Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer which may be at least one of polycarbonates, polyesters and ABS and ASA copolymers, and a resinous coating layer which contains resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate/terephthalate ester units. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Multilayer articles are disclosed which comprise: a substrate layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, cellulosic material, glass, or metal, and at least one coating layer thereon, said coating layer comprising at least one stabilizer additive and a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, prepared by an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate/terephthalate ester units. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: Predicting material color shifts due to weathering. A color formulation tool determines the concentration of colorants from a color standard. The color formulation tool obtains weathered optical parameters for the color standard from a color database and predicts the color of the color standard from the colorant concentrations and weathered optical parameters.

Abstract: Block copolyestercarbonates may be prepared by first conducting a reaction between at least one of resorcinol or an alkyl- or haloresorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride, preferably isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof, to produce a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate, and then conducting a reaction of the intermediate with a carbonate precursor, preferably in the presence of a dihydroxy compound such as bisphenol A. The products have excellent physical properties, including a high degree of weatherability. They may be blended with other polymers such as polycarbonates, poly(alkylene carboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers to improve the weatherability thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the rapid determination of the light-induced degradation of polymeric materials and coatings. In a preferred embodiment of this method, samples are exposed to UV light and fluorescence emission spectral data are collected and fluorescence properties such as wavelength, intensity, lifetime, and polarization are monitored for changes, which in turn are an indication of the weatherability of a given sample.

Abstract: Multilayer articles are disclosed which comprise: a substrate layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, cellulosic material, glass, or metal, and at least one coating layer thereon, said coating layer comprising at least one stabilizer additive and a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, prepared by an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting chemiluminescence from polymer samples at various temperatures are described. The method enables rapid parallel determination of the heat-stability, light-stability, and oxidative stability of polymer samples as a function of their composition. The method is particularly useful for determining the stability of polymer compositions forming combinatorial libraries.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention is a polycarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment the present invention is a method for making a polycarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydric phenol and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof, which comprises the step of contacting under reactive conditions at least one dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof. In still another embodiment the present invention is an article comprising a polycarbonate comprising oxanilide structural units.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention is a polycarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment the present invention is a method for making a polycarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydric phenol and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof, which comprises the step of contacting under reactive conditions at least one dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxanilide-comprising compound, an oxamate-comprising compound, and mixtures thereof. In still another embodiment the present invention is an article comprising a polycarbonate comprising oxanilide structural units.

Abstract: A method for preparing novel dibenzoylresorcinol-based compounds is disclosed, wherein the dibenzoylresorcinol is bonded to a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group which does not include a pendent hydroxyl group. The groups attached to the dibenzoylresorcinol may contain a wide variety of functional sites which permit further reaction, e.g., copolymerization. The described compounds are very useful as UV light absorbers and may be used to form improved coating compositions which usually include a transparent, polymeric matrix material. The coating compositions may be applied to various substrates, e.g., thermoplastics, to afford a selection of enhanced properties, such as UV light resistance and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Thermoplastic substrates subject to color instability and loss of physical properties resulting from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as polycarbonate, are coated with a protective coating comprising at least one thermoplastic acrylic polymer such as poly(methyl methacrylate) in combination with two ultraviolet absorbing compounds: a substituted resorcinol such as 4,6-dibenzoylresorcinol and a silylated substituted resorcinol such as 2-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-4,6-dibenzoylresorcinol. The silylated substituted resorcinol is used in a minor proportion effective to improve solubility and compatibility of the substituted resorcinol.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a celluosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Weatherability of polycarbonates, or of blends of polycarbonates with other polymers such as polyesters, is improved by incorporating therein a thermoplastic arylate polymer comprising units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. These units may be combined with units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol ester of a C.sub.4-12 aliphatic, alicyclic or mixed aliphatic-alicyclic dicarboxylic acid, such as sebacic acid.