WATER-BASED COATING COMPOSITION

Abstract: This invention provides a new water-based composition suitable for use on polyester-based substrates for increasing adhesion to overcoat. The composition has: (a) from about 1 to 8 percent solids by weight of core-shell latex polymer wherein the core has a lower Tg than the shell, the latex comprising: (1) the core formed from (i) about 60 to 95 parts by weight of at least one alpha , beta -ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to about 35 parts by weight of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on a total weight of the core; and (2) the shell formed from (i) about 35 to 95 parts by weight of at least one alpha , beta -ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates and aromatic methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on the total weight of the shell; (b) from about 4 to 16 percent solids by weight of a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resin, sulfonated polyester-based resin, vinyl-based resin, and combinations thereof; (c) from about 0.2 to 20 percent solids by weight of a melamine crosslinking agent; and (d) from about 0.05 to 0.2 percent solids by weight of a surfactant.

Description: WATER-BASED COATING COMPOSITION This invention relates to a new water-based coating composition. In particular, the composition is suitable for use as a prime layer on polyester-based substrates, to increase the adhesion between the substrate and selected overcoats applied to the substrate. B A C K G R O U N D A common practice in the polymer film art involves coating a substrate with a prime layer or coating to provide adhesion between the substrate and an overcoat applied to the substrate. For example, US Patent No. 4,098.952 (Kelly et al.) describes a prime layer useful for some polyester substrates comprising a copolymer comprising (i) 3 to 25 mole percent of glycidyl methacrylate or glycidyl acrylate. (ii) 35 to 95 mole percent of one or more other copolymerizable monomer selected from the esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids; and (iii) 1 to 60 mole percent of acrylonitrile. Other components can be added to the priming composition. For example, a cross-linking agent, such as alkyl melamines, may be used to cross-link with functional groups, such as hydroxyl and epoxy groups present in the composition. In addition, a catalyst can be used to accelerate the internal cross-linking action of the cross-linking agent and also to accelerate its cross-linking action with the cross-linkable functional groups in the priming copolymer. The priming copolymer can be applied to at least one surface of a support film, which can be any suitable self-supporting synthetic linear polyester film. There still exists a need for novel chemical compositions to provide adhesion between a polyester-based substrate and the overcoat. 5 U M M A R Y This invention pertains to a new water-based coating composition suitable for use on a polyester-based substrate as a prime layer between the substrate and selected overcoats. The inventive aqueous composition comprises or consists essentially of: (a) from about 1 to 8 percent solids by weight of a core-shell latex polymer, wherein the core has a lower T g than the shell, the latex comprising: (1) the core formed from (i) about 60 to 95 parts by weight of at least one α. β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms: (ii) 0 to about 35 parts by weight of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on a total weight of the core; and (2) the shell formed from (i) about 35 to 95 parts by weight of at least one α. β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates and aromatic methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on a total weight of the shell. (b) about 4 to 16 percent solids by weight of a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resin, sulfonated polyester-based resin, vinyl-based resin, and combinations thereof: (c) from about 0.2 to 20 percent solids by weight of a melamine crosslinking agent: and (d) from about 0.05 to 0.2 percent solids by weight of a surfactant. wherein the percent solids by weight is based on the total composition weight. As used in this document, the term "core/shell latex polymer " means a latex containing a plurality of discrete polymer particles, each particle having a core polymer that is partially or substantially completely surrounded by a shell polymer. The term "acrylate-based resin" includes acrylates and copolymers of acrylates, e.g., a copolymer of acrylate and styrene. As used herein, "percent solids by weight " represent the weight percent of solid components in the inventive composition. For example, about 1 to 8 percent solids by weight of a component means that in 100 grams of the inventive composition, there is about 1 to 8 grams of that component. Because the inventive composition is water- based, there is less than 100 percent solids, typically there is less than about 75 percent solids. The inventive composition exists initially in solution form. Once the composition is coated or applied to a substrate (such as. a polyester-based film), dried and cured, the composition becomes a "prime layer." In general, the prime layer acts as a tie layer by providing adhesion to the substrate and adhesion to an overcoat. As used herein, the term '"overcoat" means