Abstract: A coating composition includes an aqueous carrier medium, at least a first polymer, and polymeric core-shell particles dispersed in the aqueous carrier medium. The first polymer includes: (i) a barrier segment having aromatic groups and urethane linkages, urea linkages, or a combination thereof; and (ii) an elastomeric segment having a glass transition temperature of less than 0° C. The barrier segment can make up at least 30% of the first polymer, based on the total solids weight of the first polymer.

Abstract: A coating composition includes (a) a melamine resin having imino and methylol functional groups that together comprise 30 mole % or greater of the total functionality of the melamine resin; and (b) at least one polymer reactive with (a) that is obtained from components including polytetrahydrofuran and a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof. The polytetrahydrofuran includes greater than 20 weight % of the components that form the polymer (b) and the carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof includes greater than 5 weight % of the components that form the polymer (b). The polymer (b) has an acid value of at least 15 based on the total resin solids of the polymer (b).

Abstract: A coating composition includes an aqueous carrier medium, at least a first polymer, and polymeric core-shell particles dispersed in the aqueous carrier medium. The first polymer includes: (i) a barrier segment having aromatic groups and urethane linkages, urea linkages, or a combination thereof; and (ii) an elastomeric segment having a glass transition temperature of less than 0° C. The barrier segment can make up at least 30% of the first polymer, based on the total solids weight of the first polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion includes particles at least partially encapsulated in a microgel where the microgel is prepared from a hyperbranched acrylic polymer. In addition, a method for making an aqueous dispersion includes: (1) mixing in an aqueous medium: (a) particles, (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (c) a water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation; and (2) polymerizing the at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation to at least partially encapsulate the particles in a microgel.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion includes particles at least partially encapsulated in a microgel where the microgel is prepared from a hyperbranched acrylic polymer. In addition, a method for making an aqueous dispersion includes: (1) mixing in an aqueous medium: (a) particles, (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (c) a water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation; and (2) polymerizing the at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation to at least partially encapsulate the particles in a microgel.

Abstract: A barrier coating comprising a polyurethane dispersion and an elastomeric material is disclosed. The polyurethane comprises at least 30 weight percent of meta-substituted aromatic material. Methods for improving barrier using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: a) an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; and b) photosensitive polymeric microparticles dispersed in the organic continuous phase. The microparticles comprise an at least partially polymerized component having integral surface and interior domains, wherein the surface domain comprises a polymeric material that is solubilized by the organic solvent, the interior domain comprises a polymeric material that is insoluble in the organic solvent, and the surface domain and/or interior domain is photosensitive. Also described are methods of producing such non-aqueous dispersions, curable film-forming compositions containing them, and photosensitive coated substrates.

Abstract: Described are various methods of producing non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: (a) preparing one or more aqueous dispersions of a polymerizable component, at least one of which contains a photosensitive material and, wherein the polymerizable components comprise at least one hydrophilic functional group and/or at least one hydrophobic functional group; (b) subjecting the dispersion of (a) to conditions sufficient to form microparticles; (c) at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable component; (d) combining the dispersion with an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; (e) removing water from the dispersion such that the final water content of the non-aqueous dispersion is less than 30 percent by weight; wherein e) is performed before or after d); and (f) reacting any acid functional groups on the surface of the microparticles with a reactive material having at least one epoxy functional group, at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group, a

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for depositing an ultra thin coating that exhibits both low haze (high transparency) and strong color (high optical density at a given film thickness). Also disclosed are methods for making radiation curable coating compositions comprising polymer-enclosed particles that are suitable for producing ultra thin coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions suitable for producing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, articles comprising a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue deposited thereon, methods for preparing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, kits capable of producing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, and methods for color matching using powder coating compositions.

Abstract: Described are aqueous compositions of an effective amount of at least one photosensitive material and at least one polymerizable component that are adapted to at least partially form photosensitive microparticles or at least partially crosslinked photosensitive polymeric microparticles. The photosensitive polymeric microparticles are made of integral surface and interior domains wherein at least one of the surface and/or interior domains is photosensitive. Also described are aqueous dispersions of such microparticles, ways of producing such microparticles and photosensitive articles such as optical elements that incorporate the photosensitive polymeric microparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition.

Abstract: Described are various methods of producing non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: (a) preparing one or more aqueous dispersions of a polymerizable component, at least one of which contains a photosensitive material and, wherein the polymerizable components comprise at least one hydrophilic functional group and/or at least one hydrophobic functional group; (b) subjecting the dispersion of (a) to conditions sufficient to form microparticles; (c) at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable component; (d) combining the dispersion with an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; (e) removing water from the dispersion such that the final water content of the non-aqueous dispersion is less than 30 percent by weight; wherein e) is performed before or after d); and (f) reacting any acid functional groups on the surface of the microparticles with a reactive material having at least one epoxy functional group, at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group, a

Abstract: Described are non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: a) an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; and b) photosensitive polymeric microparticles dispersed in the organic continuous phase. The microparticles comprise an at least partially polymerized component having integral surface and interior domains, wherein the surface domain comprises a polymeric material that is solubilized by the organic solvent, the interior domain comprises a polymeric material that is insoluble in the organic solvent, and the surface domain and/or interior domain is photosensitive. Also described are methods of producing such non-aqueous dispersions, curable film-forming compositions containing them, and photosensitive coated substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition.

Abstract: A barrier coating comprising a polyurethane dispersion and an elastomeric material is disclosed. The polyurethane comprises at least 30 weight percent of meta-substituted aromatic material. Methods for improving barrier using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are tinted, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising polymer-enclosed color-imparting particles. Also disclosed are methods for making such a composition and substrates at least partially coated with a hard coat deposited from such a composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of dispensing thermoset powder coating compositions comprising a colorant, a particulate film-forming resin, and a curing agent for the film-forming resin, methods of coating substrates with powder coating compositions dispensed according to such methods, and systems for dispensing such powder compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for depositing an ultra thin coating that exhibits both low haze (high transparency) and strong color (high optical density at a given film thickness). Also disclosed are methods for making radiation curable coating compositions comprising polymer-enclosed particles that are suitable for producing ultra thin coatings.