THERMOSET PAINT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: To obtain thermoset paint compositions with which paint films which have superior acid resistance, abrasion resistance and durability can be formed, and which have superior storage stability. Constitution: Thermoset paint compositions which contain a low polarity acrylic resin of hexane tolerance at least 100, being an esterification and polymerization reaction product of a monomer mixture comprising 10 - 70 % by weight of epoxy compound which has one epoxy group and which has no polymerizable unsaturated bond, 5 - 70 % by weight of vinyl monomer which has carboxyl groups and 5 - 85 % by weight of vinyl monomer which has no carboxylic acid group, and a hardening agent which reacts with hydroxy groups.

Description: Thermoset paint compositions This invention concerns thermoset paint compositions and, more precisely, it concerns thermoset paint compositions which are ideal as one-liquid type top-coat paints for automobiles In recent years, the occurrence of rain spotting due to acid rain has come to be regarded as a problem with automobile paint films for example, and a pressing need has arisen for the development of paints with superior acid resistance, abrasion resistance and durability. Paint compositions with improved acid resistance due to the compounding of crosslink-forming systems with paint film forming resins and hardening agents have been proposed for resolving such problems. For example, paint compositions, having hydroxy group containing acrylic resin and/or polyester resin, alkyl etherified me1amine resin, non-yellowing poly-functional blocked isocyanate and organo-tin based compound as the principal components with which paint films which have superior acid resistance and abrasion resistance are obtained by including a crosslinking reaction of the principal resin and crosslinking agent and taking the unreacted melamine resin and unreacted hydroxy groups into the crosslinks, have been disclosed in Japanese Patent okai H4-246483. However, these paint compositions present problems in that the permeability of hydrophilic substances such as acids into the paint film is high because the polarity of the acrylic resin or polyester resin which is the principal resin is high, and so it is difficult to obtain a high degree of acid resistance. Furthermore, paint compositions, having hydroxy group and carboxyl group containing acrylic resin, hydroxy group and epoxy group containing acrylic resin, amino resin and quaternary phosphoniu salt as the principal components with which paint films which have superior acid resistance, water resistance, scratching resistance and solvent resistance are obtained by supplementing the hardening reaction of the carboxyl groups and epoxy groups with a hardening reaction with hydroxy groups and amino groups have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai H3-275780. However, similar problems to those of the afore¬ mentioned paint compositions of Japanese Patent Kokai H4-246483 are also encountered with these paint compositions because of the high polarity of the principal resin. Problems to be Resolved by the Invention The aim of this present invention is to provide thermoset paint compositions with which paint films which have superior acid resistance, abrasion resistance and durability can be formed, and which have superior storage stability. Means of Resolving These Problems This present invention is the following thermoset paint composition. (1) Thermoset paint composition, characterized in that it contains: (A) acrylic resin of which the hexane tolerance is at least 100, being an esterification and polymerization reaction mixture of a monomer mixture comprising: (Al) 10 - 70% by weight epoxy compound which has one epoxy group and which has no polymerizable unsaturated bonds, (A2) 5 - 70% by weight vinyl type monomer which has carboxyl groups, and (A3) 5 - 70% by weight vinyl type monomer which has no carboxyl groups; and (B) hardening agent which reacts with hydroxy groups. (2) Paint composition, according to (l) above, characterized in that the hardening agent (B) is an amino resin and/or blocked isocyanate compound. (3) Paint composition, according to (1) or (2) above, characterized in that vinyl type monomer which has no carboxyl group (A3) is a vinyl type monomer which includes hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer which has a soft segment. In this specification the term " (meth)acryl" signifies ■ •acryl" and/or ••methacryl". The epoxy compound (Al) used in the invention is a compound which has one epoxy group (epoxy ring) in the molecule and which does not have a polymerizable unsaturated bond. It may contain other functional groups which do not have polymerizable double bonds, such as hydroxy groups, as well as the epoxy group, but those which do not contain such groups are preferred. Actual examples of the epoxy compound (Al) include varsatic acid glycidyl ester, p-tert- butylbenzoic