BACKGROUND

[0001] Disclosed herein is a primerless paint composition, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same.

[0002] Growing consumer demand for safer, polyvinylchloride (PVC)-free children's products has caused major toy brand manufacturers to phase out the use of PVC and to offer PVC-free products. Due to environmental regulations and market trends, polyolefm elastomers (POEs) are becoming more popular in toys and infant product applications.

[0003] However, the application of paint to polyolefm substrates remains a challenging task because of the lack of polar functional groups on the polyolefm substrate and because of the subsequent low surface energy surface coatings. This limitation has resulted in limited adoption of polyolefm elastomers in paintable toys, which represents a large portion of the plastic toys market.

[0004] PVC based paintswork very well for PVC substrates but not for polyolefm substrates due to poor adhesion.Acrylic polymer based paints are widely used in different applications, but these acrylic based paints also display a lack of adhesion to polyolefm substrates. In addition, the acrylic polymer based paints are too brittle for polyolefm elastomer substrates and as a result are easily damaged during use.

[0005] Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) based paints are also used to coat a variety of commercial products. These thermoplastic rubber based paints comprise polystyrene-butene- polystyrene (SBS) resins, which imparts flexibility of the paint. However, these TPR based paints also display adhesion problems to polyolefm elastomer substrates. In order to enhance adhesion to the polyolefm elastomer substrates, several steps may be taken. These include 1) surface pretreatment of the polyolefm elastomer substrate, such as plasma, flame, chemical etching, and the like; 2) bulk modification by incorporating polar ingredients (e.g. polyurethane) into the substrate; and 3) use a primer that functions as a tie-layer between the substrate and paint. However, all of these methods add additional manufacturing steps and costs to the product.

[0006] Painting is often the most labor intensive and complicated step during a products manufacturing. Using a primer as a tie-layer between the substrate and paint can improve the adhesion of the paint to the polyolefm elastomer substrate, but significantly increases the cost. It is therefore desirable to use primerless paints that have good adhesion with the polyolefm elastomer substratesto reduce the cost of manufactured goods. SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed herein is a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, a polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier.

[0008] Disclosed herein too is a method comprising blending a primerless paint composition comprising a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm elastomer; one or more of a polyacrylic binder, polyvinylchloride binder and a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder; a pigment; and a liquid carrier; and disposing the primerless paint composition on a polyolefm elastomer substrate that does not have a primer disposed on it prior to the disposing of the primerless paint composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Figure 1 contains a process map of the methods in which the various substrates were painted;

[0010] Figure 2 depicts the eraser test method schematic;

[0011] Figure 3 shows the cross-hatch testing schematic: (a) painted plaque; (b) scribed squares; (c) applying tape to surface; (d) removal of tape from surface; and (e) checking the percentage of squares with paint removed;

[0012] Figure 4 depicts the adhesion test result ranking criteria by ISO 2409/ASTM

D3359 Method B;

[0013] Figure 5 shows photographs of comparative primerless paint system (PVC paint, SBS paint, acrylic paint);.

[0014] Figure 6 shows photographs of comparative acrylic/CPP primerless paint;

[0015] Figure 7 shows photographs of comparative primer and paint using a two-step procedure (PVC paint, SBS paint, acrylic paint); and

[0016] Figure 8 show photographs of inventive primerless paints (SBS paint, acrylic paint). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The singular forms "a,""an," and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs, and instances where it does not occur. [0019] "Composition", "formulation" and like terms means a mixture or blend of two or more components. In the context of the inventive compositions of this invention, the mixture or blend of materials include a polyolefm and an ethylene- -olefin interpolymer and, optionally, one or more fillers or additives.

[0020] "Blend,""polymer blend" and like terms mean a composition of two or more polymers. Such a blend may or may not be miscible. Such a blend may or may not be phase separated. Such a blend may or may not contain one or more domain configurations, as determined from transmission electron spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray scattering, and any other method known in the art. Such blends include both mechanical blends made by admixing two or more of the components together in any mechanical manner, e.g., stirring, tumbling, folding, etc., and in-situ or in-reactor blends made by forming and/or mixing the blend components together during the polymerization process in which the polymer components are made.

[0021] "Polymer" means a polymeric compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type. The generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term interpolymer as defined below.

[0022] "Interpolymer" means a polymer prepared by the polymerization of at least two different types of monomers. This generic term includes copolymers, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from two different types of monomers, and polymers prepared from more than two different types of monomers, e.g., terpolymers, tetrapolymers, and the like.

[0023] "Olefm-based polymer", "polyolefm" and like terms mean a polymer containing, in polymerized form, a majority weight percent of an olefin, for example ethylene or propylene, based on the total weight of the polymer. Non-limiting examples of olefm-based polymers include ethylene-based polymers and propylene-based polymers.

[0024] "Random ethylene-a-olefm interpolymers", "homogeneous interpolymers" and like terms mean an interpolymer or interpolymer in which the comonomer is randomly distributed within a given interpolymer molecule and in which the majority, if not substantially all, of the interpolymer molecules of the bulk polymer have the same or essentially the same ethylene/comonomer ratio within that interpolymer. In contrast, non-random or heterogeneous interpolymers are interpolymers in which the majority of the interpolymer molecules of the bulk polymer do not have the same or essentially the same ethylene/comonomer ratio.

[0025] "Bulk polymer" and like terms mean the polymer which results from the polymerization process. [0026] "Plasticizer" and like terms mean an additive that can increase the flexibility and lower the glass transition temperature of a polymer thus increasing the flexibility and softening the feel of an article made from the polymer. Exemplary plasticizers include mineral oils, abietates, adipates, alkyl sulfonates, azelates, benzoates, chlorinated paraffins, citrates, epoxides, glycol ethers and their esters, glutarates, polybutenes, ricinoleates, hydrocarbon oils, isobutyrates, oleates, pentaerythritolderivates, phosphates, phthalates, esters, sebacates, sulfonamides, tri-and pryromellitates, biphenyl derivates, stearates, difurandiesters, fluorine- containing polymers, and the like. Where used, the amount of the plasticizer in the polymer blend can be from greater than 0 to 15 wt%, from 0.5 to 10 wt%, or from 1 to 5 wt% of the total weight of the polymer blend. Some plasticizers are described in George Wypych, "Handbook of Plasticizers"ChemTec Publishing, Toronto-Scarborough, Ontario (2004).

[0027] "Phthalate-based plasticizer" and like terms mean an additive based on an ester of phthalic acid or similar compound. Common phthalate-based plasticizers include bis(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, bis(n-butyl) phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate.

[0028] "Free of and like terms mean that if a composition, paint or the like contains any amount of a particular substance, then the amount of that substance that it does contain is less than the amount allowed by a particular government regulation, customer specification, or the like.