a layer that has been applied to the prime layer so that, in general, the prime layer is sandwiched between the substrate and the overcoat. D E T A I L E D D E S C R I P T I O N O F TH E I NV E N T I O N The inventive coating compositions comprise a core/shell latex polymer in an amount of about 1 to 8 percent solids by weight. A preferred core/shell latex polymer is described in US Patent 5,500,457 (Sarkar et al.), which discloses weight ratio of the core polymer to the shell polymer from about 10:90 to 90: 10, preferably from about 25:75 to 50:50. The core polymer has a lower glass transition temperature (T g ) than the shell. As used in this document, T„ means, generally, the temperature below which free rotations of the molecules or atoms in the polymer cease because of intra-molecular energy barriers. The T 2 for a polymer typically occurs over a temperature range rather than a single, sharply defined temperature. The T g of the core polymer preferably ranges from about -60°C to 20°C. more preferably from about -10°C to 5°C. The T g of the shell polymer preferably ranges from about 35°C to 100°C. more preferably, from about 40°C to 90°C. When the T g of the shell polymer reaches below about 35°C, the coating composition becomes soft, possibly resulting in blocking problems. Blocking is an undesirable feature and results when the coating composition adheres to an unintended surface. For example, if blocking occurs, the coating composition adheres not only to one side of the substrate but also adheres to the backside of the same substrate when the product is wound up in a roll. The core is made from at least one . β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms. This monomer makes up from about 60 to 95 parts, preferably from about 75 to 90 parts by weight of the core. The core also contains at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates. and aromatic methacrylates, which can comprise up to about 40 parts, preferably from about 10 to 25 parts. The core further contains a polar monomer, preferably at least 5 parts by weight. The shell can also be formed from at least one α, β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms. This monomer may comprise up to 95 parts by weight of the shell, preferably from about 45 to 80 parts by weight. The shell also contains up to about 60 parts by weight, preferably from about 20 to 55 parts by weight, of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates, and aromatic methacrylates. The shell further contains a polar monomer, preferably at least 5 parts by weight. Useful α, β-ethylenically unsaturated monomers include, but are not limited to, methyl acrylate. ethyl acrylate. methyl methacrylate. isobutyl methacrylate. isodecyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, styrene, vinyl esters, and the like. Preferred monomers include ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate. Combinations of these unsaturated monomers can be used, if desired. Useful bicyclic alkyl methacrylates include, but are not limited to, dicyclopentenyl methacrylate. norbornyl methacrylate. and isobornyl methacrylate. which is preferred. Combinations of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates can be used, if desired. The core polymer and/or the shell polymer also contain at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer selected from the group consisting of ( 1 ) acrylic methacrylic acid or hydroxyalkyl methacrylates; and (2) nitrogen containing compounds including N-alkylacrylamide, N.N-dialkyl amino monoalkyl methacrylate. N-alkyl amino alkyl methacrylate. and their cationic salts, all of alkyl groups above having up to 8 carbon atoms, preferably up to 2 carbon atoms. Preferred polar monomers include hydroxyethylacrylate and methacrylate. N- methylacrylamide, N-butylmethacrylamide. N-methylolacrylamide, N-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, N-N'-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate. N.N " -dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate, and isobutyoxy methacrylamide. A particularly preferred polar monomer is hydroxy ethyl methacrylate. The core/shell latex polymers are polymerized using known emulsion polymerization techniques, which require emulsifiers in the polymerization vessel. Useful emulsifiers include anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Specific examples of useful surfactants have a molecular structure that includes (i) at least one hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of from about C(, to Cj -alkyl, alkylaryl, and/or akenyl groups, and (ii) at least one anionic group selected from the group consisting of sulfate. sulfonate, phosphate, polyoxyethylene sulfate, polyoxyethylene sulfonate, polyoxyethylene phosphate, and the like, and the salts of such anionic groups, where the salts are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, tertiary amino salts, and the like. Illustrative examples of commercially available and useful anionic surfactants for emulsion polymerization of the core/shell latex include sodium lauryl sulfate, available from Stepan Chemical Co. as POLYSTEP™ B-3; sodium lauryl ether sulfate. available from Stepan Chemical Co. as POLYSTEP™ B-12; and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, available from Rhone-Poulenc as SIPONATE™ DS-10. Useful non-ionic surfactant