Abstract: The polymeric pigment dispersants of this invention are polyester/acrylic comb polymers which are the reaction product of 20-85% of a carboxylic functional polyester copolymer, 10-50% of an oxirane substituted acrylic copolymer, and 2 to 20% of an imide compound. These materials disperse a wide variety of pigments and are useful in solvent borne coatings where they can provide improved efficiency of pigment use, lower paint viscosity, and reduced emission of volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: A coating composition primarily used as a clear coat of a clearcoat/color coat automotive finish; the composition has a film forming binder solids content of about 30-70% by weight contains about(A) 50-80% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of an acrylic polymer of polymerized monomers of styrene, and two methacrylate monomers and a hydroxy alkyl methacrylate or acrylate each having 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of about 1,000-12,000 and a calculated Tg of at least 40.degree. C. and(B) 1-20% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a polyol component and(C) 10-49% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of an organic polyisocyanate.

Abstract: Crosslinkable coatings that contain a polyol component which is a caprolactone oligomer containing a cycloaliphatic moiety having improved properties, especially lower viscosity and improved coating hardness, and are useful for coating metals and plastics.

Abstract: A blend of a softer continuous phase polymer reinforced with harder acrylic star polymer particles having reactive functional groups with crosslinking ability built in or provided by a third polymer. The harder polymer has a T.sub.g at least 10.degree. C. above that of the softer polymer, and the acrylic star polymer is preferably made by group transfer polymerization. This blend provides coating compositions, films and bulk polymer with enhanced toughness and flexibility.

Abstract: A curable silane resin, and a process for making same, having at least one of two units selected from the group consisting of a prepolymer (C) and a prepolymer (F); the prepolymer (C) having the formula (I): ##STR1## and the prepolymer (F) having the formula (III): ##STR2##The curable resin of our invention has excellent flexibility, solvent resistance and adhesion to organic materials. Furthermore our process for preparing the resin is simpler, more easily reproducible, and results in less unwanted by-prodducts than earlier processes for preparing similar silane resins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of polymerizing acrylic esters and, more specifically, to initiators which are useful therein.

Abstract: A probe for sensing the mechanical application of force is described wherein the terminus of at least one optical fiber is provided at a preselected distance from a reflective surface. The reflective surface is reciprocatively mounted relative to the fiber wherein application of steady mechanical force to the reflective surface mounting means causes the reflective surface to move closer to the fiber terminus. A light source and reflected light intensity sensing means are provided. The probe is desensitized to pressure differentials across the fiber terminus-reflective surface distance by providing an atmospheric vent to the space to be sensed. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter-sheathed optical fiber and reflective surface mounting means are used to detect impending incontinence whose onset is signalled to a health care provider by an audible alarm.

Abstract: A coating composition that forms a flexible finish and is used primarily as a clear finish over a colored or pigmented finish that are applied to flexible substrates of automobile and truck bodies; the composition contains as the film forming binder (1) a branched aliphatic polyester urethane which is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a branched aliphatic polyester and (2) preferably a methylated and butylated melamine formaldehyde crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in the (co)polymerization of an isocyanate-containing monomer, e.g., an isocyanatoalkyl methacrylate, forming a product of very low residual toxic monomeric isocyanate (less than 500 ppm) useful in avoiding air pollution. The improvement consists in adding a scavenger, a small amount of an active nonpolluting monomer such as butyl acrylate, near the end of the polymerization.

Abstract: An automatic optical inspection method apparatus wherein optical preprogramming means are utilized to designate the locations of reference features on a reference object, and to instruct the system regarding the reference feature characteristics, and of reference feature parameters, the automatic optical inspection apparatus is then utilizing information obtained from the optical pre-programming means to analyze image data obtained from objects under inspection, the apparatus initially obtaining a larger amount of optical imaging data and systematically thereafter reducing the quantity of such data by appropriate signal processing and gating, so that an accept or reject decision is based upon a small portion of the originally obtained data.