acid glycidyl ester, tert-fatty acid glycidyl ester, styrene oxide, cyclohexane oxide, glycidol and alkyl glycidyl esters of carbon number 3 - 20, alkyl glycidyl ethers of carbon number 3 - 20, and phenyl glycidyl ethers. From among these, varsatic acid glycidyl ester and p-tert-butylbenzoic acid glycidyl ester, for example, are preferred. commercial products can be used for the epoxy compound (Al) . Actual examples of commercial products include Gaajura E10 (varsatic acid glycidyl ester, manufactured by the Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.), PES-10 (p- tert-butylbenzoic acid glycidyl ester, manufactured by the Fuso Kagaku Co.), Ekuateeto 9G, Ekuateeto 13G (tertiary fatty acid glycidyl esters, manufactured by the Idemitsu Sekiyo Kagaku Co.) and such like products. The epoxy compounds (Al) can be used individually, or they can be used in combinations of two or more types. The vinyl type monomers (A2) which have carboxyl groups used in this invention are compounds which have a polymerizable double bond and one or more carboxyl group(s) in the molecule. They may contain other functional groups as well as the carboxyl group, but those which do not contain such groups are preferred. The hydroxy group can be cited as an example of another type of functional group. Actual examples of vinyl type monomers (A2) which have carboxyl groups include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, propylacrylic acid, isopropylacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid half esters, itaconic acid half esters and acrylic acid di er. There are also the half esters with acid anhydrides, such as succinic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride and methylated hexahydrophthalic anhydride, of hydroxy groups containing vinyl monomers, such as glycerine (meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2- hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol mono-(meth)acrylate, ε- caprolactone adducts of methacrylic acid and ε- caprolactone adducts of acrylic acid. The vinyl type monomers (A2) can be used individually, or they can be used in combinations of two or more types. When the soft monomers, such as the ε-caprolactone adducts of acrylic acid, the ε-caprolactone adducts of methacrylic acid or acrylic acid dimer for example. from among the abovementioned (A2) components are used, this can also contribute to abrasion resistance. The vinyl type monomers (A3) which have no carboxyl group used in the invention are compounds which have double bonds which are copolymerizable with the aforementioned vinyl type monomers (A2) which have carboxyl groups, and they may contain functional groups. Groups other than the carboxyl group, such as the hydroxy group for example, can be cited as functional groups. Actual examples of vinyl monomers (A3) which have no carboxyl group include hydroxy group containing vinyl type monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hγdroxypropγl (meth)acrylate, 3- hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 1,4-butanediol mono(meth)acrylate, lactone adducts wherein a lactone such as ε-caprolactone has been added to these hydroxy group containing (meth)acrylates, and hydroxy group containing vinyl monomers such as alkylene oxide adducts wherein ethylene oxide or propylene oxide has been added to the abovementioned hydroxy group containing (meth)acrylates; and esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, such as methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, phenyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate and diethylamino (meth)acrylate (sic). Others include styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, methylolacrylamide, methylolmethacrylamide, vinyl chloride, propylene, ethylene and the C - C 10 α-olefins. The vinyl type monomers (A3) can be used individually, or they can be used in combinations of two or more types. If a hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer which has a soft segment (referred to hereinafter as a soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer) is used for some or all of the (A3) component then it is possible to improve the abrasion resistance of the paint film in addition to the acid resistance and durability. Here, a hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer which has a soft segment is a vinyl monomer in which there are at least four elements in a linear chain between the vinyl group and the hydroxy group, and in which the hydroxy group is located at the end of the compound. Actual examples of soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomers include 1,4-butanidiol mono- (meth)acrylate; lactone adducts wherein a lactone such as ε-caprolactone had been added to a hydroxy group containing (meth)acrylate, such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3- hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate or 1,4-butanediol mono- (meth)acrylate; and alkylene oxide adducts wherein