[0029] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

[0030] Disclosed herein is a primerless paint composition that comprises a carboxylatedsoft chlorinated polyolefin elastomer (hereinafter a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin) and one or more of an acrylic polymer, a polyvinylchloride binder and a thermoplastic rubber. The primerless paint composition may additionally contain a pigment and an organic solvent. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic rubberis copolymer that comprises a vinyl aromatic polymer and an olefin polymer. This composition is advantageous in that it may be used without a primer on a substrate that comprises a polyolefin (e.g., a polyolefin elastomer substrate) thereby decreasing material and manufacturing costs. In one embodiment, the primerless paint composition does not contain a polyvinylchloride. In another embodiment, the primerless paint composition does contain a polyvinylchloride. The presence of the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin facilitates adhesion to a variety of substrates, particularly substrates that contains polyolefms. The primerless paint composition may be used on polyolefm substrates or polyolefm elastomer substrates that do not have a primer disposed on them or have been subjected to a surface pretreatment involving plasma, flame, chemical etching, or the like, prior to applying the paint composition. In short, there is no need to pretreat the substrate prior to the application of paint.

[0031] Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing the primerless paint composition. The method comprises blending the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm, the maleic anhydride modified polyolefm and one or more of an acrylic polymer and a thermoplastic rubber; and optionally a pigment and an organic solvent. The primerless paint composition may then be applied to a substrate by a variety of different methods including brush coating, spray painting, dip coating, spin casting, and the like.

[0032] The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm may comprise a linear polymer or a crosslinked polymer and has an elastic modulus of less than 100 megapascals(MPa), specifically less than 50 MPa, and more specifically less than 20 MPa. This low elastic modulus results in a polyolefm that is soft to the touch and that facilitates adhesion between the paint and the substrate upon which the paint is disposed.

[0033] The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm (i.e., the carboxylated soft chlorinated polyolefm elastomer) is prepared by reacting a polyolefm with one or more of unsaturated carboxylic esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, vinyl monomers, acrylic monomers, or mixtures thereof to form a carboxylated polyolefm. The carboxylated polyolefm is then chlorinated by reaction with at least one chlorinating agent to form a chlorinated polyolefm. The chlorinating agent can be any that is capable of chlorinating polyolefms. However, the order of these two steps is not critical. In an exemplary embodiment, the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm is prepared by chlorinating the polyolefm prior to the introduction of the carboxyl-containing compounds. An exemplary carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm is a maleic anhydride modified polyolefm.

[0034] The polyolefm used to manufacture the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm are ethylene-a-olefm random interpolymers, ethylene-a-olefm block interpolymers,homogenous polypropylene and propylene-a-olefm random interpolymers, block interpolymers, or a combination thereof.

[0035] Ethylene-a-olefm random interpolymers used in the practice of this invention comprise a majority weight percent polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers), and at least one polymerized α-olefm comonomer. These random polyolefms have a density of less than 0.91, specifically less than 0.90, more specifically less than 0.89, and even more specifically less than 0.88, g/cm ³ . Low density polyolefm interpolymers are generally characterized as amorphous, flexible and having good optical properties, e.g., high transmission of visible and UV-light and low haze. The ethylene-a-olefm random interpolymers used herein have a melt index I ₂ of 0.1 to 50, more typically 0.2 to 30, g/10 min, when measured as per ASTM D1238 at 230°C.

[0036] In one embodiment, the polyolefm random interpolymers are made with a single site catalyst such as a metallocene catalyst or a constrained geometry catalyst. The ethylene-a- olefm random interpolymers are made with a single-site catalyst, and have a melting point of less than 95, specifically less than 90, more specifically less than 85, even more specifically less than 80 and still more specifically less than 75°C. The melting point is measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as described, for example, in USP 5,783,638. Polyolefm random interpolymers with a low melting point often exhibit desirable flexibility and elastic properties.

[0037] The polyolefm random interpolymers include ethylene-a-olefm interpolymers having ana-olefm content of between 10 and 20, specifically at least 1 1 and even more specifically at least 12, mole percent as measured by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using the procedure described in Randall (Rev. Macromol. Chem. Phys., C29 (2&3)). Generally, the greater the α-olefm content of the interpolymer, the lower the density and the more amorphous the interpolymer.

[0038] The α-olefm is specifically a C3_ ₂ o linear, branched or cyclic a-olefm. Examples of C ₃ - ₂ o a-olefins include propene, 1-butene, 4-methyl-l-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, and 1-octadecene. The a-olefins can also contain a cyclic structure such as cyclohexane or cyclopentane, resulting in ana-olefm such as 3- cyclohexyl-1 -propene (allyl cyclohexane) and vinyl cyclohexane. Although not α-olefins in the classical sense of the term, for purposes of this disclosure certain cyclic olefins, such as norbomene and related olefins, are α-olefins and can be used in place of some or all of the a- olefins described above. Illustrative terpolymers include ethylene/propylene/l-octene, ethylene/propylene/butene and ethylene-/butene/l-octene.

[0039] More specific examples of olefmic random interpolymers useful for use as the carboxylated chlorinated elastomer include very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), homogeneously branched, linear ethylene-a-olefm interpolymers (e.g. TAFMER™ by Mitsui Petrochemicals Company Limited and EXACT™by Exxon Chemical Company), and homogeneously branched, substantially linear ethylene-a-olefm polymers (e.g., AFFINITY™and ENGAGE™polyethylene resins available from The Dow Chemical Company). The more preferred polyolefm interpolymers are the homogeneously branched linear and substantially linear ethylene interpolymers. The substantially linear ethylene interpolymers are especially preferred, and are more fully described in USP 5,272,236, 5,278,272 and 5,986,028.

[0040] As detailed above, ethylene-a-olefin block interpolymers may also be carboxylated and chlorinated to form the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefms. "Multi-block interpolymer", "segmented interpolymer" and like terms refer to a polymer comprising two or more chemically distinct regions or segments (referred to as "blocks") preferably joined (e.g., covalently bonded or ionically bonded) in a linear manner, that is, a polymer comprising chemically differentiated units which are joined end-to-end with respect to polymerized ethylenic functionality, rather than in pendent or grafted fashion. In an exemplary embodiment, the blocks differ in the amount or type of incorporated comonomer, density, amount of crystallinity, crystallite size attributable to a polymer of such composition, type or degree of tacticity (isotactic or syndiotactic), regio-regularity or regio-irregularity, amount of branching (including long chain branching or hyper- branching), homogeneity or any other chemical or physical property. The multi-block interpolymers disclosed herein are characterized by unique distributions of both polymerpolydispersity (PDI or Mw/Mn or MWD), block length distribution, and/or block number distribution, due, in a preferred embodiment, to the effect of the shuttling agent(s) in combination with multiple catalysts used in their preparation. More specifically, when produced in a continuous process, the polymers desirably possess a polydispersity index (PDI) from 1.7 to 3.5, specifically from 1.8 to 3, more specifically from 1.8 to 2.5, and most specifically from 1.8 to 2.2. When produced in a batch or semi- batch process, the polymers desirably possess a PDI from 1.0 to 3.5, specifically from 1.3 to 3, more specifically from 1.4 to 2.5, and most specifically from 1.4 to 2.

