Coating composition and coated article
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJohn F. Carroll, Jr., David A. Feindel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Paint compositions which contain stretchable polymers and reflective metal flakes are used to form stretchable films for the thermoforming of protective and decorative films on various articles, including automobile panels. The use of low melting metallic flakes improves the retention of gloss when the films are stretched during thermoforming.
Claims14
A fluid paint composition for forming a dried paint film useful in a thermoforming process in which the film is stretched and bonded to a three-dimensional substrate to form a decorative coating having a high degree of geometric metamerism, said composition comprising
- (a) a liquid medium,
- (b) a film-forming polymer, and
- (c) dispersed in said liquid medium,
- low-melting reflective flakes of an alloy having a melting point between about 50 degrees C. higher than the thermoforming temperature and about 5 degrees C. higher than the highest temperature to which the bonded film is subjected in normal use and wherein the melting point of the alloy is from about 95 to 200 degrees C.
A flexible and stretchable sheet material adapted for use in a thermoforming process in which it is stretched and bonded to a three-dimensional substrate to form thereon a decorative coating exhibiting a high degree of geometric metamerism, said sheet material comprising:
- (1) a thin, essentially planar, stretchable, thermoplastic polymeric carrier film of substantially uniform thickness;
- said carrier film having heat-softening and tensile elongation properties which adapt it to use in said thermoforming process;
- and
- (2) a thin paint layer of substantially uniform thickness on one surface of said thermoplastic polymeric carrier film, said paint layer comprising colorant and reflective flakes incorporated in a film-forming binder;
- having heat-softening and tensile elongation properties that are compatible with those of said carrier film so as to permit elongation, whereby said sheet material can undergo substantial elongation by the application of stretching forces without crazing or delamination of said paint layer;
- and said reflective flakes being formed of an alloy having a melting point between about 50 degrees C. higher than the thermoforming temperature and about 5 degrees C. higher than the highest temperature to which the sheet material bonded to the substrate is subjected in normal use and wherein the melting point of the alloy is from about 95 to 200 degrees C.
A bonded article comprising a thermoformed and stretched protective and decorative film layer bonded to a substrate, said layer comprising a stretchable thermoplastic polymer having dispersed therein low-melting reflective flakes formed of an alloy having a melting point between about 50 degrees C. higher than the temperature at which the film is thermoformed and about 5 degrees C. higher than the highest temperature to which the bonded film and substrate will be subjected in normal use and wherein the melting point of the alloy is from about 95 to 200 degrees C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.