Abstract: The present inventions relate to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). These films are useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films and in molded optical parts, such as lenses. The resins of the present inventions can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, which is uncharacteristic of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of melt casting films while minimizing birefringence. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to films made from the cellulose esters described herein further comprising a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: A refinish coating composition is provided comprising: a) at least one refinish coating resin; b) at least one solvent; c) at least one pigment; d) optionally, at least one crosslinking agent; e) at least one cellulose mixed ester having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 10,000 and f) at least one low molecular weight cellulose mixed ester. In addition, processes for coating the refinish coating composition on a substrate are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: A basecoat composition is provided comprising: a) at least one film-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylic polyols and polyester polyols; b) at least one rheological modifier; c) at least one solvent; d) at least one pigment; e) optionally, at least one microgel; f) optionally, at least one crosslinking agent; and g) at least one cellulose mixed ester. A wet-on-wet-on wet process is also provided. The process for coating a substrate comprises: a) applying a primer to said substrate to produce a primed substrate; b) applying a basecoat composition to said primed substrate while said primer is wet to produce a basecoated substrate; and c) applying a clearcoat composition to said basecoated substrate while said basecoat composition is wet and optionally said primer is wet to produce a coated substrate. Coated articles are also provided.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: Carboxyalkylcellulose esters are disclosed having relatively low degrees of polymerization. These new carboxyalkylcellulose esters include carboxymethylcellulose acetate, carboxymethylcellulose acetate propionate, and carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate. The inventive esters exhibit solubility in a range of organic solvents, and are useful in coatings and ink compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: A refinish coating composition is provided comprising: a) at least one refinish coating resin; b) at least one solvent; c) at least one pigment; d) optionally, at least one crosslinking agent; e) at least one cellulose mixed ester having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 10,000 and f) at least one low molecular weight cellulose mixed ester. In addition, processes for coating the refinish coating composition on a substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A basecoat composition is provided comprising: a) at least one film-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylic polyols and polyester polyols; b) at least one rheological modifier; c) at least one solvent; d) at least one pigment; e) optionally, at least one microgel; f) optionally, at least one crosslinking agent; and g) at least one cellulose mixed ester. A wet-on-wet-on wet process is also provided. The process for coating a substrate comprises: a) applying a primer to said substrate to produce a primed substrate; b) applying a basecoat composition to said primed substrate while said primer is wet to produce a basecoated substrate; and c) applying a clearcoat composition to said basecoated substrate while said basecoat composition is wet and optionally said primer is wet to produce a coated substrate. Coated articles are also provided.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). These films are useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films and in molded optical parts, such as lenses. The resins of the present inventions can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, which is uncharacteristic of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of melt casting films while minimizing birefringence. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to films made from the cellulose esters described herein further comprising a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: Carboxyalkylcellulose esters are disclosed having relatively low degrees of polymerization. These new carboxyalkylcellulose esters include carboxymethylcellulose acetate, carboxymethylcellulose acetate propionate, and carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate. The inventive esters exhibit solubility in a range of organic solvents, and are useful in coatings and ink compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.