Abstract: A block copolymer including a block of residues of a low surface tension (meth)acrylate monomer; a block of residues of a monomer free of hydroxyl group and amine group residues; and, optionally, a third block of residues of a monomer free of hydroxyl groups and amine groups. The first, second and third blocks are made of different residues from each other and the block copolymer has a polydispersity index of less than 2.5. A controlled radical polymerization method is disclosed to make the low surface tension block copolymers. The method includes the steps of sequentially adding a first monomer composition that is free of hydroxyl groups and amine groups and a second monomer composition that includes the low surface tension monomer to a suitable atom transfer radical polymerization initiator and polymerizing the monomer compositions to form a block copolymer.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition that includes a first reactant having functional groups; a second reactant having functional groups coreactive with the functional groups of the first reactant; and a block copolymer flow control agent. The block copolymer includes a first block made up of residues of a radically polymerizable fluoroalkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, a second block made up of residues of a second radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally a third block made up of residues of a third radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The first, second and third blocks are made of different residues from each other and the block copolymer has a polydispersity index of less than 2.5. Also disclosed is a method of coating a substrate including the steps of applying the present thermosetting composition to the substrate; coalescing the thermosetting composition to form a substantially continuous film; and curing said thermosetting composition by the application of heat.

Abstract: A block copolymer including a block of residues of a low surface tension (meth)acrylate monomer; a block of residues of a monomer free of hydroxyl group and amine group residues; and, optionally, a third block of residues of a monomer free of hydroxyl groups and amine groups. The first, second and third blocks are made of different residues from each other and the block copolymer has a polydispersity index of less than 2.5. A controlled radical polymerization method is disclosed to make the low surface tension block copolymers. The method includes the steps of sequentially adding a first monomer composition that is free of hydroxyl groups and amine groups and a second monomer composition that includes the low surface tension monomer to a suitable atom transfer radical polymerization initiator and polymerizing the monomer compositions to form a block copolymer.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition that includes a first reactant having functional groups; a second reactant having functional groups coreactive with the functional groups of the first reactant; and a block copolymer flow control agent. The block copolymer includes a first block made up of residues of a radically polymerizable fluoroalkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, a second block made up of residues of a second radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally a third block made up of residues of a third radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The first, second and third blocks are made of different residues from each other and the block copolymer has a polydispersity index of less than 2.5. Also disclosed is a method of coating a substrate including the steps of applying the present thermosetting composition to the substrate; coalescing the thermosetting composition to form a substantially continuous film; and curing said thermosetting composition by the application of heat.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion which includes a pigment, an aqueous carrier and a pigment dispersant. The pigment dispersant is prepared by controlled radical polymerization initiated in the presence of a monomeric initiator having at least two radically transferable groups. The pigment dispersant has at least one of the following polymer chain structures: &phgr;-[(G)p—(E)s—T]z and &phgr;-[(E)3—(G)p—T]z where G is a hydrophobic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; E is a hydrophilic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; &phgr; is a residue of or derived from the initiator, and is free of the radically transferable group; T is or is derived from the radically transferable group of the initiator; z is 2 to 10; p and s are at least one and are selected such that the pigment dispersant has a number average molecular weight of at least 500.

Abstract: Block copolymers containing at least two blocks are provided and comprise: (a) a first block containing residues of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality, e.g., 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, and a minor amount of at least one hydroxy functional ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer, e.g., hydroxypropyl methacrylate; and (b) a second block containing residues of at least one second ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality, e.g., iso-butyl methacrylate, and a minor amount of at least one hydroxy functional ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer. The calculated Tg of the second monomer of the block copolymer is at least 20° C. greater than the calculated Tg of the first monomer.

Abstract: A copolymer having utility in coating compositions comprises the addition polymerization product of an alpha-olefin monocarboxylic acid having at least 8 carbon atoms (articularly undecylenic acid) and a mono- or di-ester of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride (e.g., dialkyl maleate). The copolymer may be provided with hydroxy functionality by reacting the carboxylic acid functionality with an epoxy compound to permit use in curable coatings. Alternatively the copolymer may be base neutralized to serve as a surfactant in aqueous dispersion polymerization.