for emulsion polymerization of the core/shell latex include those whose molecular structure comprises a condensation product of an organic aliphatic or alkyl aromatic hydrophobic moiety with a hydrophilic alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide. The HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) of useful non-ionic surfactants is about 10 or greater, preferably from about 10 to 20. The HLB number describes the balance of the size and strength of the hydrophilic (water-loving or polar) groups and lipophilic (oil-loving or non-polar) groups of the surfactant. Illustrative examples of commercially available and useful non-ionic surfactants for emulsion polymerization of the core/shell latex include nonylphenoxy or octylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy)ethanols available from Rhone-Poulenc as, respectively, the IGEPAL™ CA or CO series; Cu to Cj 5 secondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide as the TERGITOL™ 15-S series; and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester available from ICI Chemicals as the TWEEN™ series of surfactants. Most preferably, the emulsion polymerization of the core-shell latex polymer occurs in the presence of a mixture of anionic surfactant(s) and non-ionic surfactant(s). where the ratio of the anionic to non-ionic surfactant is from about 10:90 to 90:10. A useful range of surfactant (i.e. emulsifier) is from about 1 to 8 weight percent, preferably from about 1.5 to 7 weight percent, and most preferably from about 2 to 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of all the monomers in both the core polymer and shell polymer of the latex polymer. Water-soluble thermal initiators are also present in the emulsion polymerization of the core/shell latex polymer. Suitable initiators include those selected from the group consisting of potassium persulfate. ammonium persulfate. sodium persulfate. and mixtures thereof; and oxidation-reduction initiators such as the reaction product of the above-mentioned persulfates and reducing agents such as those selected from the group consisting of soidum metabisulfite and sodium bisulfite. The preferred water-soluble initiators are potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate. Preferably, most water- soluble initiators are used from about 50°C to 70°C. The oxidation-reduction type initiators are preferably used from about 25°C to 50°C. Water-soluble initiators comprise from about 0.05 to 2 parts, preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 parts based on the total weight of all the monomers in both the core polymer and shell polymer of the latex polymer. The water-soluble polymer is selected so as to produce a prime layer exhibiting good adhesion to the overcoat and substrate. By "good adhesion, " ' it is meant generally that adhesion between the substrate, prime layer, and overcoat preferably exhibits a rating of 4 to 5 according to ASTM 3359-95a, Test Method B and Figure 1. In the inventive composition, the water-soluble polymer is preferably present in an amount of about 4 to 16 percent solids by weight. Useful water-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, acrylate-based resins, sulfonated polyester-based resins, and vinyl based resins. Useful acrylate-based resins include, but are not limited to, (1 ) polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acids, and their salts. (2) acrylic emulsion resins and acrylic-styrene copolymer emulsion resins. Preferably, the acrylic polymer and copolymer emulsion is water-based. Illustrative examples of commercially available water-based acrylic emulsions include, but are not limited to, Maincote* HG54D and Maincote* PR-71 , both available from Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, PA. USA. An illustrative example of a commercially available water-based acrylic-styrene copolymer emulsion is Rhoplex^ WL-96, also available from Rohm and Haas Co. A preferred acrylate- based resin is described in Example 3 of US Patent 4.098.952 (Kelly et al.). Useful sulfonated polyester-based resins include, but is not limited to, ones taught in. e.g., US Patent 5,427,835 (Morrison et al.). Useful vinyl based resin include polyvinylidene chloride. The crosslinking agent functions to cross-link with functional groups, primarily hydroxyl groups and epoxy groups present in the coating composition. The crosslinking agent preferably is capable of internal cross-linking to provide resistance against solvent penetration. Suitable crosslinking agents may comprise epoxy resins, alkyd resins and/or condensation products of an amine. e.g. melamine, diazine. urea, cyclic ethylene urea, cyclic propylene urea, thiourea, cyclic ethylene thiourea. alkyl melamines, aryl melamines, benzo guanamines, guanamines, alkyl guanamines and aryl guanamines with an aldehyde, e.g. formaldehyde. The crosslinking agent is preferably present in an amount of about 0.1 to 20 percent solids by weight, more preferably about 0.1 to 2 percent solids by weight. Illustrative examples of commercially available crosslinking agents useful for the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, Cymel 5, 323 and Cymel ® 373, both of which are methylated melamine formaldehyde resin, available from CYTEC Company, West Paterson, NJ, USA. Surfactants or wetting agents are used in the coating