an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide has been added to the abovementioned hydroxy group containing (meth)acrylates. From among these, the ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adducts of 2- hydroxyethyl (meth) crylate, and the ε-caprolactone adducts of 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and 1,4- butanediol mono(meth)acrylate, for example, are preferred. When such soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomers are used it is possible to impart elasticity to the paint film which is obtained and so it is possible to form paint films which are soft and have superior abrasion resistance. The soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomers can be used individually, or they can be used in combinations of two or more types. The acrylic resins (A) used in the invention are random copolymers obtained by the esterification and polymerization of the aforementioned three components (Al) , (A2) and (A3), and they are resins of which the hexane tolerance (referred to hereinafter as the HT) is at least 100, and preferably in the range 120 - 240. The acid resistance of the paint film becomes inadequate in those cases where an acrylic resin of which the hexane tolerance is less than 100 is used, and this is undesirable. The hexane tolerance is the value which indicates the number of grams of hexane which have been added when n-hexane is being added gradually to a dilute solution obtained by diluting 1 gram of resin one hundred times with acetone and the resin solution becomes turbid. The hexane tolerance is an index which indicates the polarity of the resin, and a high value indicates that the polarity of the resin is low. The acid resistance of a paint film increases as the polarity of the resin becomes lower. Hence, the acid resistance of the paint film is increased in this present invention by using an acrylic resin (A) of which the polarity with a hexane tolerance of the aforementioned value is low. The acrylic resin (A) used in the invention can be manufactured by subjecting a monomer mixture comprising the (A2) and (A3) components to a polymerization reaction in the presence of the aforementioned (Al) component, using a polymerization technique such as solution polymerization, for example, in the usual way. The proportion of each component used at this time is 10 - 70% by weight, and preferably 20 - 60% by weight, for component (Al) , 5 - 70% by weight, and preferably 5 - 50% by weight, for component (A2) , and 5 - 85% by weight, and preferably 20 - 85% by weight, for component (A3) . In those cases where a soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer is used for the (A3) component in order to improve the abrasion resistance, the proportion used is 10 - 70% by weight, and preferably 10 - 60% by weight, with respect to the total amount of the (Al) - (A3) component, and the use of 12 - 100% by weight, and preferably of 15 - 90% by weight, with respect to the (A3) component is desirable. In cases where the amount of soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer used is less that 10% by weight with respect to the total amount of the (Al) - (A3) components the improving effect on abrasion resistance is slight, and when it exceeds 70% by weight the acid resistance is reduced. However, when the proportion of the component (Al) is less than 10% by weight, the acid resistance of the paint film becomes inadequate, and when it exceeds 70% by weight the weather resistance of the paint film is reduced, and so this is undesirable. Furthermore, when the proportion of the component (A2) is less than 5% by weight, the acid resistance becomes inadequate, and when it exceeds 70% by weight the weather resistance is reduced, and so this is undesirable. Furthermore, when the proportion of the component (A3) is less than 5% by weight, the weather resistance falls, and when it exceeds 85% by weight the acid resistance becomes inadequate, and so this is undesirable. The components, in those cases where the three are used in amounts within the aforementioned preferred ranges, give acrylic resins of which the balance of acid resistance and the other paint film properties is very good, and a constant effect is obtained even with compositions in which one component is within the wider range than the preferred range and the other components are within the preferred ranges. The most desirable compositions have all three components within the aforementioned preferred ranges, being combined in such a way that the mol ratio of component (Al)/component (A2) is 0.7 - 1.7, and especially 1.0 - 1.4. When the components are used in these amounts, an acrylic resin (A) which has a high hexane tolerance is obtained, and the acid resistance of the paint film reaches its highest level. Azobis compounds, such as azobisiso- butyronitrile, 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) and 2,2'-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)propionamide, and