[0041] The term "ethylene multi-block interpolymer" means a multi-block interpolymer comprising ethylene and one or more interpolymerizablecomonomers, in which ethylene comprises a plurality of the polymerized monomer units of at least one block or segment in the polymer, specifically at least 90, more specifically at least 95 and most specifically at least 98, mole percent of the block. Based on total polymer weight, the ethylene multi-block interpolymers used in the practice of the present invention specifically have an ethylene content from 25 to 97, more specifically from 40 to 96, even more specifically from 55 to 95 and most specifically from 65 to 85, percent.

[0042] Because the respective distinguishable segments or blocks formed from two of more monomers are joined into single polymer chains, the polymer cannot be completely fractionated using standard selective extraction techniques. For example, polymers containing regions that are relatively crystalline (high density segments) and regions that are relatively amorphous (lower density segments) cannot be selectively extracted or fractionated using differing solvents. In a preferred embodiment the quantity of extractable polymer using either a dialkyl ether or an alkane- solvent is less than 10, specifically less than 7, more specifically less than 5 and most specifically less than 2, percent of the total polymer weight.

[0043] In addition, the multi-block interpolymers used in the practice of the invention desirably possess a PDI fitting a Schutz-Flory distribution rather than a Poisson distribution. The use of the polymerization process described in WO 2005/090427 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668 results in a product having both a polydisperse block distribution as well as a polydisperse distribution of block sizes. This results in the formation of polymer products having improved and distinguishable physical properties. The theoretical benefits of a polydisperse block distribution have been previously modeled and discussed in Potemkin, Physical Review E (1998) 57 (6), pp. 6902-6912, and Dobrynin, J. Chem.Phvs. (1997) 107 (21), pp 9234-9238.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the polymers of the invention, especially those made in a continuous, solution polymerization reactor, possess a most probable distribution of block lengths. In one embodiment of this invention, the ethylene multi-block interpolymers are defined as having:

(a) Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, at least one melting point, Tm, in degrees Celsius, and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, where in the numerical values ofT _m and d correspond to the relationship

Tm > -2002.9 + 4538.5(d) - 2422.2(d) ² , or

(b) Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, and is characterized by a heat of fusion, ΔΗ in J/g, and a delta quantity, ΔΤ, in degrees Celsius defined as the temperature difference between the tallest DSC peak and the tallest CRYSTAF peak, wherein the numerical values of ΔΤ and ΔΗ have the following relationships:

ΔΤ > -0.1299 (ΔΗ) + 62.81 for ΔΗ greater than zero and up to 130 J/g

ΔΤ > 48°C for ΔΗ greater than 130 J/g wherein the CRYSTAF peak is determined using at least 5 percent of the cumulative polymer, and if less than 5 percent of the polymer has an identifiable CRYSTAF peak, then the CRYSTAF temperature is 30C; or

(c) Elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle measured with a compression-molded film of the ethylene/a-olefm interpolymer, and has a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the numerical values of Re and d satisfy the following relationship when ethylene-a-olefm interpolymer is substantially free of crosslinked phase:

Re > 1481 - 1629(d); or

(d) Has a molecular weight fraction which elutes between 40°C and 130°C when fractionated using TREF, characterized in that the fraction has a molar comonomer content of at least 5 percent higher than that of a comparable random ethylene interpolymer fraction eluting between the same temperatures, wherein said comparable random ethylene interpolymer has the same comonomer(s) and has a melt index, density and molar comonomer content (based on the whole polymer) within 10 percent of that of the ethylene-a-olefin interpolymer; or

(e) Has a storage modulus at 25°C, G'(25°C), and a storage modulus at 100°C,G ^* (100 ^o C), wherein the ratio of G'(25C) to G'(100°C) is in the range of about 1 : 1 to about 9: 1.

[0045] The ethylene-a-olefin interpolymer may also have:

(a) Molecular fraction which elutes between 40°C and 130°C when fractionated using

TREF, characterized in that the fraction has a block index of at least 0.5 and up to about 1 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw Mn, greater than about 1.3; or

(b) Average block index greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn greater than about 1.3.

[0046] Suitable monomers for use in preparing the ethylene multi-block interpolymers used in the practice of this present invention include ethylene and one or more addition polymerizable monomers other than ethylene. Examples of suitable comonomers include straight-chain or branched -olefins of 3 to 30, specifically 3 to 20, carbon atoms, such as propylene, 1-butene, 1 -pentene, 3-methyl-l-butene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-l-pentene, 3-methyl-l- pentene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene and 1- eicosene; cyclo-olefms of 3 to 30, specifically 3 to 20, carbon atoms, such as cyclopentene, cycloheptene, norbornene, 5-methyl-2-norbornene, tetracyclododecene, and 2-methyl-l,4,5,8- dimethano-l,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydronaphthalene; conjugated dienes such as butadiene, isoprene, 4-methyl-l,3-pentadiene, 1 ,3-pentadiene, 1 ,4-pentadiene, 1,5-hexadiene, 1,4- hexadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, 1,3-octadiene, 1 ,4-octadiene, 1,5-octadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 1,7- octadiene, ethylidenenorbornene, vinyl norbornene, dicyclopentadiene, 7-methyl-l-6-octadiene, 4-ethylidene-8-methyl-l,7-nonadiene, 5,9-dimethyl-l,4,8-decatriene; 3-phenylpropene, 4- phenylpropene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, and 3,3,3-trifluoro-l-propene.

[0047] Other ethylene multi-block interpolymers that can be used are elastomeric interpolymers of ethylene, a C3-2oCt-olefin, especially propylene, and, optionally, one or more diene monomers. Preferred α-olefm for use in this embodiment are designated by the formula CH ₂ =CHR , where R is a linear or branched alkyl group of froml to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable a-olefins includepropylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1 -pentene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-l- pentene, and 1-octene. One particularly preferred α-olefm is propylene. The propylene based polymers are generally referred to in the art as EP or EPDM polymers. Suitable dienes for use in preparing such polymers, especially multi-block EPDM type- polymers include conjugated or non-conjugated, straight or branched chain-, cyclic- or polycyclic dienes containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferred dienes include 1,4- pentadiene, 1 ,4-hexadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, dicyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, and 5-butylidene-2-norbornene. One particularly preferred diene is 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene.

[0048] Because the diene containing polymers contain alternating segments or blocks containing greater or lesser quantities of the diene (including none) and a-olefin (including none), the total quantity of diene and a-olefin may be reduced without loss of subsequent polymer properties. That is, because the diene and α-olefin monomers are preferentially incorporated into one type of block of the polymer rather than uniformly or randomly throughout the polymer, they are more efficiently utilized and subsequently the crosslink density of the polymer can be better controlled. Such crosslinkable elastomers and the cured products have advantaged properties, including higher tensile strength and better elastic recovery.

