The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of contacting an aqueous dispersion of swelled polymer particles with a rheology modifier and a binder to form a coatings composition with a VOC of less than 50 g/L. The swelled polymer particles arise from neutralization of alkali swellable polymer particles having a high acid core content and a low T.sub.g shell. The composition arising from the process of the present invention is useful for improving open time, especially for low VOC coatings applications.

Disclosed herein is an aqueous latex composition comprising a substantially acrylic core-shell latex, wherein a water-retaining monomer is copolymerized to the shell. The Tg of the core ranges from about 0° C. to about 12° C., and the Tg of the shell ranges from about 13° C. to about 40° C. The mean volume average particle size of the latex ranges from about 125 nm to about 200 nm. The core-shell latex comprises at least one acrylic monomer having a solubility that ranges about 10 g/L to about 30 g/L at 30° C., and this at least one acrylic monomer is present in the shell polymer in an amount greater than about 50 wt. % of all monomers in the shell. Preferably, the at least one acrylic monomer is methyl methacrylate.

The wet adhesion of a coating composition may be improved through the use of voided latex particles as opacifying agents which contain a hollow interior as well as an outer shell of a polymer containing functional groups such as amino, 1,3-diketo, urea or ureido. Other types of functional groups may be introduced to the outer shell polymer in order to vary other desired characteristics of the coating. The voided latex particles are non-film-forming.

The present invention relates to a waterborne dispersion comprising (A) amphiphilic block copolymer obtained with a controlled radical polymerization process and comprising at least blocks [A] and [B], whereby block [A] comprises ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) bearing water-soluble and/or water-dispersible functional groups (monomer(s) (i)), and block [B] comprises ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) different from monomer(s) (i) (monomer(s) (ii)); and (B) polymer P comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) different from (i) (monomer(s) (ii)), characterized in that the amount of block copolymer is higher than 1 and lower than 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of monomers used to prepare the block copolymer and polymer P; the acid value of the composition consisting of block copolymer and polymer P is higher than 1 and at most 35 mg KOH per g of the block copolymer-polymer P composition; the block copolymer has a calculated glass transition temperature of higher than 10° C. and lower than 250° C.; and polymer P comprises at least 20 wt. % (relative to the total monomer composition to prepare the polymer P) of a polymer fraction with calculated glass transition temperature higher than 10° C. and lower than 100° C.

The present invention is related to water-borne polymers polymerized by radical polymerization with azo initiators, a process for making the polymers and the application thereof. The polymers polymerized with azo initiators show superior water-whitening resistance and scrub resistance, which are desired properties for coatings applications.

Disclosed herein is an aqueous latex composition comprising a substantially acrylic core-shell latex, wherein a water-retaining monomer is copolymerized to the shell. The Tg of the core ranges from about 0° C. to about 12° C., and the Tg of the shell ranges from about 13° C. to about 40° C. The mean volume average particle size of the latex ranges from about 125 nm to about 200 nm. The core-shell latex comprises at least one acrylic monomer having a solubility that ranges about 10 g/L to about 30 g/L at 30° C., and this at least one acrylic monomer is present in the shell polymer in an amount greater than about 50 wt. % of all monomers in the shell. Preferably, the at least one acrylic monomer is methyl methacrylate.

There is described an aqueous coating composition, the aqueous coating composition comprising an acrylic polyester resin, obtainable by grafting an acrylic polymer and a polyester material, the polyester material being obtainable by polymerizing: (i) a polyacid component, with (ii) a polyol component. At least one of the polyacid component and/or the polyol component comprises a functional monomer operable to impart functionality on to the polyester resin, such that an acrylic polymer may be grafted with the polyester material via the use of said functionality. The coating composition further containing a crosslinking material, wherein the crosslinking material comprises material according to formula (I); as shown in claim 1; wherein R.sub.1 is selected from aryl (such as C.sub.4 to C.sub.24 aryl), or aralkyl (such as C.sub.5 to C.sub.25 aralkyl); R.sub.2 to R.sub.5 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl (such as C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl), aryl (such as C.sub.4 to C.sub.24 aryl), aralkyl (such as C.sub.5 to C.sub.25 aralkyl) or —CHR.sub.8OR.sub.9; wherein R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl (such as C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl), aryl (such as C.sub.4 to C.sub.24 aryl), aralkyl (such as C.sub.5 to C.sub.25 aralkyl), alkoxyalkyl (such as C.sub.2 to C.sub.40 alkoxyalkyl) or an alkaryl (such as C.sub.5 to C.sub.25 alkaryl); wherein at least one of R.sub.2 to R.sub.5, is —CHR.sub.8OR.sub.9, suitably all of R.sub.2 to R.sub.5, are —CHR.sub.8OR.sub.9.

A modified polymer including (a) a main chain containing a fluorine-containing polymer and (b) a side chain represented by the following formula (b1′) and/or a side chain represented by the following formula (b2′). The formula (b1′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b1(—X)—C(═O)—Y—Z—Rf, wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a halogen atom; Y is —O— or —NH—; Z is a direct bond or a divalent organic group; Rf is a C1-C20 fluoroalkyl group; and R.sup.b1 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group. The formula (b2′) is —CH.sub.2—CR.sup.b2(—R.sup.1)—C(═O)—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—[O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2].sub.n—O—Si(—CH.sub.3).sub.2—R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.b2 is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and n is 3 to 200.

To provide a resin composition, which has both a thermosetting property and active energy curability, satisfactory performances, and excellent performances including handleability of being inexpensive without having a concern about a short pot life after blending with a thermal cross-linking agent as in the related art. The curable resin composition contains: a resin component (A) containing a (meth)acryloyl group (a), a hydroxy group (b), and an alkyl ester group (c); and an initiator (B).

The present invention is directed to a coating composition or paint comprising a polymer system including one or more latex polymers, wherein the acid content and molecular weight of the latex polymers are balanced to provide a coating composition that demonstrates optimal performance characteristics of washability or stain resistance, especially when used in a flat finish paint.