composition to adjust the surface tension of the composition so as to improve its ability to be coated to a substrate. The surfactant useful for the composition, as a whole, may be different than the surfactant useful for the emulsion polymerization process described earlier. Preferred surfactants have an HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) value of about 7 to 10. The HLB value describes the balance of the size and strength of the hydrophilic (water-loving or polar) groups to the lipophilic (oil-loving or non-polar) groups of the surfactant. An illustrative example of a commercially available surfactant is Triton™ X-100, which is octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol having an HLB of about 7, commercially available from Union Carbide Chemical Company. Danbury, CT, USA. There are several optional components that can be added to the coating composition to aid processing or film handling, once the coating is applied to a substrate. If desired, a catalyst may be used to accelerate the internal cross-liking action of the cross-linking agent. The catalyst can also accelerate the cross-linking action between the cross-linking agent and the functional groups. Suitable catalysts for a melamine cross-linking agent include ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, ammonium thiocyanate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium sulfate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, maleic acid stabilized by reaction with a base, and moφholinium para toluene sulphonate. If used, the amount of catalyst depends on the amount of cross-linking agent used. When the crosslinking agent is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 2 percent solids by weight, the amount of catalyst present is preferably in an amount of about 0.005 to 1 percent solids by weight. Slip agents, which are typically small particles, can be used to improve the handling characteristic of the substrate containing the inventive prime layer. In particular, slip agents can aid in the winding-up of a substrate having the inventive composition applied to it (often referred to as the "'primed substrate"). A preferred slip agent is polymeric particles, such as polystyrene beads having diameters in the sub- micron ( 10 "6 meters) to a few micrometers. If used, the amount of slip agent is preferably about 0.0001 to 10 percent solids by weight, more preferably from about 0.001 to 1 percent solids by weight. Additives can be added to the inventive composition. They include, for example, anti-static agents, colorants, ultraviolet light stabilizers, hindered amine light stabilizers, and combinations thereof. When used, they are preferably present in an amount of not more than about 10 percent solids by weight. Useful anti-static agents are disclosed in US Patent No. 5,500,547 (Sarkar et al.) in column 10, lines 4 to 53. Useful hindered amine light stabilizers include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Bis-(2,2,6.6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)sebacate, available from Ciba- Geigy Corp., Hawthorne. NY as TINUVIN 770; (2) Bis-(l,2.2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- peperidinyl)-2- A?-butyl-2-(3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate. available from Ciba-Geigy Coφ. as TINUVIN 144; (3) propanedioic acid,[(4-methoxyphenyl)- methylene]-bis-(l,2,2,6.6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)ester, available from Clariant Coφ.. Charlotte, NC under product number PR-31 ; (4) dimehtyl succinate polymer with 4-hydroxy-2.2,6.6-tetramethyl-l-piperidine ethanol, available from Ciba-Geigy Coφ. as TINUVIN 622; (5) poly[6-[(l.l,3.3-tetramethylbutyl)amino]-s-tr iazine-2,4- diyl][2,2.6.6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino]hexamethylene[(2.2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl)imino], available from Ciba-Geigy as CHIMASORB 944FL; and (6) low molecular weight (about 435 grams/mole) acetylatedhindered amine light stabilizer, available from Ciba-Geigy Coφ. as TINUVIN 440. The coating composition can be formulated in a batch type reactor or vessel by mixing the components together using conventional mixing apparatus and known techniques. The coating composition may be applied to the surfaces of a substrate by any suitable known film coating techniques including, but not limited to. notch bar coating, knife coating, and gravure coating. Once coated on a substrate, the coated film should be dried and/or cured, preferably by heating to a temperature exceeding 70° C and up to a maximum temperature determined by the nature of the film used. The coated substrate may be partially dried and/or cured. In subsequent steps, an overcoat can be applied to the prime layer. Preferably, the composition is coated onto the film at about 0.0076 to 0.076 mm (0.0003 to 0.003 inch) wet coating thickness, more preferably from about 0.0076 to 0.025 mm (0.0003 to 0.001 inch). Preferably, the final dry thickness of the prime layer is about 0.01 to 5 micrometer, more preferably from about 0.03 to 0.1 micrometer. In one inventive embodiment, the prime layer is light transmissible, which means that it transmits at least 70 percent, more preferably at least 80 percent, and most preferably at least 90% of the intensity of light incident upon it. The incident light can be visible light, in