[0049] The ethylene multi-block interpolymers have a density of less than 0.90, specifically less than 0.89, more specifically less than 0.885, even more specifically less than 0.88 and even more specifically less than 0.875 g/cc. The ethylene multi-block interpolymers generally have a density greater than 0.85, and more specifically greater than 0.86 g/cc. Density is measured by the procedure of ASTM D-792. Low density ethylene multi-block interpolymers are generally characterized as amorphous, flexible and having good optical properties, e.g., high transmission of visible and UV-light and low haze.

[0050] The ethylene multi-block interpolymers useful in the practice of this invention have a 2% secant modulus of less than about 100, specifically less than about 80, more specifically less than about 50 and even more specifically less than about 20MPa as measured by the procedure of ASTM D-882-02. The ethylene multi-block interpolymers typically have a 2% secant modulus of greater than zero, but the lower the modulus, the better the interpolymer is adapted for use in this primerless paint. The secant modulus is the slope of a line from the origin of a stress-strain diagram and intersecting the curve at a point of interest, and it is used to describe the stiffness of a material in the inelastic region of the diagram. Low modulus ethylene multi-block interpolymers are particularly well adapted for use in this invention because they provide stability under stress, e.g., less prone to crack upon stress or shrinkage.

[0051] The ethylene multi-block interpolymers generally have a melting point of less than about 125°C. The melting point is measured by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method described in WO 2005/090427 (US2006/0199930). Ethylene multi-block interpolymers with a low melting point often exhibit desirable flexibility and thermoplasticity properties useful in the fabrication of the modules of this invention.

[0052] The ethylene multi-block interpolymers used in the practice of this invention, and their preparation and use, are more fully described in USP 7,579,408, 7,355,089, 7,524,911, 7,514,517, 7,582,716 and 7,504,347.

[0053] The polyolefm elastomersmay also comprise random or block propylene polymers (i.e., polypropylenes). The random polypropylene elastomer typically comprises90 or more mole percent units derived from propylene. The remainder of the units in the propylene copolymer is derived from units of at least one a-olefm. In the context of this invention, random polypropylene copolymers are not propylene-a-olefin interpolymers.

[0054] The a-olefm component of the propylene copolymer is preferably ethylene (considered an a-olefm for purposes of this invention) or a C4-20 linear, branched or cyclic a-olefm. Examples of C ₄ _ ₂ oa-olefins include 1-butene, 4-methyl-l-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, and 1-octadecene. The a-olefins also can contain a cyclic structure such as cyclohexane or cyclopentane, resulting in ana-olefm such as 3-cyclohexyl-l-propene (allyl cyclohexane) and vinyl cyclohexane. Although not α-olefins in the classical sense of the term, for purposes of this invention certain cyclic olefins, such as norbornene and related olefins, particularly 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, are α-olefins and can be used in place of some or all of the α-olefins described above. Similarly, styrene and its related olefins (for example,a-methylstyrene, and the like) are α-olefins for purposes of this invention. Illustrative random propylene copolymers include but are not limited to propylene/ethylene, propylene/ 1-butene, propylene/ 1-hexene, propylene/ 1-octene, and the like. Illustrative terpolymers include ethylene/propylene/ 1-octene, ethylene/propylene/ 1-butene, and ethylene/propylene/diene monomer (EPDM).

[0055] In one embodiment the random polypropylene copolymer has a T _m greater than 120°C, and/or a heat of fusion greater than 70 J/g (both measured by DSC) and preferably, but not necessarily, made via Ziegler-Natta catalysis.

[0056] In another embodiment, the polyolefm elastomer is a propylene-a-olefin interpolymer and is characterized as having substantially isotactic propylene sequences. The propylene-a-olefin interpolymers include propylene-based elastomers (PBE). "Substantially isotactic propylene sequences" means that the sequences have an isotactic triad (mm) measured by ¹³ C NMR of greater than 0.85; in the alternative, greater than 0.90; in another alternative, greater than 0.92; and in another alternative, greater than 0.93. Isotactic triads are well-known in the art and are described in, for example, USP 5,504,172 and International Publication No. WO 00/01745, which refers to the isotactic sequence in terms of a triad unit in the copolymer molecular chain determined by ¹³ C NMR spectra.

[0057] The propylene-a-olefm copolymer comprises units derived from propylene and polymeric units derived from one or more α-olefm comonomers. Exemplary comonomers utilized to manufacture the propylene-a-olefm copolymer are C ₂ and C ₄ to C ₁₀ α-olefms; for example, C ₂ , C ₄ , C ₆ and Cg a-olefms.

[0058] The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer comprises from 1 to 40 percent by weight of one or more alpha-olefm comonomers. All individual values and subranges from 1 to 40 weight percent are included herein and disclosed herein. The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer may have a melt flow rate in the range of from 0.1 to 500 grams per 10 minutes (g/lOmin), measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238 (at 230°C/2.16 Kg). The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer has crystallinity in the range of from at least 1 percent by weight (a heat of fusion (H _f ) of at least 2 Joules/gram (J/g)) to 30 percent by weight (aH _f of less than 50 J/g). The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer has a density of typically less than 0.895 g/cm ³ .The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer has a melting temperature (T _m ) typically of less than 120°Cand a heat of fusion (H _f ) typically of less than 70 Joules per gram (J/g) as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as described in USP 7, 199,203. The propylene-a-olefm interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution (MWD), defined as weight average molecular weight divided by number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 3.5 or less; or 3.0 or less; or from 1.8 to 3.0.

[0059] Such propylene-a-olefm interpolymers are further described in the USP 6,960,635 and 6,525, 157, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such propylene-a-olefm interpolymers are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company, under the trade name VERSIFY™, or from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, under the trade name VISTAMAXX™.

