Composite structure for the fluorimetric monitoring of functional coatings

A composite structure comprising a substrate bearing an adherent layer of a cured coating composition comprising a polymer having chemically bound thereto an effective amount of at least one pendent uvaphore that absorbs radiant energy of wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and emits radiant energy of .lambda..sub.2, .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 being wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths within the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the mean of the range of .lambda..sub.2 is above the mean of the range of .lambda..sub.1 in the electromagnetic spectrum, said uvaphore-bearing polymer having a product of molar extinction coefficient and quantum yield (.epsilon..phi.) with a value of at least 1,000, wherein said uvaphore is contained in a group having the formula ##STR19## wherein R is a group comprising at least one uvaphore and having a valence "a", the uvaphore being a polycyclic aromatic group and having two to four aromatic rings of which at least two are joined by a single bond or by fusion, the polycyclic aromatic compound absorbing radiant energy of wavelengths between 240 and 400 nm, emitting radiant energy below about 430 nm, no more than 30% of the emitted energy being above 400 nm, and having an (.epsilon..phi.) product of at least 1000,

• R.sup.2 is an alkylene or alkenylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
• Y is a carbon-to-carbon single bond or a divalent connecting group selected from the group consisting of a carbonyloxy group, ##STR20## a urethane group, ##STR21## a 3-oxy-2-hydroxypropoxy group, --OCH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.2 O--;
• and a silylethyl group;
• a is an integer having a value one;
• and
• b is one.