Flexible hydrophilic composite coatings

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a coating composition which includes a component A and component B. Component A is either an emulsion or dispersion having a hydrophobic elastomer stabilized with at lease one emulsifier. Component B is a dispersion or solution of a hydrophilic polymer which is insoluble in water, swellable in water and soluble in one or more water-miscible solvents. The hydrophobic elastomers may be polymers or copolymers of butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, styrene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, alkylacrylates and alkylmethacrylates; polyrethanes, polyureas, polysiloxanes, elastomeric polyamides and polyesters. The hydrophilic polymers may be segmented polyurethanes, segmented polyures, segmented polyesters, partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate), partially hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, partially aminolyzed polyacrylonitrile, and ethylene glycol monomethacrylate. An optional Component C may be included which could be organic diluents and plasticizers; surfactants; water-soluble polymeric additives; inorganic or organic salts; pigments; fillers; biocides; UV-absorbers; preservatives; and particulate covalently cross-linked hydrogels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.