peroxides, such as benzoyl peroxide, t-butylperoxy- 2-ethylhexanoate and cu ene hydroperoxide, for example, can be used as polymerization initiators in the polymerization reaction, and dodecylmercaptan, mercaptoethanol, - -methylstyrene dimer and such like compounds can be used as chain transfer agents. Moreover, quaternary phosphonium salts, quaternary ammonium salts, tertiary amines, organometallic compounds, metal salts of organic acids, imidazoles, Lewis acids and boric acid esters, for example, can be used as catalysts to promote the esterification reaction between the epoxy groups of the component (Al) and the carboxyl groups of the component (A2) . Xylene and Sorubesso #100 (trademark) , for example, can be used as reaction solvents. By carrying out a polymerization reaction in this way, the components (A2) and (A3) are randomly polymerized to form a main chain and, at the same time, the carboxyl groups of the (A2) component and the epoxy groups of the (Al) component react together and form ester bonds, and the (Al) component is bonded as side chains. The epoxy rings are opened at this time and hydroxy groups are formed. That is to say, an acrylic resin (A) with side chains comprising the (Al) component of which the epoxy rings have been opened and hydroxy groups have been formed, bonded by ester bonds onto a main chain comprising the (A2) and (A3) components, is obtained. When hydroxy groups are formed by ring opening of an epoxy ring in the way described above, the hydroxy group is present in the middle part of the side chain and the ends of the side chains are the parts excluding the epoxy ring of the epoxy compound (Al) . For example, when tert-butyl benzoic acid glycidyl ester is used for the epoxy compound (Al) the ends of the side chains become t-Bu-C6H5-. With an acrylic resin (A) of this type, the hydroxy groups which are present in the middle part of the side chains are sterically hindered by the terminal groups and so they are protected by the terminal groups, and so the polarity is lower than in a case where the hydroxy groups are at the ends of the side chains. Hence, the permeation of hydrophilic substances such as acids into the paint film can be suppressed by using an acrylic resin (A) of this type, and the acid resistance of the paint film is of a high order. No particular limitation is imposed upon the molecular weight of the acrylic resin (A) , but those of weight average molecular weight 3,000 - 30,000 are preferred. There is a risk of the weather resistance being reduced in those cases where the weight average molecular weight is below 3,000, and there is a risk of the appearance of the paint film being adversely affected in cases where it exceeds 30,000. The hardening agent (B) used in this present invention can be used without particular limitation provided that it is able to react with hydroxy groups, but amino resins and blocked isocyanate are preferred since these can form paint films which have superior durability. Amino resin and blocked isocyanate can be used individually, but methods in which amino resin and blocked isocyanate are used conjointly and in which a crosslinking reaction with the acrylic resin (A) is included is preferred for forming paint films which have superior acid resistance. These substances obtained by etherifying the methylolated amino resins obtained by reacting aldehyde with an amino component, such as, for example, elamine, urea, benzoguanamine, acetoguanamine, steroguanamine, spiroguanamine or dicyandiamide, with an appropriate alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, n- propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, 2- ethylbutanol or 2-ethylhexanol for example, can be used for the amino resin. The usual blocked polyisocyanates or non- yellowing blocked polyisocyanates can be used for the blocked isocyanate. Actual examples include aromatic polyisocyanate compounds such as toluene diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate; polyisocyanate compounds such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, hydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate and hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate; and their adducts, biuret derivatives or isocyanurate derivatives, which have been blocked with the usual isocyanate blocking agents. Phenols, such as phenol, m-cresol, xylenol and thiophenol for example; alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, butanol, 2-ethylhexanol and cyclohexanol for example, and active hydrogen containing compounds, such as caprolactam, methyl ethyl ketone oxime, pyrazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, ethyl acetoacetate and diethyl malonate for example, can be cited as examples of the abovementioned isocyanate blocking agents. Mo particular limitation is imposed upon the compounding proportions of the acrylic resin (A) and the hardening agent (B) used in this invention, but a ratio by weight of component (A)/component (B) of 40 - 90/60 - 