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

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring color of a target coating are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a color measurement device includes a housing configured for placement on a target coating. A source connected to the housing directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the target coating at an entrance angle. A spherical coordinate system is used, where the entrance angle is a polar angle measured from a zenith that is normal to the target coating surface. First and second detectors are connected to the housing at a first and second polar angle, respectively, to measure the electromagnetic radiation reflected by a target population of flakes within the target coating, where all the flakes in the target population of flakes have the same angled flake normal polar angle. The first polar angle is different than the second polar angle.

Abstract: A system for applying a first coating composition and a second coating composition is provided herein. The system includes an atomizing applicator and a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The system further includes a substrate assembly comprising a metal-containing substrate and a plastic-containing substrate. The metal-containing substrate is coupled to the plastic-containing substrate. The atomizing applicator is configured to apply the first coating composition to the metal-containing substrate. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the second coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the plastic-containing substrate.

Abstract: A method for providing a primer coating on an automotive body component is provided. The method includes mixing a first part comprising polyester and melamine with a second part comprising an unblocked acid catalyst to form a mixed composition; applying the mixed composition to the automotive body component; and curing the mixed composition on the automotive body component at a temperature of less than about 120° C. (250° F.), such as from about 87° C. (190° F.) to about 110° C. (230° F.).

Abstract: Dielectric pigments having a metallic appearance for radar compatible coatings and methods for making such dielectric pigments are provided. In one example, the dielectric pigment includes a flake. The flake includes a plurality of alternating layers of dielectric materials including a first layer formed of a first dielectric material having a first refractive index in the visible spectrum range and a second layer disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer and formed of a second dielectric material having a second refractive index in the visible spectrum range that is different than the first refractive index.

Abstract: Methods and systems for matching color and/or appearance of a surface of an object are provided. In one example, method includes determining a gloss of the surface of the object at one or more angles. The gloss is compared to a minimum gloss threshold to determine a condition of the surface of the object. If the gloss is at or exceeds the minimum gloss threshold, the surface is properly conditioned. If the gloss is less than the minimum gloss threshold, the surface is improperly conditioned. The color and/or appearance of the surface of the object is characterized if the surface is properly conditioned.

Abstract: A coating composition includes a (A) binder component and a (B) pigment component. The (A) binder component includes (A1) polyvinyl butyrate, (A2) a particular film forming resin, (A3) an acid, (A4) an optional functionalized tri-alkoxy silane, and (A5) an optional polymeric phosphate ester. The (B) pigment component includes (B1) a calcium ion-exchanged silica, (B2) a corrosion inhibiting pigment, and (B3), a polyalkylene oxide phosphate. The coating composition is formed by combining the aforementioned components. In a method, the coating composition is applied to a substrate.

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

Abstract: Asset tracking systems and methods include one or more tracking devices that pair with one or more hub devices to transmit sensor data from a tracking device only to a paired hub device with a hub device state quality rating, and from the paired hub device to a network server, thereby reducing redundant communications and communication network usage.

Abstract: A coating composition includes a (A) binder component and a (B) pigment component. The (A) binder component includes (A1) polyvinyl butyrate, (A2) a particular film forming resin, (A3) an acid, (A4) an optional functionalized tri-alkoxy silane, and (A5) an optional polymeric phosphate ester. The (B) pigment component includes (B1) a calcium ion-exchanged silica, (B2) a corrosion inhibiting pigment, and (B3), a polyalkylene oxide phosphate. The coating composition is formed by combining the aforementioned components. In a method, the coating composition is applied to a substrate.

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

Abstract: A nozzle plate defines at least one nozzle connected to the nozzle plate at a base, wherein the at least one nozzle has a height and a top having an inner width and an outer width, wherein a ratio of the height to the inner width is greater than 5, and wherein the nozzle plate comprises a borosilicate glass. The nozzle plate is formed via a method including providing a silicon wafer having a surface; providing a borosilicate glass wafer having a surface; etching the surface of the silicon wafer to form a plurality of trenches in the surface; anodically bonding the etched surface of the silicon wafer to the surface of the borosilicate glass wafer to form a two layer composite; heating the two layer composite at a temperature of at least about 750° C.; and releasing the silicon wafer from the borosilicate glass to form the nozzle plate.

Abstract: Coated substrates, methods of coating substrates, and coatings for substrates are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for coating a substrate includes coating the substrate with a primer to form a primer layer, where the primer comprises a primer conductivity additive, a primer adhesion promotor additive, a primer binder, and primer volatiles. The primer layer is flash dried to reduce the primer volatiles to about 20 weight percent or less. The primer layer is coated with a total color coat layer prior to curing the primer layer, and then the total color coat layer and the primer layer are cured to form a cured substrate coating. The cured substrate coating has a substrate coating percent transmissivity of specified amounts or less at four different wavelength ranges, and the cured primer layer has a primer layer transmissivity less than that of the substrate coating percent transmissivity.

Abstract: This description relates to low VOC water borne coating compositions with improved application properties based on a binder mixture comprising an urethanized polyester and an acrylic two-step polymer. This description further relates to the use of the low VOC water borne coating compositions for forming a coating, preferably for forming a clear coat, and more preferably for forming a clear coat in refinishing applications. Moreover, this description also relates to a method of forming a multilayer coating comprising a step of forming a coating layer by using the low VOC water borne coating composition.

Abstract: Sealers, construction products, and methods of sealing construction products are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a sealer includes a first part and a second part, the first part includes an epoxy resin having an epoxy resin molecular weight of about 5,000 Daltons or greater, and also includes an epoxy functional diluent having a diluent molecular weight of about 2,000 Daltons or less. The second part includes a crosslinking agent that is a polyamine. The sealer further includes a particulate with a specific gravity of from about 1 to about 5 grams per cubic centimeter.

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: 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.