the range of about 400 to 770 nanometers, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or any other light in the electromagnetic spectrum. When the substrate is an oriented polyester-based film, the coating composition can be applied before, during, or after the orientating process. As used herein, "oriented" generally means uniaxial or biaxial drawing of the polyester-based film to impart certain desirable characteristics to the film. The process of orienting film, particularly polyester films, is described in Volume 12 of 77? e E n c y c l o p e di a o f P o l y m e r S c i e n c e a n d E n g i n e e r i n g. 2 nd edition, pages 193 to 216. A typical process for fabricating biaxially oriented polyester films contains four main steps: (1) melt extrusion of the polyester resin and quenching it to form a web. (2) drawing the web in the longitudinal or machine direction. (3) drawing the web in the web in the transverse direction to create a film, and (4) heat setting the film. In another aspect of the invention, the coating composition is applied to the polyester-based substrate after it has been drawn in the machine direction but before it has been drawn in the transverse direction. When the coating composition is applied to a previously oriented polyester substrate, it is preferred that the surface of the substrate be pre-treated with a corona discharge, such as. air corona or nitrogen corona treatment. Preferably, the corona treatment is in the range of about 0.2 millijoules per square centimeter (mJ/cm-) of film surface area. Higher corona treatment levels can be used if desired. The coating composition provides increased adhesion between the substrate and the overcoat. The coating composition has been formulated to provide good adhesion to a polyester-based substrate. Illustrative examples of useful polyester-based substrates include, unoriented. uniaxially oriented, and biaxially oriented polyesters, such as, for example, polyethylene teφhthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene napthalate (PEN), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), and copolymers thereof, and PETG and PCTG amoφhous copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate available from Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN). Polyesters include carboxylate and glycol subunits and can be generated by, for example, (a) reaction of carboxylate monomer molecules with glycol monomer molecules or (b) transesterification. Each carboxylate monomer molecule has two or more carboxylic acid or ester functional groups and each glycol monomer molecule has two or more hydroxy functional groups. Polyesters can be formed using a single type of carboxylate monomer molecule or two or more different types of carboxylate monomer molecules. The same applies to the glycol monomer molecules. Also included within the term "polyester" are polycarbonates, which are derived from the reaction of glycol monomer molecules with esters of carbonic acid. The properties of a polymer layer or film vary with the particular choice of monomer molecules. Suitable carboxylate monomer molecules for forming the carboxylate subunits of a polyester layer include, for example. 2.6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and isomers thereof: terephthalic acid; isophthalic acid; phthalic acid; azelaic acid; adipic acid; sebacic acid; norbornene dicarboxylic acid; bi-cyclooctane dicarboxylic acid; 1,6-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid and isomers thereof; t-butyl isophthalic acid; tri-mellitic acid; sodium sulfonated isophthalic acid; 2,2'-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid and isomers thereof; and lower alkyl esters of these acids, such as methyl or ethyl esters. The term "lower alkyl" refers, in this context, to C1-C10 straight-chained or branched alkyl groups. Suitable glycol monomer molecules for forming glycol subunits of a polyester layer include ethylene glycol: propylene glycol; 1 ,4-butanediol and isomers thereof; 1.6-hexanediol; neopentyl glycol; polyethylene glycol; diethylene glycol; tricyclodecanediol; 1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and isomers thereof; norbornanediol; bicyclo-octanediol; trimethylol propane; pentaerythritol: 1 ,4-benzenedimethanol and isomers thereof; bisphenol A; 1 ,8-dihydroxy biphenyl and isomers thereof; and 1.3- bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene. Examples of polyesters useful in creating polyester-based optical films are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5.825,543. 