10, and preferably of 60 - 80/40 - 20, is desirable. In those cases where the acrylic resin (A) is below the abovementioned lower limit value, the storage stability of the paint composition tends to fall. On the other hand, in those cases where it exceeds the abovementioned upper limit value, the acid resistance of the paint film tends to fall. As well as the essential components, namely the (A) and (B) components, auxiliary crosslinking components can be compounded as other components in a thermoset paint composition of this present invention. Resin mixtures which contain polyepoxy resin and polycarboxylic acid resin, for example, can be cited as auxiliary crosslinking components. If the polycarboxylic acid resin and polyepoxy resin have hydroxy groups as well as carboxyl groups or epoxy groups then they can also crosslink with the aforementioned hardening agent (B) and it is possible to form paint films which have a high order structure, and so it is possible to raise the acid resistance performance even higher. Colored pigments, metallic pigments, dyes, physical pigments, acid catalysts, hardening catalysts, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, surface controllers, anti-run agents, thickeners and levelling agents, for example, can also be compounded as other components as well as these auxiliary crosslinking components. The thermoset paint compositions of this present invention can be manufactured by mixing the afore¬ mentioned (A) and (B) components and the other components which are compounded as required. The thermoset paint compositions of this present invention can be compounded with coloured pigments, metallic pigments, dyes or physical pigments, and used as coloured paints (solid colour finishes) or metallic paints for example. They can also be used as clear paints without compounding any pigment at all or by compounding virtually no pigment at all. No particular limitation is imposed upon the material of an object which is to be painted with a paint comprising a paint composition of this present invention, and the paint can be painted as a top-coat paint directly onto the material of the object which is to be painted, or onto a paint film surface obtained with a primer or a primer/mid-coat on the material of the object which is to be painted. In practical terms, they can be used as top-coat paints for automobiles, other vehicles, buildings and structures for example. The film thickness is preferably of the order of 10 - 60 μm as a dry film thickness, and the preferred baking conditions for hardening the paint film are some 10 - 40 hours at from about 120°C to about 180 β C. In use as a top-coat paint for automobile purposes, the paints comprising a paint composition of this present invention are preferably used as base-coat enamel paints or top-coat clear paints in a two-coat one-bake or two-coat two-bake system for example, or as a solid colour paint in a one-coat one-bake system, and, they are preferably painted on in such a way as to provide the aforementioned dry film thickness by electrostatic painting or air spray painting, for example, after adjusting the paint viscosity to some 12 - 30 seconds (Ford Cup No.4, 20°C), and a hardened paint film is preferably formed under the aforementioned baking conditions. In cases where a paint comprising a paint composition of this present invention is used as a two-coat one-bake type clear paint, it is possible to use any form of paint, such as a solvent based paint, high-solid paint or water based paint for example, for the base coat enamel paint. The hardened paint films obtained in this way have a low polarity, the unreacted hydroxy groups being protected by steric hinderance, and so permeation into the paint film is suppressed, even with water of low pH, such as acid rain, and consequently hydrolytic breakdown of the crosslinking parts is reduced and so the acid resistance and durability are excellent. Furthermore, in cases where a soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer has been used for the (A3) component, the reactivity of this hydroxy group is high and it reacts readily with the hardener (B) and so it does not remain in an unreacted form and, consequently, a paint film which has superior abrasion resistance in addition to acid resistance and durability is obtained. The thermoset paint compositions of this present invention are obtained by way of an esterification reaction of the hydroxyl groups of the acrylic resin used as the principal resin with epoxy groups and carboxyl groups and so the hydroxy groups are protected by way of steric hinderance by the groups on the ends of the side chains, and the polarity of the acrylic resin is reduced and so a paint film which has superior acid resistance and durability is obtained, and it also has superior storage stability. Furthermore, in cases where a soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer is used for the (A3) component a paint film which has superior abrasion