[0060] In one embodiment, the propylene-a-olefm interpolymers are further characterized as comprising (A) between 60 and less than 100, preferably between 80 and 99 and more preferably between 85 and 99, weight percent units derived from propylene, and (B) between greater than zero and 40, preferably between 1 and 20, more preferably between 4 and 16 and even more preferably between 4 and 15, weight percent units derived from at least one of ethylene and/or a C ₄ _ioa-olefm; and containing an average of at least 0.001 , specifically an average of at least 0.005 and more specifically an average of at least 0.01 , long chain branches/1000 total carbons. The maximum number of long chain branches in the propylene- a-olefm copolymer is not critical, but typically it does not exceed 3 long chain branches/ 1000 total carbons. The term long chain branch, as used herein with regard to propylene-a-olefm copolymers, refers to a chain length of at least one (1) carbon more than a short chain branch, and short chain branch, as used herein with regard to propylene-a-olefm copolymers, refers to a chain length of two (2) carbons less than the number of carbons in the comonomer. For example, a propylene- 1-octene interpolymer has backbones with long chain branches of at least seven (7) carbons in length, but these backbones also have short chain branches of only six (6) carbons in length. Such propylene/alpha-olefm copolymers are further described in details in the U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0285253 and International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/067337, then entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0061] The polyolefm elastomers detailed above may be carboxylated using a variety of different monomers. Examples of monomers used to carboxylate the polyolefm elastomer include unsaturated carboxylic esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, vinyl monomers, and acrylic monomers. In one embodiment, such monomers includemaleic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, glutaconic anhydride, 2,3- dimethylmaleic anhydride, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, 2-pentenoic acid, 2-methyl-2- pentenoic acid, dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, di-n-propyl maleate, diisopropyl maleate, dimethyl fumarate, diethyl fumarate, di-n-propyl fumarate, diisopropylfumarate, dimethyl itaconate, methyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl crotonate, ethyl crotonate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing monomers. An exemplary carboxylate monomer for use in the carboxylation of the polyolefm elastomer is maleic anhydride.

[0062] The concentration of the carboxylating monomer is 0.1 to 25 weight percent (wt%), specifically 2 to 20 wt%, and more specifically 4 to 18 wt%, based on the weight of polyolefm.

[0063] The carboxylate monomers are readily grafted to polyolefins, in a solution or melt phase, using radical initiators such as organic peroxides or azo compounds as initiators. In one embodiment, the monomers are grafted to the polyolefm in a solution process according to the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,182, incorporated herein by reference. Solvents with relatively low boiling points are typically easier to remove and consequently more desirable for use in this process. Exemplary solvents include chlorobenzene (boiling point (b.p.) 132°C), tert-butylbenzene (b.p. 169°C), and anisole (b.p. 154°C). In another embodiment, the monomers are grafted to the polyolefm in an extrusion process according to the procedure described U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,279, incorporated herein by reference. [0064] The carboxylatedpolyolefms are further reacted with at least one chlorinating agent to generate a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm. If desired, the carboxylated polyolefm prepared via the solution process described above may be chlorinated in the solvent used to prepare the carboxylated polyolefm. Alternatively, solvent may be removed from the carboxylated polyolefm and replaced with any suitable solvent for the reaction with chlorine. Carboxylated polyolefms prepared via the extrusion process described previously will typically be dissolved in a suitable solvent prior to the chlorination reaction. In one embodiment, the carboxylated polyolefms are chlorinated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,573, incorporated herein as reference. In another embodiment, the carboxylated polyolefms are chlorinated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,079, incorporated herein byreference. The chlorine content of the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm is 0.5 to 50 wt%, specifically 5 wt% to 30 wt%, based on the total weight of the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm.

[0065] In one embodiment, the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm can be acrylic or polyurethane modified as detailed in EP 1153996 Bl, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm may be present in the primerless paint composition in an amount of 1 to 99 wt%, specifically 2 to 70 wt% and more specifically 5 to 30 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition. Commercially available carboxylated chlorinated polyolefms may be obtained as HARDLEN ^® F-2P, HARDLEN ^® F-6P, HARDLEN ^® M-28P from Toyobo Company and SUPERCHLON ^® 930S, SUPERCHLON ^® 2319S and SUPERCHLON ^® 3228S from Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

[0067] As detailed above, the primerless paint composition comprises one or more of apolyacrylic binder or a vinyl aromatic block copolymerbinder. The polyacrylic binder is a polymerderived from an acrylate monomer that has a structure represented by formula (1):

where Ri is a hydrogen, hydroxyl or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of the first repeat monomer are acrylates and alkyl acrylates such as, for example, hydroxyacrylates, methyl acrylates, ethyl acrylates, propyl acrylates, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing acrylates. [0068] In one embodiment, the acrylate polymeris derived from a monomer having a structure represented by the formula (2):

H R _j

C=C

H C=0

O

^R 2 (2) where Ri is a hydrogen, hydroxyl or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R ₂ is a Ci_ io alkyl, a C3_iocycloalkyl, or a C ₇ _io aralkyl group. Examples of the (meth)acrylates are mefhacrylate, ethacrylate, propyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, methyl ethylacrylate, methyl propylacrylate, ethyl ethylacrylate, methyl arylacrylate, hydroxymethylacrylate, hydroxyethyacrylate, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing acrylates. The term "(meth)acrylate" implies that either an acrylate or methacrylate is contemplated unless otherwise specified.

[0069] The acrylate polymer has a number average molecular weight of 3,000 to 1,000,000 grams per mole, specifically 5,000 to 500,000 grams per mole. The polyacrylic binder may be used in amounts of 5 to 95 wt%, specifically 25 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0070] When an acrylate polymer is used in the primerless paint, an optional hardener may be used. The optional hardener can be an isocyanate or a polyisocyanate. The isocyanate or the polyisocyanate can be added to the primerless paint during manufacturing or alternatively, the acrylate polymer may be endcapped with an isocyanate functionality or with a polyisocyanate functionality. An exemplary isocyanate hardener is hexamethylenediisocyanate. The op hardener may be added in amounts of 0.5 to 20 wt%, specifically 1 to 10 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0071] The primerless paint composition may also contain a vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder in lieu of the polyacrylic binder or in combination with the polyacrylic binder. The term vinyl aromatic block copolymer means a polymer having at least one block segment of a vinyl aromatic monomer in combination with at least one saturated or unsaturated elastomeric monomer segment, and more preferably not having a block of polymer that is neither elastomeric nor vinyl aromatic. Examples of vinyl aromatic block copolymers are "styrene block copolymer or styrenic block copolymer". The term 'styrene block copolymer" or "styrenic block copolymer" means a polymer having at least one block segment of a styrenic monomer in combination with at least one saturated or unsaturated rubber monomer segment, and more preferably not having a block of polymer that is neither rubber or styrenic. Suitable styrene block copolymers having unsaturated rubber monomer units includestyrene-butadiene (SB), styrene-isoprene (SI), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene -isoprene-styrene (SIS), a-methylstyrene-butadiene-a-methylstyrene, a-methylstyrene-isoprene-a-methylstyrene, and the like. The term "styrene butadiene block copolymer" is used herein inclusive of SB, SBS and higher numbers of blocks of styrene (S) and butadiene (B). Similarly, the term "styrene isoprene block copolymer" is used inclusive of polymers having at least one block of styrene and one of isoprene (I). The structure of the styrene block copolymers can be of the linear or radial type, and of the diblock, triblock or higher block type. In some embodiments the styrenic block copolymers having at least four different blocks or a pair of two repeating blocks, for example, repeating styrene/butadiene or styrene/ethylene propylene blocks, are desirable. Styrene block copolymers are commercially available from Dexco Polymers under the trademark VECTOR ^® , from KRATON Polymers under the trademark KRATON™, from Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. under the trademark SOLPRENE™ and K-Resin, and from BASF Corp. under the trade designation STYROLUX™. The styrene block copolymers are optionally used singly or in combinations of two or more.