5,882.774 and 5.867.316; PCT Publications W099/36262, WO 99/36248 and WO 99/36812; and U.S. Patent Application No. 09/399531, the contents of which are herein incoφorated by reference in their entirety. In another aspect of the invention, the inventive composition provides good adhesion between polyester substrates and overcoats. One useful overcoat contains vinyl copolymers comprising vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, and vinyl chloride. Another class of overcoats can be referred to as "hard coats". A particularly suitable hard coat is disclosed in US Patent 5,104,929 (Bilkadi), which is an abrasion resistant coating comprised of colloidal silicon dioxide particles dispersed in ethylenically unsaturated alipahtic and/or cycloaliphatic monomers that are substituted by a protic group. In particular, the coating composition curable to an abrasion and weather resistant coating comprising a non-aqueous dispersion of colloidal silicon dioxide particles of diameters less than 100 millimicrometers in a protic group- substituted ester or amide of acrylic or methacrylic acid wherein the protic group-substituted ester or amide or acrylic acid is one or more compounds having the formula: A 1 — Z— A 2 1 2 wherein A and A independently are poly(acryloyloxy)-alkoxypropyl groups having the general formula: in which each R is independently a hydrogen atom or methyl group; m is an integer of 1 to 5: 4 R is the residue of an aliphatic polyol having (m + 1) primary hydroxyl groups (said residue being formed by the removal of hydroxy groups from the polyol) and containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally one ether oxygen atoms; and z is a heterocyclic group of the formula: X-C=0 / \ N N \ / C wherein X is a divalent group which is required to complete a five or six membered heterocyclit ring. Another suitable hard coat is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,633,049, which is an acid- and abrasion-resistant coating prepared from a silica-free protective coating precursor composition comprising a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated ester of acrylic acid, a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated ester of methacrylic acid, or a combination thereof; and an acrylamide. The first major component of the hard coat is a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated ester of an acrylic or methacrylic acid (i.e.. a multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate). which is preferably capable of hydrogen bonding and capable of imparting hardness to the coating. Preferred multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated esters of (meth)acrylic acid can be described by the formula: wherein R^ is hydrogen, halogen or a (Cj -Chalky 1 group (preferably R^ is hydrogen or a methyl group); R" is a polyvalent organic group, which can be cyclic, branched, or linear, aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic, having carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, nonperoxidic oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus atoms; Y is hydrogen, (Cι-C4)alkyl, or a protic functional group; m is an integer designating the number of acrylic or methacrylic groups in the ester and has a value of at least 2; and n has a value of the valence of R^-m. Referring to this formula, preferably R" has a molecular weight of about 14-100, m has a value of 2-6 (more preferably m has a value of 2-5, most preferably m has a value of 3-4, or where a mixture of multifunctional acrylates and/or methacrylates are used, m has an average value of about 2.05-5), n is an integer having a value of 1 to 3. and Y is a protic functional group. Preferred protic functional groups are selected from the group consisting of -OH. -COOH. -SH, -PO(OH)2- -SO3H. and -SO(OH)2- In general, the acrylamide is of the formula: R 9 O R 7 I I I I H 7 C=C— C— N R 8 wherein : (A) R 7 and R 8 are each independently hydrogen, a (Cι-C 8 ) alkyl group optionally having hydroxy, halide. carbonyl. and amido functionalities, a (C|-C 8 ) alkylene group optionally having carbonyl and amido functionalities, a (C|-C 4 ) aryl group, a (Cι-C )alk(C 4 -Cg)aryl group, and a (C -Cι 8 ) heteroaryl group; with the proviso that only one of the R 7 and R 8 is hydrogen; and (B) R 9 is hydrogen, a halogen, or a methyl group. Examples The following examples are provided to illustrate different embodiments and details of the invention. Although the examples serve this puφose, the particular ingredients and amounts used as well as other conditions and details are not to be construed in a manner that would unduly limit the scope of this invention. Unless otherwise specified, all percentages are in weight percent. Adhesion Testing The adhesion between an acrylate-based overcoat, the inventive coating composition, and a polyeseter-based substrate was determined by using Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test under ASTM D 3359-95a. In all examples described below. Test Method B — '"Cross-Cut Tape Test," where eleven (11) cuts in each direction were made in the coating film. The test method also provides for a rating scale, as shown in Figure 1, for classification of the adhesion testing. A rating value of 1 means there is little to no adhesion between the various layers and the substrate. A rating value of 4 to 5 means there is good adhesion between the various layers and the substrate. For convenience, the following abbreviations are used in the Examples. TABLE 1 Various Components Used for the Water-based Coating Composition Components Description C/S Latex Core/shell latex polymer at about 34% solids. SPET Sulfonated polyester, a water-soluble polymer at about 20% solids. HG54D Waterborne acrylic resin, a water-soluble polymer at about 41% solids, commercially available from Rohm and Haas as Maincote " HG54D WL96 Waterborne acrylic-styrene polymer, a water-soluble polymer at about 42% solids, commercially available from Rohm and Haas as Rhoplex ® WL96 PR71 Waterborne acrylic resin, a water-soluble polymer at about 50.6% solids, commercially available from Rohm and Haas as Maincote ® PR71 PVDC Polyvinylidene chloride polymer latex, a water-soluble polymer at about 22.7% solids. SL-1 12 Polyvinylidene chloride polymer latex, a water-soluble polymer at about 53% solids, commercially available from Hampshire Chemical Co. Example 3 of US A latex composition containing 35 mol % ethyl acrylate. 