Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantifying structural defects of a coating composition on a given substrate, where certain structural defect-inducing tests are performed. In this method, a coating formulation is doped with a colorimetric or luminescent material. Concentration of the material depends on the quantum efficiency, excitation and emission wavelengths, and employed detection techniques, and can range from about 1 fM to about 1 mM. Before, during and/or after such tests, the coating is illuminated with a wavelength of radiation at which the reflected or transmitted color or emitted luminescence of the material in the coating is detectable with an optical detector or by visual inspection. In this fashion, the percentage of failure of the coating can be quantified as well as the level of interdiffusion of coating into substrate or substrate into coating. The method of the invention is thus particularly well-suited for the combinatorial analysis of an array of coating samples.

Abstract: An end capped polyester ionomer composition comprising alkylene aryl polyester copolymer metal sulfonate units with end capping units formed by a reaction of the polyester copolymer with an epoxy compound having at least one cyclohexane ring moiety and a terminal epoxy functional group being a substituent on at least one cyclohexane ring moiety.

Abstract: A device and method for the high throughput screening of the abrasion resistance of coatings. The device includes a plurality of transducers, each of the plurality of transducers having at least one external surface, and a plurality of coatings, each of the plurality of coatings deposited onto the external surface(s) of one of the plurality of transducers. The device also includes a plurality of oscillation sources, coupled to the plurality of transducers, for generating and applying an oscillation potential to each of the plurality of transducers. Further, the device includes a plurality of oscillation detectors, coupled to the plurality of transducers, for measuring the oscillation frequency and a variation in oscillation frequency associated with abrasion resistance in each of the plurality of transducers. The method includes exposing each of the plurality of coatings to an abrasive material, the abrasive material causing a change in mass and/or viscoelastic property in each of the plurality of coatings.

Abstract: A polyester ionomer composition comprises an alkylene aryl polyester copolymer having metal sulfonate units represented by the formula IA: 1

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a poly(arylene ether), a polyamide, a compatibilizing agent, and a polyester ionomer exhibits reduced moisture absorption and improved paint adhesion. Use of the polyester ionomer allows use of lower amounts of conductive fillers.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition comprising:(a) Alkylene aryl polyester copolymers having metal sulfonate units represented by the formula IA: ##STR1## or the formula IB:(M.sup.+n O.sub.3 S).sub.d --A--(OR"OH).sub.pwhere p=1-3, d=1-3, p+d=2-6, n=1-5, and A is an aryl group containing one or more aromatic rings where the sulfonate substituent is directly attached to an aryl ring, R" is a divalent alkyl group and the metal sulfonate group is bound to the polyester through ester linkages;(b) An essentially amorphous polycarbonate, polyester carbonate or polyarylate polymer containing recurring units of the formula II: ##STR2## wherein Ar is divalent aromatic residue of a dicarboxylic acid or mixture of dicarboxylic acids and Ar' is the divalent aromatic residue of a dihydric phenol or mixture of dihydric phenols. The composition may further comprise acidic phosphorus based quenchers, rubbery impact modifiers, mineral fillers or reinforcements.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition comprises units represented by the amide formula (I): ##STR1## and the ester formula (II): ##STR2## wherein said amide units are present as a physical mixture in said resin or as a polymer with the repeating ester units to impart an enhanced crystallization rate as compared to said resin without said amide units of formula (I), said amide units being present in an effective amount to decrease the difference between the temperature of melting and the temperature of crystallization of said resin to an amount less than 5 mole percent of amide unites of formula (I) based on the moles of ester units of formula (II).

Abstract: Disclosed are thermoplastic blends of polyesteramides and poly(phenylene ether) resins as well as methods for preparing said polyesteramides and polycarbonate blends thereof. Preferred polyesteramides are those comprising amide units of formula (I) ##STR1## and ester units of formula (II) ##STR2## wherein the ratio of (I) to (II) is at least 1:1, and more preferably wherein at least 80% of the units of formula (I) are separated by at least one of the units of formula (II). The thermoplastic blends may additionally contain compatibilizers for the polyesteramide and poly(phenylene ether) resins.