[0072] The styrenic portion of the block copolymer is preferably a polymer or interpolymer of styrene or its analogs or homologs, including a-methylstyrene, and ring- substituted styrenes, particularly ring-methylated styrenes. Preferred styrenics are styrene and a-methylstyrene, with styrene being especially preferred.

[0073] The elastomer portion of the block copolymer is optionally either unsaturated or saturated. Block copolymers with unsaturated elastomer monomer units may comprise homopolymers of butadiene or isoprene and copolymers of one or both of these two dienes with a minor amount of styrenic monomer. When the monomer employed is butadiene, it is preferred that between about 35 and about 55 mole percent of the condensed butadiene units in the butadiene polymer block have a 1 ,2-configuration. When such a block is hydrogenated, the resulting product is, or resembles, a regular copolymer block of ethylene and 1-butene (EB). If the conjugated diene employed is isoprene, the resulting hydrogenated product is or resembles a regular copolymer block of ethylene and propylene (EP). Preferred block copolymers have unsaturated elastomer monomer units, more preferably including at least one segment of a styrenic unit and at least one segment of butadiene or isoprene, with SBS and SIS most preferred. Among these, SIS is preferred because it has been found to be particularly effective to compatibilize polypropylene with other polymers in the composition according to the practice of the invention. Furthermore, it is preferred because of a lower tendency to crosslink forming gels during manufacture as compared to SBS. Styrene butadiene block copolymers are alternatively preferred when a cast tenterline is used in manufacturing a film when its higher clarity and lower haze are advantageous.

[0074] Elastomeric styrene block copolymers are preferred in the practice of the present invention to provide toughness and lower stiffness than would be obtained in the absence of the block copolymer. Elastomeric behavior is indicated by a property of tensile percent elongation at break of advantageously at least about 200, preferably at least about 220, more preferably at least about 240, most preferably at least about 260 and preferably at most about 2000, more preferably at most about 1700, most preferably at most about 1500 percent as measured by the procedures of ASTM D412 and/or ASTM D882. Industrially, most polymers of this type contain 10-80 wt % styrene. Within a specific type and morphology of polymer, as the styrene content increases the elastomeric nature of the block copolymer decreases.

[0075] The block copolymers desirably have a melt flow rate (MFR) of at least about 2, preferably at least about 4 grams per 10 minutes (g/10 min) and desirably at most 20 g/10 min, preferably at most 30 g/10 min. Measure MFR according to ASTM method D1238 Condition G.

[0076] Preferred styrenic block copolymers include styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers ("SIS"), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers ("SBS"), styrene-ethylene- propylene block copolymers ("SEP"), and hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer such as styrene-(ethylene butylene)-styrene block copolymers ("SEBS") (e.g., the SEBS commercially available from Kraton Polymers LLC under the trade designation KRATON™ 1657). Preferably, the styrenic block copolymer used in the primerless paint is SBS.

[0077] The styrene block copolymers also are preferably sufficiently impact resistant to add durability in paint applications. Notched Izod Impact resistance is measured according to the procedures of ASTM D256 and preferably gives a no break condition when tested at 72°F or 23°C.

[0078] In one embodiment, the styrene butadiene block copolymer has a radial or star block configuration with polybutadiene at the core and polystyrene at the tips of the arms. Such polymers are referred to herein as star styrene butadiene block copolymers and are within the skill in the art and commercially available from Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. under the trade designation K-Resin. These polymers contain about 27% butadiene or more in a star-block form and often feature a bimodal molecular weight distribution of polystyrene. The inner polybutadiene segments are of about the same molecular weight while the outer polystyrene segments are of different molecular weight. This feature facilitates control of polybutadiene segment thickness, to obtain improved clarity. For high clarity, the polybutadiene segment thickness is preferably about one-tenth of the wavelength of visible spectrum or less.

[0079] The vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder may be used in amounts of 5 to 95 wt%, specifically 25 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0080] In one embodiment, the polyacrylic binder and the vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder may both be simultaneously used in the primerless paint composition. When the polyacrylic binder and the vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder are used simultaneously in the primerless paint composition, the weight ratio of the polyacrylic binder to the vinyl aromatic block copolymer binder may vary in an amount of 1 :9 to 9: 1.

[0081] The polyvinylchloride binder comprises polyvinylchloride. In an embodiment, the polyvinylchloride binder includes a blend of polyvinylchloride with other polymers such as polyvinylacetates, polyacrylates, polymethylmethacrylates, and the like. The vinyl chloride polymer included in the polymer blends may be rigid or essentially rigid vinyl chloride polymer such as vinyl chloride homopolymers and interpolymers of vinyl chloride with interpolymerizable monomers such as vinyl esters of organic acids containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, e.g., vinyl acetate, vinyl stearate, and so forth; vinylidene chloride; symmetrical dichloroethylene; acrylonitrile; methacrylonitrile; alkyl acrylate esters in which the alkyl group contains 1 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate; the corresponding alkyl methacrylate esters; dialkyl esters of dibasic organic acids in which the alkyl groups contain 1 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., dibutylfumarate, diethyl maleate, and so forth. In general, where vinyl chloride interpolymers are employed, they should contain at least about 80 weight percent of vinyl chloride.

[0082] The polyvinylchloride binder may be used in amounts of 5 to 95 wt%, specifically 25 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0083] The primerless paint composition also comprises dyes and pigments. The dyes may be organic dyes and pigments or inorganic dyes and pigments. Examples of suitable organic dyes and pigments that can be used are anthranones and their derivatives; anthraquinones and their derivatives; croconines and their derivatives; monoazos, disazos, trisazos and their derivatives; benzimidazolones and their derivatives; diketopyrrolepyrroles and their derivatives; dioxazines and their derivatives; diarylides and their derivatives; indanthrones and their derivatives; isoindolines and their derivatives; isoindolinones and their derivatives; naphtols and their derivatives; perinones and their derivatives; perylenes and their derivatives such as perylenic acid anhydride or perylenic acid imide; ansanthrones and their derivative; dibenzpyrenequinones and their derivatives; pyranthrones and their derivatives; bioranthorones and their derivatives; isobioranthorone and their derivatives; diphenylmethane, and triphenylmethane, type pigments; cyanine and azomethine type pigments; indigoid type pigments; bisbenzoimidazole type pigments; azulenium salts; pyrylium salts; thiapyrylium salts; benzopyrylium salts; phthalocyanines and their derivatives, pryanthrones and their derivatives; quinacidones and their derivatives; quinophthalones and their derivatives; squaraines and their derivatives; squarilylums and their derivatives; leuco dyes and their derivatives, deuteratedleuco dyes and their derivatives; leuco-azine dyes; acridines; di-and tri-arylmethane, dyes; quinoneamines; o-nitro-substituted arylidene dyes, aryl nitrone dyes, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing organic dyes and pigments.