resistance in addition to acid resitance and durability is obtained. Illustrative Examples The invention is described in more detail below by means of illustrative examples and comparative examples. Moreover, the term "parts" in the examples signifies "parts by weight", and the term "%" signifies "percent by weight". Examples of Manufacture 1 - 5 (Manufacture of Acrylic Resin (A) ) Xylene (66.7 parts) and 31,2 parts of Kaajura E10 (trade name, varsatic acid glycidyl ester, manufactured by the Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.) were introduced into a four-necked flask which had been furnished with a reflux condenser, a stirrer, a dropping funnel and a thermometer, the temperature was raised while stirring, and the mixture was heated to u 140°C. Next, the mixtures of monomer components and polymerization initiators shown in Table 1 were added dropwise over a period of 4 hours at a constant rate of addition at 140°C or below. one hour after the drip feed had been completed, 0.2 parts of supplementary catalyst tetrabutylphosphonium acetate were added, after which the temperature was maintained at 140°C for a further period of 2 hours, whereupon the reaction was completed, and the acrylic resin A-l which had the property values shown in Table l was obtained. Furthermore, the acrylic resins A-2 to A-5 were manufactured in the same way as acrylic resin A-l using the components indicated in Table l and Table 2. Comparative Example of Manufacture 1 (Manufacture of Acrylic Resin) The acrylic resin a-l was manufactured in the same way as in Example of Manufacture 1 but using the monomer components in the amounts shown in Table 3. The property values of the resulting resin are shown in Table 3. Comparative Example of Manufacture 2 (Manufacture of Acrylic Resin) Xylene (66.7 parts) was introduced into a four- necked flask which had been furnished with a reflux condenser, a stirrer, a dropping funnel and a thermometer, the temperature was raised while stirring and the material was heated to 140°C. Next, the mixture of monomer components and polymerization initiators shown in Table 3 was added dropwise over a period of 2 hours at 140°C or below. After the drip feed had been completed, the temperature was maintained at 140 β C for a further period of 2 hours, whereupon the reaction was completed, and the acrylic resin a-2 which had the property values shown in Table 3 was obtained. The property values of the resin obtained are shown in Table 3. . [Table 1] Table 1 [Table 2] Table 2 [Table 3] Table 3 Notes Relating to Table l - Table 3 *1 Trade name, varsatic acid glycidyl ester, manufactured by the Yuka Shell Epoxy Co. *2 Trade name, p-tert-butylbenzoic acid glycidyl ester, manufactured by the Fuso Kagaku Co. *3 According to JIS-K5407 4 Residue on Heating *4 According to JIS-K5400 4.5.1 Gardener Type Bubble Viscometer Method *5 Resin (1 gram) was diluted one hundred times with acetone, n-hexane was added to the diluted solution and the weight of hexane added when the solution became turbid was noted.gel permeation chromatography. *6 The value calculated as polystyrene obtained using *7 Vinyl monomer in which 2 mol of ε-caprolactome had been added to 2-hydrox ethyl acrylate (trade name, manufactured by the Daiseru Kagaku Kogyo Co.) Example of Manufacture 6 (Manufacture of Polycarboxylic Acid Resin) Xylene (50.0 parts) and 16.7 parts of n-butanol were introduced into a four-necked flask which had been furnished with a reflux condenser, a stirrer, a dropping funnel and a thermometer, the temperature was raised while stirring and the mixture was heated to 120°C. Next, the mixture of monomer components and polymerization initiators shown in Table 4 was added dropwise over a period of 4 hours at a constant rate of addition at 120°C or below and, on reacting for a further period of 2 hours at 120°C, the reaction was completed, and the polycarboxylic acid resin C which had the property values shown in Table 4 was obtained. Example of Manufacture 7 (Manufacture of a Polyepoxy Resin) Xylene (100 parts) was introduced into a four- necked flask which had been furnished with a reflux condenser, a stirrer, a dropping funnel and a thermometer, the temperature was raised while stirring and the material was heated to 120 β C. Next, the mixture of monomer components and polymerization initiators shown in Table 4 was added dropwise over a period of 2 hours at a constant rate of addition at 140°C or below. After the drip feed had been completed, the temperature was maintained 140°C for a further period of 2 hours, whereupon the reaction was completed, and the polyepoxy resin D which had the property values shown in Table 4 was obtained. [Table 4] Table 4 * 1 See * 3 of Table 1 * 2 See * 4 of Table 1 * 3 See * 6 of Table 1 Illustrative Example l 1) Preparation of a Paint for Clear Coat Purposes As shown in Table 5, a paint containing 125.0 parts of the acrylic resin solution obtained in Example of Manufacture 1 as component (A) , 41.7 parts of butylated elamine resin (residue on heating 60%, Yuuban 20SE, trade name, manufactured by the Mitsui Toatsu Kagaku Co.) as component (B) , 10.0 parts of a 10% xylene solution of ultraviolet absorber (Tinuvin 900, trade name, manufactured by the Ciba Geigy Co.), 1.0 part of hindered amine based photostabilizer (Tinuvin 292, trade name, manufactured by the Ciba Geigy Co.), 0.5 parts of leveling agent (Modaflow, trade name, manufactured by the Monsanto Co.) and 3.0 parts of n-butanol was diluted with thinner (Sorubesso #100 (aromatic hydrocarbon, boiling point 150 - 177"C, manufactured the Esso Co.)