21 mol % 4.098,952 methyl (meth)acrylate, 7 mol % glycidyl (meth)acrylate, 1 mol % hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, and 36 mol % acrylonitrile; a water- soluble polymer at about 30% solids. C-373 Aqueous methylated melamine-formaldehyde resin, a crosslinking agent at about 80% solids, commercially available from Cytec Industries as Cymel ® 373 C-323 Aqueous methylated melamine-formaldehyde resin, a crosslinking agent at about 88% solids, commercially available from Cytec Industries as Cymel ® 323 PTSA Para-tolulene sulfonic acid, a catalyst at 100 % solids, commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company. Maleic Acid A catalyst supplied at 100% by the Aldrich Chemical Company, but used at 10% solids by weight solution (by diluting 10 grams of catalyst in 90 grams of water). X-100 Octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, a surfactant supplied at 100% solids by the Union Carbide Co. as Triton & X-100, but used at a 10% solids by weight solution (by diluting 10 grams of surfactant in 90 grams of water). DI Water De-ionized water Examples 1 to 25 A previously biaxially oriented PET film having a thickness of about 0.13 mm (0.005 inch) was corona treated at flux of 0.2 mJ/cm". In a small container equipped with a conventional mixing device, various 100 gram batches of the water-based composition was made with various components in amounts (all in grams) as specified in Table 2. The composition was coated on PET film. The coated PET film was dried in an oven at about 107° C (225° F) for about 30 seconds. On the exposed surface of the coated composition, an ultraviolet (UV) light curable acrylate-based monomer was coated and UV cured. The adhesion between acrylated based film, the prime layer, and the PET film was tested in accordance with ASTM D 3359-95a Test Method B, using a rating scale of 1 to 5. T ABLE 2 Components for Examples 1 to 25 (in grams) Examples 1 to 9 in Table 2 indicates that when a combination of the core-shell latex is used with some of water-soluble polymer, good to excellent adhesion of the layers is achieved. Not all water-soluble polymers, however, provided good adhesion. For example, in Examples 12 to 18. water-soluble polymers such as PVDC or SL-1 12 did not provide good adhesion, even when the core-shell latex was used. When core-shell latex was used without the water-soluble polymer (Examples 10 to 1 1) or when the water-soluble polymer was used without core-shell latex (Examples 19 to 25), poor adhesion between the layers was observed. Example 26 A latex composition was prepared as described in Example 3 of US Patent 4,098,952 (Kelly et al.), the components being listed in Table 1 above. The latex was diluted with deionized water to 3.5% solids content and 0.15 weight percent of a surfactant, Trition™ X-100 was added. A previously biaxially oriented PET film having a thickness of about 0.13 mm (0.005 inch) was corona treated at flux of 0.2 mJ/cirT. The latex was coated on to the PET film and dried in an oven at about 107° C (225° F) for about 30 seconds. The dry coating thickness was about 0.1 micrometers. On the surface of the latex, an ultraviolet (UV) light curable acrylate-based monomer was coated and UV cured. The adhesion between acrylate film, the latex, and the PET film was tested in accordance with ASTM D 3359-95a Test Method B. The adhesion was observed to be about 1. using a rating scale of 1 to 5. Examples 27 to 29 To the latex composition of Example 3 of US 4.098.952, additional components were added according to Table 3 to yield a coating composition. The amount of each component was in grams. A total batch size of 17.000 grams was made for each example. Maleic acid was used as a catalyst in the formulations. The composition was coated on to a 0.38 mm (0.015 inch) uniaxially oriented PET film and forced air dried in an oven at about 107° C (225° F) for about 30 seconds. The PET film was then oriented in the transverse direction to a final film thickness of about 0.13 mm (0.005 inch). On the surface of the primed layer, an ultraviolet light curable acrylate-based monomer was coated and UV cured. The adhesion between acrylate film, the prime layer, and the PET film was tested in accordance with ASTM D 3359-95a Test Method B and a rating scale of between 1 to 5. TABLE 3: Components for Examples 27 to 29 (in grams) Example 27 showed that when the water-soluble polymer (as formulated from the coating composition of Example 3 of US Patent 4.098.952) was used alone, poor adhesion between and among the layers was observed. In contrast, when the core/shell latex is used with the formulation of Example 3 of US Patent 4,098.952, there was a significant increase in adhesion of the layers, as shown in Examples 28 and 29. All references cited above, including patents discussed in the Background, are incoφorated by reference in their entirety into this document. The present invention may be suitably practiced in the absence of any element or item not specifically described in this document.