[0084] Examples of inorganic dyes and pigments include aluminum pigment (e.g., ultramarine violet (PV15) which is a silicate of sodium and aluminum containing sulfur; ultramarine (PB29) which is a complex naturally occurring pigment of sulfur-containing sodio- silicate (Na8-10A16Si6O ₂ 4S ₂ -4)), copper pigment (e.g., Han purple having BaCuSi ₂ 0 ₆ ; Egyptian blue; Han blue, which is BaCuSi ₄ 0io), cobalt pigments (e.g., cobalt violet (PV14) which is a cobalt phosphate; cobalt blue (PB28); and cerulean blue (PB35), which is a cobalt(II) stannate), manganese pigments (e.g., manganese violet (PV16), which is a manganese ammonium phosphate), iron pigments, cadmium pigments, chromium pigments, arsenic pigments, lead pigments, titanium pigments, antimony pigments, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing inorganic pigments.

[0085] Basic dyes, fat-soluble dyes, metal-complex dyes, organic pigments, inorganic pigments and metallic pigments can be used in the primerless paint composition. Basic dyes are cationic dyes that are highly soluble in polar solvents such as alcohols, glycols and water. They are used by the printing ink industry with laking agents such as tannic acid to produce clean, bright shades. Fat-soluble dyes include nonionic, metal-free azo and anthraquinone dyes, which are highly soluble in less polar solvents, such as aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Azo dyes are mainly used for aliphatic/aromatic solvent-based woodstains and in the coloration of styrene polymers. Anthraquinone dyes are used much more widely in the coloration of plastics and fibers on account of their much wider range of resistance properties. Metal- complex dyesare mainly anionic chromium and cobalt complexes of azo dyes. The cation is either a sodium ion or a substituted ammonium ion. Substituted soluble phthalocyanines also fall into this category. These dyes are normally soluble in alcohols, glycolethers, ketones and esters. Organic pigments are chemically synthesized; they contain carbon and come with relatively low levels of toxicity, not providing any major environmental concern. Organic pigments are generally categorized into six types: diazo pigments, monoazo pigments, acid and base dye pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, quinacridone pigments, or a combination thereof. [0086] Inorganic pigments are created through chemical manufacturing rather than by grinding and washing clays or minerals taken directly from the earth. Examples of inorganic pigments are Ti0 ₂ , carbon black, iron oxide, antimony oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, fumed silica, lead oxide, cobalt blue, chromium oxide, cadmium yellow, molybdate orange, and nickel titanate. In other pigments, such as fluorescent and phosphorescent dyes and pigments that can provide special effects are produced.

[0087] The organic dyes and pigments and the inorganic dyes and pigments may both be added to the primerless paint composition if desired. The primerless paint composition comprises the dye or the pigment in an amount of 1 to 10 wt%, specifically 2 to 9 wt%, and more specifically in an amount of 5 to 8 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0088] The primerless paint composition also comprises a liquid carrier. In an embodiment, the primerless paint composition may comprise an organic solvent. The organic solvent may be a liquid aprotic polar solvents such as propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butyrolactone, acetonitrile, benzonitrile, nitromethane, nitrobenzene, sulfolane, dimethylformamide, N- methylpyrrolidone, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing aprotic polar solvents. Polar protic solvents such as water, methanol, acetonitrile, nitromethane, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, butyl acetate or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing polar protic solvents may be used. Other non-polar solvents such a benzene, toluene, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, hexane, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents may also be used. Co-solvents comprising at least one aprotic polar solvent and at least one non-polar solvent may also be utilized to modify the viscosity and the adhesion characteristics of the paint.

[0089] The solvent may be used in amounts of 15 to 80 wt%, specifically 17 to 78 wt%, and more specifically 20 to 75 wt%, based on the total weight of the primerless paint composition.

[0090] In one method of manufacturing the primerless paint composition, the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm, the polyacrylic binder/and or the aromatic block copolymer, the dyes and/or pigments and the solvent may be blended to form the primerless paint composition prior to application as a coating on a substrate. The blending may be conducted in a mixing device that applies shear, extensional and/or elongational forces to the mixture to form the primerless paint composition.

[0091] The mixing may be conducted in an extruder (single screw or twin screw), a Henschel mixer, a Waring blender, a Buss Kneader, a Banbury, a roll mill (two or more rolls), high shear impeller disperser, dough mixer, or the like. The primerless paint composition may then be applied to a substrate by brush painting, spray painting, electrostatic spray painting, dip coating, using a doctor blade, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing methods of painting. The substrate with the primerless paint composition disposed thereon may be subjected to drying at a temperature of 15°C to 100°C, specifically 25°C to 80°C, and more specifically 50°C to 75°C for a time period of 30 seconds to 4 hours, specifically 5 minutes to 2 hours, and more specifically 10 minutes to 1 hour.

[0092] In one embodiment, the paint may be sold as a single component system. In other words, all of the ingredients listed above may be mixed to form the primerless paint composition and then sold to customers in a single can.

[0093] In another embodiment, the primerless paint composition may be sold as a two part or two component composition. In this event, the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm forms a first component that is transported and stored separately from the polyacrylic binder and/or the vinyl aromatic copolymer that forms the second component. The solvent and/or the pigment may be evenly distributed between the first component and the second component. Alternatively, the solvent may be divided between the first component and the second component, while the dye or pigment is a part of either the first component or the second component.

[0094] Preassembly and premix, product finishing and packaging are some of the steps used in manufacturing the primerless paint pigment. In one embodiment, in one method of manufacturing the primerless paint composition, liquid raw materials are assembled in the preassembly and premix step and then mixed in containers to form a viscous material to which pigments are added (e.g., resins, organic solvents, plasticizers, dry pigment, and pigment extenders). Pigment milling, which is a part of the product finishing step may also be conducted - this entails the incorporation of the pigment into the liquid base of the coating (e.g., resins, organic solvents and plasticizers) to yield a fine particle dispersion. The three stages of this process include wetting, grinding, and dispersion, which may overlap in any grinding operation. Final product specifications for color, viscosity, and other coating characteristics are achieved in the product finishing step. This process generally consists of thinning, tinting, and blending. Most of the solvents, tints, and shades are added during this operation. The product is then packaged.

[0095] The primerless paint composition may be advantageously used to paint polyolefm substrates, especially substrates that comprise thermoplastic polyolefms such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers, and the like. The primerless paint composition can be directly applied onto the flexible polyolefm elastomer substrates without any surface pretreatment, and achieve excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance and flexibility. The substrates can also include commercially available polyolefin polymers and blends of commercially available polyolefin polymers such as an ENGAGE™- polypropylene blend, AFFINITY™-polypropylene blend, INFUSE™/VERSIFY™ blend, ENGAGE™/VERSIFY™ blend and VERSIFY™.