/n-butanol = 8/2 ratio by weight) to the painting viscosity (Ford Cup No. , 25 seconds at 20°C) and a paint for clear coat purposes was obtained. This paint was stored for 3 days at 50 β C but, as shown in Table 6, there was virtually no change in the viscosity, and it had excellent storage stability. 2) Paint Film Formation Cationic electrodeposition paint (trade name Akua No.4200, manufactured by Nippon Yushi K.K.) was electrodeposition painted so as to provide a dry film thickness of 20 μm on a zinc phosphate treated mild steel sheet and baked for 25 minutes at a temperature of 175 β C, and then a mid-coat paint (trade name Hiaepico No.100 Sealer, manufactured by Nippon Yushi K.K.) was air spray coated so as to provide a dry film thickness of 40 μm and baked for 30 minutes at 140 β C to form a test sheet. A base coat paint (trade name Berucooto No. 6000 Silver, manufactured by Nippon Yushi K.K.) was air spray coated onto this mid-coat painted sheet in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 20 μm in two stages with an interval of 1 minute 30 seconds. After setting for 3 minutes, the abovementioned paint for clear coat purposes prepared in 1) was air spray painted in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 40 μm and baked for 30 minutes at l40 β C. The sheets obtained were used as samples in the various tests. The result, as shown in Table 6, was to obtain a paint film which had excellent acid resistance, durability and finished appearance. Illustrative Examples 2 - 7 1) Preparation of Paints for Clear Coat Purposes Mixtures of the raw material compositions shown in Table 5 were prepared in the same way as in 1) of Illustrative Example 1, and paints for clear coat purposes were obtained. The paints obtained all had excellent storage stability, as shown in Table 6. 2) Paint Film Formation The same procedure as in 2) of Illustrative Example 1 was followed using each of the abovementioned clear coat paints which had been obtained, and paint films were formed. All of the paint films obtained had excellent acid resistance, durability and finished appearance, as shown in Table 6. Illustrative Examples 8 - 9 1) Preparation of Paints for Clear Coat Purposes Mixtures of the raw material compositions shown in Table 5 were preapared in the same way as in 1) of Illustrative Example 1, and paints for clear coat purposes were obtained. The paints obtained all had excellent storage stability as shown in Table 6. 2) Paint Film Formation In Illustrative Example 8, a water based base coat paint (trade name Aqua BC-3 Black, manufactured by Nippon Yushi K.K.) was air spray painted in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 20 μm on a cationic electro-deposited/mid-coat painted sheet which had been prepared using the same procedure as in 2) of Illustrative Example l and this was dried for 10 minutes at 80°C. Then, the clear coat paint prepared in 1) above was air spray painted in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 40 μm and baked for 30 minutes at 140°C. The sheets obtained were used as samples for the various tests. On the other hand, in Illustrative Example 9, a base coat paint (trade name Bercoat No.6000 Black, manufactured by Nippon Yushi K.K.) was air sray painted in two stages with an interval of l minute 30 seconds in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 20 μm on the aforemeπtionned cationic electro- deposited/mid-coat painted sheet and set for 3 minutes. Then, the clear coat paint prepared in 1) above was air spray painted in such a way as to provide a dry film thickness of 40 μm and baked for 30 minutes at 140°C. The sheets obtained were used as samples for the various tests. As shown in Table 6, paint films of excellent abrasion resistance as well as acid resistance, durability and finished appearance were obtained in Illustrative Examples 8 and 9. 