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A water-based composition suitable for coating a polyester-based substrate, the composition comprising: (a) from about lto 8 percent solids by weight of core-shell latex polymer wherein the core has a lower T g than the shell, the latex comprising: ( 1 ) the core formed from (i) about 60 to 95 parts by weight of at least one α. β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to about 35 parts by weight of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on a total weight of the core; and (2) the shell formed from (i) about 35 to 95 parts by weight of at least one α. β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl methacrylates and aromatic methacrylates; and (iii) at least 5 parts by weight of a polar monomer, based on the total weight of the shell (b) from about 4 to 16 percent solids by weight of a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resin, sulfonated polyester-based resin, vinyl-based resin, and combinations thereof: (c) from about 0.2 to 20 percent solids by weight of a melamine crosslinking agent; and (d) from about 0.05 to 0.2 percent solids by weight of a surfactant. 2. The composition of claim 1. wherein the α. β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate. isodecyl methacrylate. cyclohexyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate. styrene. vinyl esters, and combinations thereof. 3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bicylic alkyl methacrylates is selected from the group consisting of dicyclopentenyl methacrylate. norbornyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. 4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polar monomer is selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates; N- alkylacrylamide; N.N-dialkyl amino alkyl (meth)acrylate; monoalkyl amino alkyl (meth)acrylate. the cationic salt of N.N-dialkyl amino alkyl (meth)acrylate, and N-alkyl amino alkyl (meth)acrylate. all of the alkyl groups containing up to about 12 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. 5. The composition of claim 1. wherein the crosslinking agent comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, alkyd resins, alkyl melamines, aryl melamines, benzo guanamines, guanamines. alkyl guanamines. aryl guanamines with an aldehyde, and combinations thereof. 6. The composition of claim 1. wherein the crosslinking agent is methylated melamine formaldehyde resin. 7. The composition of claim 1. wherein the surfactant is octyl polyethyoxy ethanol. 8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising from about 0.0001 to 10 percent solids by weight of a slip agent having an average particle size from about 0.1 micrometer to 10 micrometer. 9. The composition of claim 1 further comprising from about 0.005 to 1.0 percent solids by weight of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of para-toluene sulfonic acid and maleic acid. 10. The composition of claim 1 comprising from about 0.1 to 2 percent solids by weight of a melamine crosslinking agent. 11. A primed film comprising: (a) a polyester substrate having a major surface; and (b) a prime layer disposed on at least a portion of the major surface of the substrate, the prime layer formed from the coating composition of claim 1. 12. The film of claim 1 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, oriented polyethylene terephthalate. polyethylene naphthalate, oriented polyethylene naphthalate, and copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. 13. The film of claim 12 further comprising an overcoat disposed on the prime layer. 14. The film of claim 13. wherein the adhesion between the substrate, the prime layer, and the overcoat has a value of between 4 to 5 as measured under ASTM D 3359-95a, Test Method B. 15. The film of claim 1 1. wherein the prime layer is light transmissible. 16. A method of making a primed biaxially oriented polyester film, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a uniaxially oriented polyester film having a major surface. the film being stretched in machine direction; (b) coating the composition of claim 1 onto the major surface of the uniaxially oriented film; (c) partially drying the coating composition; and (d) stretching the uniaxially oriented film in a transverse direction. 17. The method of claim 16. wherein the biaxially oriented film is polyethylene terephthalate. 11 18. A method of making a primed biaxially oriented film, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a biaxially oriented polyester film having a major surface; (b) treating at least a portion of the major surface of the film with a surface treatment; (c) coating the composition of claim 1 onto at least a portion the major surface of the biaxially oriented film; and (d) drying the coating composition. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface treatment is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen corona and air corona treatment. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the corona treatment is about 0.2 millijoules per square meter.

Inventors: KAUSCH WILLIAM L, KAUSCH, WILLIAM, L.
Applicants: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO, 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Application year: 2000
Main classification: C09D151
IPC codes: B29C55, B32B27, C08F265, C08J7, C08L51, C09D5, C09D133, C09D151, C09D167