The present invention is directed to a curable photochromic composition including (a) a photochromic compound; (b) a segmented polymer having active hydrogen groups, at least one first segment, and at least one second segment, wherein (i) each first segment independently includes a fluorinated polymer segment, and (ii) each second segment independently includes a segment selected from a polycarbonate segment, a polyester segment, a polyether segment, a polyurethane segment, and a segment of copolymers thereof; and (c) a curing agent having reactive functional groups that are reactive with the active hydrogen groups of the segmented polymer, wherein the curing agent includes at least one of a polyisocyanate, a polyisothiocyanate, or an aminoplast. Also provided are photochromic films and articles, including multilayer articles, which include the curable photochromic composition.

The present invention is directed to a curable photochromic composition including (a) a photochromic compound; (b) a segmented polymer having active hydrogen groups, at least one first segment, and at least one second segment, wherein (i) each first segment independently includes a fluorinated polymer segment, and (ii) each second segment independently includes a segment selected from a polycarbonate segment, a polyester segment, a polyether segment, a polyurethane segment, and a segment of copolymers thereof; and (c) a curing agent having reactive functional groups that are reactive with the active hydrogen groups of the segmented polymer, wherein the curing agent includes at least one of a polyisocyanate, a polyisothiocyanate, or an aminoplast. Also provided are photochromic films and articles, including multilayer articles, which include the curable photochromic composition.

A multicolor dispersion comprising a protective composition and two or more colorant dispersions, wherein the protective composition comprises (1) an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising from 89% to 99.45% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the protective composition, of polymer particles, wherein said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles further comprises from 0.33% to 2% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the polymer, of an anionic stabilizer monomer represented by the following Formula I, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 is a linkage group between R.sub.2 and a vinyl group, R.sub.2 is ethylene or propene or butylene, n is from 0 to 50, M is a counter salt of potassium, sodium, ammonium or lithium; wherein said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles further comprises from 0.33% to 5% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the polymer, of a non-reactive anionic surfactant having an ethylene oxide chain length of less than 11; and (2) from 0.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the protective composition, of a clay.

A multicolor dispersion comprising a protective composition and two or more colorant dispersions, wherein the protective composition comprises (1) an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising from 89% to 99.45% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the protective composition, of polymer particles, wherein said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles further comprises from 0.33% to 2% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the polymer, of an anionic stabilizer monomer represented by the following Formula I, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 is a linkage group between R.sub.2 and a vinyl group, R.sub.2 is ethylene or propene or butylene, n is from 0 to 50, M is a counter salt of potassium, sodium, ammonium or lithium; wherein said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles further comprises from 0.33% to 5% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the polymer, of a non-reactive anionic surfactant having an ethylene oxide chain length of less than 11; and (2) from 0.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the protective composition, of a clay.

The present invention relates to the use of coating compositions, comprising shaped transition metal, especially silver, particles and a binder, wherein the ratio of pigment to binder is preferably such that the resulting coating shows an angle dependent colour change, for the production of security elements and holograms. When the coating compositions of the present invention are used in coating a hologram the obtained products show a an angle dependent colour change (flip/flop effect), different colours in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright OVD image and extremely strong rainbow effect, high purity and contrast.

The present invention relates to the use of coating compositions, comprising shaped transition metal, especially silver, particles and a binder, wherein the ratio of pigment to binder is preferably such that the resulting coating shows an angle dependent colour change, for the production of security elements and holograms. When the coating compositions of the present invention are used in coating a hologram the obtained products show a an angle dependent colour change (flip/flop effect), different colours in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright OVD image and extremely strong rainbow effect, high purity and contrast.

A method for forming a multilayer coating film comprising the steps of: (1) applying a base paint (X) to a substrate to form a base coating film, (2) applying an effect pigment dispersion (Y) to the base coating film formed in step (1) to form an effect coating film, (3) applying a clear paint (Z) to the effect coating film formed in step (2) to form a clear coating film, and (4) heating the uncured base coating film, the uncured effect coating film, and the uncured clear coating film formed in steps (1) to (3) to thereby simultaneously cure these three coating films; wherein the effect pigment dispersion (Y) contains water, a black pigment (A), a vapor deposition metal flake pigment (B), and a rheology control agent (C).

A method for forming a multilayer coating film comprising the steps of: (1) applying a base paint (X) to a substrate to form a base coating film, (2) applying an effect pigment dispersion (Y) to the base coating film formed in step (1) to form an effect coating film, (3) applying a clear paint (Z) to the effect coating film formed in step (2) to form a clear coating film, and (4) heating the uncured base coating film, the uncured effect coating film, and the uncured clear coating film formed in steps (1) to (3) to thereby simultaneously cure these three coating films; wherein the effect pigment dispersion (Y) contains water, a black pigment (A), a vapor deposition metal flake pigment (B), and a rheology control agent (C).

A composition comprising at least an electron-donating color-developing organic compound, an electron-accepting compound, and a color development regulator that hampers the color development by the electron-donating color-developing organic compound and the electron-accepting compound, wherein the color development regulator is hydrophilic, and the composition can change the color thereof in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid. A coloring agent comprising the composition, which composition is retained or carried by a specified microbody and can change its color in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid, wherein the specified microbody allowing water or a water-containing liquid to come into contact with the retained or carried composition.

A composition comprising at least an electron-donating color-developing organic compound, an electron-accepting compound, and a color development regulator that hampers the color development by the electron-donating color-developing organic compound and the electron-accepting compound, wherein the color development regulator is hydrophilic, and the composition can change the color thereof in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid. A coloring agent comprising the composition, which composition is retained or carried by a specified microbody and can change its color in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid, wherein the specified microbody allowing water or a water-containing liquid to come into contact with the retained or carried composition.