2 k Table 5 & 9 Ui Motes for Table 5 *1 Type and amount of the acrylic acid solution A-l - A-3 obtained in Examples of Manufacture 1 - 5. See Table l and Table 2 *2 Trade name, butylated melamine resin, residue on heating 60%, manufactured by the Mitsui Toatsu Co. *3 Trade Name, blocked isocyanate (HDD / residue on heating 75%, manufactured by the Sumitomo Beyer Urethane Co. * Trade Name, blocked isocyanate (HDD , residue on heating 75%, manufactured by the Sumitomo Beyer Urethane Co. *5 Trade Name, blocked isocyanate (IPDI) , residue on heating 65%, manufactured by the Sumitomo Beyer Urethane Co. *6 Auxiliary crosslinking component, see Table 4 *7 Auxiliary crosslinking component, see Table 4 *8 Trade name, ultraviolet absorber, manufactured by the Ciba Geigy Co., amount compounded as a 10% xylene solution. *9 Trade name, hindered amine based photostabilizer, manufactured by the Ciba Geigy Co. *10 Levelling agent, Manufactured by the Monsanto Co., ... trade name. [Table 6] Table 6 Notes for Table 6 *1 Acid Resistance: 40% Sulphuric acid (0.2 ml) was placed in the form of a spot on the test sheet and, after heating to 60°C for 15 minutes, it was rinsed off with water and the extent of any stain mark was observed visually. *2 60° Mirror Surface Gloss: In accordance with JIS K-5400 7.6 60° Mirror Surface Gloss *3 Weather Resistance The 60° mirror surface gloss (see *2 above) of the paint film was measured after 3000 hours exposure using a sunshine carbon arc lamp system (HIS K-5400 (sic) 9.8.1), and the fractional retention of the gloss was obtained from the initial gloss value. *4 Abrasion Resistance Muddy water (a mixture of 8 grade dust/water/neutral detergent = 10 : 99 : 1 manufactured by the Nippon Fundai Kogyo Gijutsu Kyokai (Co.)) was painted with a brush onto the sample and then the car washing brushes in a car wash were rotated for 10 seconds and the sample was washed with water. This procedure was repeated three times and then the extent of abrasion of the sample surface was observed visually. O : Virtually no abrasion to be seen. Δ : Slight abrasion was seen. X : Pronounced abrasion was seen. comparative Examples l and 2 1) Preparation of Paints for Clear Coat Purposes The same procedure as in 1) of Illustrative Example 1 was followed using the mixtures of the raw material compositions shown in Table 7, and paints for clear coat purposes were obtained. The results of storage stability tests are shown in Table 8. 2) Paint Film Formation The same procedure as in 2) of Illustrative Example 9 was followed, using each of the abovementioned clear coat paints obtained in 1) , and paint films were obtained. The results are shown in Table 8. [Table 7] Table 7 (Parts by Weight) * 1 —' * 10 See Table 5 [Table 8] Table 8 * 1 ~ * 4 See Table 6 As is clear from the results shown in Table 8, paint films which have a satisfactory paint film performance and paint film appearance are not obtained with the paints in the comparative examples. That is to say, in Comparative Example 1 the paint film has inadequate acid resistance. This is because the hydroxy groups are not hindered and the hexane tolerance (HT) is less than 100 since the epoxy compound which is component (Al) of the acrylic resin is present in an amount of less than 10% by weight, so that the polarity of the resin is not reduced and the permeability of acid and hydrolysis of the crosslinked parts cannot be reduced. Furthermore, the storage stability is also poor since the acrylic acid/hardening agent solid fraction by weight ratio is 30/70. In Comparative Example 2, the acid resistance of the paint film is inadequate. This is because the polarity of the resin is not low because the hexane tolerance (HT) of the acrylic resin is less than 100 and the permeability of acid cannot be reduced. Moreover, the weight average molecular weight of the acrylic resin was more than 30,000 and so the 60° mirror surface gloss which indicates the paint film appearance was also poor. Furthermore, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 the abrasion resistance was poor because no soft hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer was included in the (A3) component of the acrylic resin.

Claims: Claims : 1. Thermoset paint composition, characterized in that it contains: (A) acrylic resin of which the hexane tolerance is at least 100, being an esterification and polymerization reaction mixture of a monomer mixture comprising: (Al)10 - 70% by weight epoxy compound which has one epoxy group and which has no polymerizable unsaturated bonds, (A2)5 - 70% by weight vinyl type monomer which has carboxyl groups, and (A3)5 - 70% by weight vinyl type monomer which has no carboxyl group; and (B) hardening agent which reacts with hydroxy groups. 2. Paint composition, according to Claim l, characterized in that the hardening agent (B) is an amino resin and/or blocked isocyanate compound. Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Paint composition, according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the vinyl type monomer which has no carboxyl group (A3) is a vinyl type monomer which includes hydroxy group containing vinyl monomer which has a soft segment.

Inventors: KAWAMURA MASATAKA, MONMA YASUHIRO, SATO ATSUSHI, SHIBATO KISHIO, KAWAMURA, MASATAKA, MONMA, YASUHIRO, SATO, ATSUSHI, SHIBATO, KISHIO
Applicants: BASF LACKE & FARBEN, NOF CORP, BASF LACKE + FARBEN AG, NOF CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C09D133
IPC codes: C08G18, C09D133, C09D161