Abstract: Articles comprising a substrate coated with selected isocyanatoalkyl (meth)acrylate polymers or copolymers, e.g., a copolymer of 2-isocyanatoalkyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, are claimed.

Abstract: Low molecular weight isocyanate-functional acrylic polymers prepared by direct reaction of the monomers, e.g., 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, in the presence of a mercaptan chain-transfer agent are good coating materials applicable to a substrate as by spraying and curable by contact with moisture.

Abstract: Low molecular weight polydisperse isocyanate-functional acrylic polymers are prepared by direct reaction of the monomers, e.g., 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, in the presence of a mercaptan chain-transfer agent and a polymerization initiator but in the substantial absence of water and of Lewis-type bases.

Abstract: Low molecular weight polydisperse isocyanate-functional acrylic polymers are provided which contain terminal monosulfide groups on at least 10% by number of polymer molecules but are substantially free of toxic monomeric isocyanates.The polymers are prepared by direct reaction of the monomers, e.g., 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, in the presence of a mercaptan chain-transfer agent and a polymerization initiator but in the substantial absence of water and of Lewis-type bases. They can be crosslinked and are useful in a variety of applications such as moisture-curing coating compositions.

Abstract: A polymer blend of(1) up to 40% by weight of a polymer of repeating units of -A- of hard acrylic segment and(2) at least 60% by weight of block polymer of the repeating units -A-B-A- wherein [A] is of a hard acrylic segment having a glass transition temperature of 25.degree. C. and above; and [B] is a segment of the formula ##STR1## where R is an alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms;R.sup.1 is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic group;R.sup.2 is a polyester or a polyalkylene ether segment andn is from 0-10.The polymer is useful in coating compositions, in particular, coating compositions for flexible hydrocarbon rubber and polyvinyl chloride substrates used in automobiles and trucks.

Abstract: A graft copolymer having a polymeric backbone with pendent hydroxyl groups; wherein the hydrogen atom of at least the one the hydroxyl groups is replaced by the formula ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group; R.sup.1 is an alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a polymer segment of a vinyl addition polymer, such as butyl acrylate/hydroxyethyl acrylate; coating compositions of this copolymer can be cross-linked with conventional cross-linking agents such as an alkylated melamine formaldehyde resin or an organic polyisocyanate and coating compositions useful for flexible elastomeric substrates can be prepared from this copolymer.

Abstract: A graft copolymer having a polymeric backbone with pendent hydroxyl groups; wherein the hydrogen atom of at least the one the hydroxyl groups is replaced by the formula ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group; R.sup.1 is an alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a polymer segment of a vinyl addition polymer, such as butyl acrylate/hydroxyethyl acrylate; coating compositions of this copolymer can be cross-linked with conventional cross-linking agents such as an alkylated melamine formaldehyde resin or an organic polyisocyanate and coating compositions useful for flexible elastomeric substrates can be prepared from this copolymer.

Abstract: A graft copolymer having a polymeric backbone with pendent hydroxyl groups; wherein the hydrogen atom of at least the one the hydroxyl groups is replaced by the formula ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group; R.sup.1 is an alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a polymer segment of a vinyl addition polymer, such as butyl acrylate/hydroxyethyl acrylate; coating compositions of this copolymer can be cross-linked with conventional cross-linking agents such as an alkylated melamine formaldehyde resin or an organic polyisocyanate and coating compositions useful for flexible elastomeric substrates can be prepared from this copolymer.

Abstract: A graft copolymer having a polymeric backbone with pendent hydroxyl groups; wherein the hydrogen atom of at least the one the hydroxyl groups is replaced by the formula ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group; R.sup.1 is an alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a polymer segment of a vinyl addition polymer, such as butyl acrylate/hydroxyethyl acrylate; coating compositions of this copolymer can be cross-linked with conventional cross-linking agents such as an alkylated melamine formaldehyde resin or an organic polyisocyanate and coating compositions useful for flexible elastomeric substrates can be prepared from this copolymer.