gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a radar compatible coating are provided. In one example, the method includes obtaining a reflectance measurement of a target coating to characterize a color of the target coating. One or more candidate formulas are generated to determine color matching to the color of the target coating. A corresponding color and a corresponding radar property for each of the one or more candidate formulations is predicted. A radar compatible coating composition that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating is generated. Generating the radar compatible coating composition is based at least in part on the corresponding color and the corresponding radar property for one of the one or more candidate formulations.

Abstract: Low-cost devices for measuring radar transmission and/or reflectance of coated articles are provided. An exemplary low-cost radar transmission and reflection measurement device includes a radar transmitter that emits a radar signal, a radar target to which the radar signal is directed, and a radar receiver that receives the radar signal. Further, the exemplary low-cost device includes a sample holder located between the radar transmitter and the radar target and between the radar target and the radar receiver. The sample holder receives a sample including a coating. The low-cost device also includes a controller connected to the radar transmitter and radar receiver. The controller measures a radar signal loss due to the coating.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating composition to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator is provided herein. The system includes a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The coating composition comprises a carrier and a binder. The coating composition has a viscosity of from about 0.002 Pa*s to about 0.2 Pa*s, a density of from about 838 kg/m3 to about 1557 kg/m3, a surface tension of from about 0.015 N/m to about 0.05 N/m, and a relaxation time of from about 0.0005 s to about 0.02 s. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the coating composition through the nozzle orifice to the substrate to form a coating layer. At least 80% of the droplets of the coating composition expelled from the high transfer efficiency applicator contact the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high efficiency transfer applicator. The method includes identifying at least one of an Ohnesorge number (Oh) for the coating composition, a Reynolds number (Re) for the coating composition, or a Deborah number (De) for the coating composition. The method includes obtaining at least one of a viscosity (?) of the coating composition, a surface tension (?) of the coating composition, a density (?) of the coating composition, a relaxation time (?) of the coating composition, a nozzle diameter (D) of the high efficiency transfer applicator, or an impact velocity (v) of the high efficiency transfer applicator. The method includes forming the coating composition having at least one of the viscosity (?), the surface tension (?), or the density (?).

Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator is provided herein. The coating composition includes monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric compounds having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 20,000 and having a free-radically polymerizable double bond. The coating composition further includes a photo initiator. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6. The coating composition has a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200. The coating composition has a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.

Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator. The coating composition includes a carrier and a binder comprising an elastomeric resin in an amount of at least 50 weight %, wherein the elastomeric resin has an Elongation to Break of at least 500% according to DIN 53 504. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6. The coating composition has a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200. The coating composition has a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating composition to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator is provided herein. The system includes a storage device for storing instructions for performing a matching protocol, and one or more data processors configured to execute the instructions to, receive, by one or more data processors, target image data of a target coating, the target image data generated by an electronic imaging device, and apply the target image data to a matching protocol to generate application instructions. The system further includes a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the coating composition through the nozzle orifice to the substrate to form a coating layer. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured expel the coating composition based on the application instructions.

Abstract: Base coats and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing a base coat includes forming a CPO intermediate and a color intermediate. The CPO intermediate includes a CPO solvent and a chlorinated polyolefin, where the chlorinated polyolefin is present in the CPO intermediate at from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, based on a total weight of the CPO intermediate. The color intermediate includes a color imparting additive and a color solvent that is different than the CPO solvent. The CPO intermediate and the color intermediate are combined to form the base coat.

Abstract: Coating installations are provided that include storage tanks for an aqueous base component and a non-aqueous hardener component, circulation lines for the components from the respective storage tanks, a mixer and an entrance to the mixer with a connection between each circulating line and the entrance to the mixer, and a release valve for the non-aqueous hardener component. The coating installation downstream of the non-aqueous hardener release valve is filled with a non-aqueous solvent composition comprising 0 to 10 wt. % of N-alkyl pyrrolidone, 0 to 5 wt. % of dimethyl sulfoxide, 10 to 50 wt. % of ?-butyrolactone, 10 to 50 wt. % of at least one monoalcohol, 10 to 60 wt. % of at least one organic solvent inert towards isocyanate groups, other than ?-butyrolactone, other than N-alkyl pyrrolidone, and consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and, optionally, nitrogen, and 0 to 10 wt. % of at least one additive.

Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator. The coating composition includes a carrier and a binder. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6, the coating composition has a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200, and the coating composition has a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.

Abstract: A system for applying a first coating composition and a second coating composition. The system includes a first high transfer efficiency applicator defining a first nozzle orifice and a second high transfer efficiency applicator defining a second nozzle orifice. The system further includes a substrate defining a target area. The first high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the first coating composition through the first nozzle orifice to the target area of the substrate to form a first coating layer. The second high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the second coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the first coating layer to form a second coating layer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for estimating a component transmission loss are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving a desired substrate criterion of a desired substrate, and receiving a desired coating criterion of a desired coating. A component includes the desired substrate and the desired coating. A coating criterion value is received, where the coating criterion value quantifies the desired coating criterion. A desired coating permittivity is estimated for the desired coating, using the coating criterion value, and an estimated component transmission loss of radar signal through the component is produced.

Abstract: Low-cost devices and methods for measuring radar transmission and/or reflectance of coated articles, as well as methods for forming coatings on articles are provided. An exemplary low-cost radar transmission and reflection measurement device includes a radar transmitter that emits a radar signal, a radar target to which the radar signal is directed, and a radar receiver that receives the radar signal. Further, the exemplary low-cost device includes a sample holder located between the radar transmitter and the radar target and between the radar target and the radar receiver. The sample holder receives a sample including a coating. The low-cost device also includes a controller connected to the radar transmitter and radar receiver. The controller measures a radar signal loss due to the coating.

Abstract: A system and method include receiving target image data associated with a target coating. A color model and a local color model are used to predict color differences between the target coating and a sample coating. The color model and local color model includes a feature extraction analysis process that determines image features by analyzing target pixel feature differences within the target coating. Performing an optimization routine upon the color differences for determining automotive paint components for spraying a substrate.