Abstract: Thermosetting coating compositions, e.g., powder coating compositions, are provided and comprise: (a) a first reactant having functional groups, e.g., an epoxide functional (meth)acrylic polymer; (b) a second reactant having functional groups that are co-reactive with the functional groups of the first reactant, e.g., a carboxylic acid functional crosslinking agent; and (c) a polymeric flow control agent. The flow control agent is a block copolymer prepared by controlled radical polymerization and comprises: (i) a first block containing residues of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality; and (ii) a second block containing residues of at least one second ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable monomer that is free of hydroxy functionality. The second monomer of the flow control agent has a calculated Tg of at least 20° C. greater than that of the first monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed are curable compositions such as adhesives and coatings containing as an adhesion promoter N-acyl amino acids having the structure: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1, R.sup.1 is an alkyl or aryl group having from one to 10 carbon atoms optionally including --COOH, R.sup.2 is an alkylene or arylene group having from one to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 is H, --COOH, alkyl or aryl groups having from one to 10 carbon atoms, or carboxyl-substituted alkyl or aryl groups having from one to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A copolymer having utility in coating compositions comprises the addition polymerization product of an alpha-olefin monocarboxylic acid having at least 8 carbon atoms (particularly undecylenic acid) and a mono- or di-ester of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride (e.g., dialkyl maleat). The copolymer may be provided with hydroxy functionality by reacting the carboxylic acid functionality with an epoxy compound to permit use in curable coatings. Alternatively the copolymer may be base neutralized to serve as a surfactant in aqueous dispersion polymerization.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprised of a film forming polymer which is the reaction product of (a) a compound containing pendant and/or terminal hydroxyl or epoxy functional groups and (b) citric acid or citric acid anhydride. The coating compositions have enhanced adhesion to galvanized and galvanealed steel substrates without the use of a chrome containing wash primer.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of urethane polymers and vinyl polymers (e.g., acrylics) are disclosed that provide water-based coating compositions with good adhesion following humidity exposure. The dispersion is predominately urethane, and the polyurethane is made from a first and a second polyisocyanate, the first polyisocyanate having at least one open carbon chain greater than six carbon atoms in length between two isocyanate groups, preferably at least eight carbon atoms in length. The vinyl monomers are polymerized in the presence of the aqueously dispersed polyurethane.

Abstract: A coating composition is disclosed that comprises (a) a copolymer comprising alternating units of a vinyl monomer and an unsaturated diester monomer in which at least one of the esterifying groups includes a hydroxyl group, and (b) a hydroxy group-reactive curing agent. The diester monomer is formed by first opening an anhydride with an alcohol to form a monoester, and then alkoxylating the remaining acid group on the monoester with an epoxy compound to form a second ester group having hydroxyl functionality.

Abstract: A copolymer with an acid value less than one contains alternating units of a vinyl monomer and a diester of a dicarboxylic acid wherein at least one of the esterifying groups contains a polyether group. The copolymer is particularly useful in preparing pigment dispersions for coating compositions. Such compositions exhibit properties including reduced pigment settling and improved metallic flake orientation, flow and leveling.

Abstract: A plastisol based composition contains:(a) a copolymer of an aliphatic olefinically unsaturated material and an anhydride containing material; and(b) a polyvinyl chloride plastisol.The composition is particularly suitable for use as a sealant.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions are provided including a thermosetting or thermoplastic particulate resinous material and as a flow modifier, a copolymer of maleic anhydride or a substituted maleic anhydride and a copolymerizable material selected from among cycloalkenes and aliphatic olefins, with said copolymer optionally chemically modified with a primary amine or alcohol. Such flow modifiers can provide the cured coating with recoat adhesion and crater control.

Abstract: A polyurethane polyanhydride oligomer is disclosed as well as a process for its preparation. The process involves the following steps:(a) reacting a hydroxyl functional 2,4-dienoate ester with a polyisocyanate under conditions sufficient to react essentially all of the isocyanate groups to form a polyurethane polyene; and(b) reacting by Diels Alder addition the unsaturated double bonds of the polyurethane polyene with an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid anhydride containing material. Also disclosed is a curable composition containing hydroxyl functional material and the aforedescribed polyurethane polyanhydride oligomer.

Abstract: A stable emulsion polymer is prepared by the emulsion polymerization of a vinyl monomer component in the presence of a base neutralized copolymer having a peak molecular weight not exceeding 50,000 of an olefinically unsaturated material selected from the group consisting of 1-decene, 1-dodecene, undecenylic acid and mixtures thereof and an ethylenically unsaturated anhydride containing material. The emulsion polymer is particularly useful for preparing coating compositions which have excellent physical properties.

Abstract: A polyurethane polyanhydride oligomer is disclosed as well as a process for its preparation. The process involves the following steps:(a) reacting a hydroxyl functional 2,4-dienoate ester with a polyisocyanate under conditions sufficient to react essentially all of the isocyanate groups to form a polyurethane polyene; and(b) reacting by Diels Alder addition the unsaturated double bonds of the polyurethane polyene with an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid anhydride containing material. Also disclosed is a curable composition containing a hydroxyl functional material and the aforedescribed polyurethane polyanhydride oligomer.

Abstract: Curable, high solids, liquid coating compositions are disclosed. The resinous binder comprises a copolymer of an alpha-olefin or cycloolefin and an olefinically unsaturated monoanhydride which may include a half-ester thereof. The coating compositions are useful as clear coats in color-plus-clear automotive coatings and have good humidity resistance and mar resistance.