Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating composition comprising a vinyl acrylic copolymer latex wherein said copolymer latex has a water contact angle of about 60° or higher on the dried latex film surface, wherein said copolymer latex further has a specific water vapor permeability of about 0.5 mg/cm2/mm/24 hr. The invention is also directed to the copolymer latex itself. Further, the invention is a method of improving a coating's ability to withstand a high humidity environment comprising adding a vinyl acrylic copolymer latex to the coating composition wherein said copolymer latex has a water contact angle of about 60° or higher on the dried latex film surface, and wherein said copolymer latex further has a specific water vapor permeability of about 0.5 mg/cm2/mm/24 hr.

Abstract: The invention relates to colorant compositions, and aqueous latex paints or other water-borne coatings made from them, which have a mitigated environmental impact. Levels of solvents, additives and impurities comprising volatile non-aqueous constituents, alkylphenol ethoxylates (and derivatives thereof), crystalline silica, and/or formaldehyde are decreased relative to those typical of preceding generations of colorants and tinted aqueous latex paints and other water-borne coatings. On the other hand, paint-performance as indicated by any of Stormer viscosity stabilization, rheological profile flow/leveling and sag resistance, water sensitivity and color transfer resistance is comparable to a paint in which the aforementioned solvents, additives and impurities are still present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grafted pigment dispersing polymeric additive for opacifying pigments, prepared by polymerizing monomers in the presence of a polymeric pigment dispersant. The polymeric pigment dispersant has low molecular weight, high acid number and is dissolvable in alkali solution. When incorporated into paint compositions, hiding is improved with less opacifying pigments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition comprising a treated latex polymer dispersion with less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers. The latex polymer dispersion can be treated by various means, including stripping and chasing, to remove unreacted monomers from the dispersion. Unreacted monomers significantly contribute to paint odor. In an innovative aspect of the present invention, the synergistic combination of the treated latex dispersion with pigments and other low or zero-VOC additives results in an aqueous coating composition with de minimis levels of volatile emissions, low odor, and paint performance comparable to premium latex paints.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hybrid latex polymer composition with one or more hydrophobic compound which is a solid or has a 50% distillation temperature of at least 200° C. and one or more matrix polymer, wherein the hydrophobic compound is entrapped in the structure of the matrix polymer. Further, the invention is a method of improving resistance to water staining and color rub-off in latex paints by including a hybrid latex polymer.

Abstract: A colorant composition containing a hydrophobic latex polymer component to impart resistance to water-softening and -staining in a paint film made from a latex paint formulated with the colorant composition, as well as the paint and paint film, and methods for making the foregoing.

Abstract: Water-borne cross-linking polymeric compositions and related embodiments, such as methods of making and using the compositions, as well as products formed with said compositions are described. For example, the water-borne composition may comprise polymers incorporating cross-linking functionality such as, but not limited to, carbonyl or epoxy functionality, and a blocked cross-linking agent, for example, a hydrazone. The cross-linking functionality does not react with the blocked cross-linking agent; however, the blocked cross-linking agent is capable of reacting with the alternative form cross-linking agent such as, but not limited to, a hydrazide, to yield a cross-linked polymer. The alternative form cross-linking agent may be formed in an equilibrium reaction including the blocked cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to colorant compositions, and aqueous latex paints or other water-borne coatings made from them, which have a mitigated environmental impact. Levels of solvents, additives and impurities comprising volatile non-aqueous constituents, alkylphenol ethoxylates (and derivatives thereof), crystalline silica, and/or formaldehyde are decreased relative to those typical of preceding generations of colorants and tinted aqueous latex paints and other water-borne coatings. On the other hand, paint-performance as indicated by any of Stormer viscosity stabilization, rheological profile flow/leveling and sag resistance, water sensitivity and color transfer resistance is comparable to a paint in which the aforementioned solvents, additives and impurities are still present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition comprising a treated latex polymer dispersion with less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers. The latex polymer dispersion can be treated by various means, including stripping and chasing, to remove unreacted monomers from the dispersion. Unreacted monomers significantly contribute to paint odor. In an innovative aspect of the present invention, the synergistic combination of the treated latex dispersion with pigments and other low or zero-VOC additives results in an aqueous coating composition with de minimis levels of volatile emissions, low odor, and paint performance comparable to premium latex paints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substrates and coating compositions disposed thereon containing improved ultraviolet degradation resistance. Specifically, these coating compositions can contain multiple UV protectants and can advantageously be used in transparent, semi-transparent, and/or translucent coatings on substrates, particularly opaque or semi-opaque substrates such as wood, e.g., in order to inhibit, to reduce, and/or to minimize UV degradation of said substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymer surfactants and their use in, e.g., coatings such as latex paint and solvent-based paint, and to a method of dispersing colored pigments using the copolymer surfactant, colorant compositions in which at least one pigment is dispersed by a copolymer surfactant of the invention, a paint which has a colorant composition of the invention, and a method for making a paint having a colorant composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers polymerized sequentially or in stages and having varied functionality and/or monomer content as the polymerization progresses, as well as the methods for making these polymers. The polymers according to the invention can advantageously be present in aqueous emulsion or latex form and can advantageously be used in paint compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymer surfactants and their use in, e.g., coatings such as latex paint and solvent-based paint, and to a method of dispersing colored pigments using the copolymer surfactant, colorant compositions in which at least one pigment is dispersed by a copolymer surfactant of the invention, a paint which has a colorant composition of the invention, and a method for making a paint having a colorant composition of the invention.