[0096] The compositions detailed herein are further exemplified in the following non- limiting examples.

Example

[0097] This example was conducted to demonstrate the method of manufacturing the primerless paint composition and using the primerless paint composition on a polyolefin substrate. The substrates used are shown in the Table 1 below. Hardness is listed as Shore A

(A), Shore D (D), or Rockwell (R).

Table 1

"Measured at 190°C, 2.16 kg

"Measured at 230°C, 2.16 kg

[0098] The substrates were prepared by extruding the INFUSE 9500 and the PP9712 in a 65:35 weight ratio and pelletizing it as follows. Compounding was performed on a Coperion ZSK 18 co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder, having a barrel diameter D = 18 mm with a length to diameter ratio L/D= 48. The extruder has 8 temperature control zones (barrels) and is equipped with a two-hole 2 mm die, 2 m long cooling water bath and air knife. Compounding was performed with the temperature profile set at 100/150/180/180/200/200/200/180°C. The feeding rate was 10 kilograms per hour (kg/hr), screw revolutions per minute (RPM) was 800, and torque was approximately 40%.

[0099] The extruded samples were then molded into plaques. The plaque samples were molded using a Fanuc Roboshot S-2000 I 100BH, 100 ton injection molding machine equipped with a plaque mold. The barrel temperature profile was set at 50/170/200/200/200/200°C. The mold temperature was 30°C. The injection speed was 30 millimeter per second (mm/s). Molded plaques were held at 40 MPa for 20 seconds (s) and then cooled for an additional 16 seconds. [00100] The plaques were used as substrates on which was disposed the primerless paint coating. The surface of the substrates was cleaned using methyl ethyl ketone before painting, to avoid the negative effect of greasy or dirty areas of the substrate to the adhesion resistance.

[00101] The primerlesspaint coating was disposed on the substrate using spray painting with an air spray gun. A gravity feed air spray gun (ANEST IWATA, model: W-101-134G) was used to paint sample plaques. The spray gun has a 1.3 millimeter (mm) diameter nozzle, fluid output of 140 milliliter per minute (mL/min), spray pattern width of 205 mm, and uses an atomizing pressure of 28.0 pounds per square inch (psi) (1.96 kilogram-force per square centimeter (kgf/cm ² )). Spray painting was done inside a coating booth located in SDC IF heavy-lab. The coating weight was estimated to be 10 to 50 micrometer thickness after drying. Samples painted with Peter-Lacke acrylic paint were baked for 30 minutes at 80°C in Thermo Scientific Lindberg. The vacuum ovens are connected to an in-house vacuum source. All other paints were dried under room temperature for 30 minutes.

[00102] Commercial paint compositions were purchased and used for making the primerless paint compositions. The method of manufacturing the primerless paint compositions and the compositions will be discussed in detail below. The commercial paint compositions are shown in the Table 2 below.

Table 2

Sample description Commercially

available from

PVC Paint Thinner- T510: Mixture of cyclohexanone, methylal, xylene, and sec-butyl Hang Cheung acetate. Coatings Ltd

PVC Paint - 5300 Series: Base resin is a blend of acrylic acid polymers, vinyl chloride- vinyl acetate copolymer, and alkyd resin, dissolved in a solvent combination of xylene,

methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, diacetone alcohol, acetone, sec-butyl acetate, and n- propanol. Pigment is also added. The solids content is 40 wt%.

SBS Paint Thinner- T593: Mixture of cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone Hang Cheung

Coatings Ltd

5900 Series SBS Paint: Base resin is a blend of SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) polymer

based paint and carbon hydrogen resin, dissolved in a mixture of butyl acetate and

isoparaffin. Pigment is also added. The solids content is 50 wt%.

6100 Series Polyurethane (PU) Top Paint: PU based paint, modified silicon,

cyclohexanone, and pigment.

PEHAFIX Thinner No. 4 (Article number: VPCH02008): Mixture of acetone, 2- Peter-Lacke butoxyethanol, and heptane

PEHACRYL-PM 2C Metallic Varnish (Article number: VPCH07875): Reactive acrylic- type paint, possibly including carbon black as pigment, dissolved in toluene, n-butyl

acetate and butanol, 2-methoxy-l-methylethyl acetate, and naphtha. The solids content is

35 wt%.

PEHAPOL-L Hardener (Article number: P85057): Hexamethylene-l,6-diisocyanate

homopolymer dissolved in a mixture of n-butyl acetate, 2-methoxy-l-methylethyl acetate,

and hexamethylene-di-isocyanate.

Acrylic/CP P paint package Hamstar Ltd

This is a commercially available one-step painting system, designed for polypropylene.

The base resin is the blend of modified chlorinated (is this the correct word? Please let

me know.) polypropylene (CPP) and acrylic resins, dissolved in a solvent mixture of

xylene, trimethylbenzene, and cyclohexanone. This one-step painting system should have

good adhesion resistance to polyolefm elastomer based substrates due to the incorporation

of CPP resin. The solid content is 69 wt%. HARDLEN® F-2P (Primer) is a polyolefin resin grafted with chlorine (20%) and maleic Toyobo Co.

anhydride (1.6%), which has good adhesion power to polyolefin substrates without any

surface treatment. The molecular weight is 75,000, and melting temperature is 72°C.

[00103] The paint was applied to the substrates as detailed below.

[00104] A one-step painting process indicates applying the paint on the substrates directly, with no primer before applying paint. A two-step painting process indicates that the primer is applied before applying the paint, in order to improve the adhesion strength of the paint to the substrate. The primer used in two-step painting process is the solution of 5 wt% HARDLEN® F-2P in xylene. The HARDLEN® F-2P contains the carboxylated chlorinated polyolefin elastomer. The primer was dried at 23°C for 30 minutes before applying the paint. The proposed inventive primerless paint also using one-step painting process is the blend of HARDLEN® F-2P and paint. Two paints were used: SBS paint (Hang Cheung), and Acrylic paint (Peter Lacke). HARDLEN® F-2P was first dissolved in xylene to make a 20 wt% HARDLEN® F-2P solution, and then HARDLEN® F-2P solution was blended with the respective paint at a ratio of the solid component content of HARDLEN® F-2P and the paint. For each paint, three different solid component ratios between HARDLEN® F-2P and paint were evaluated, namely, 1 : 2, 1 : 1, and 2 : 1 (See Table 3 below). The different methods of painting the substrates are also shown in the Figure 1. Figure 1 contains a process map of the methods in which the various substrates were painted.

Table 3

[00105] The coated substrates were then subjected to testing to evaluate each of the samples. The tests are detailed below.

Abrasion Resistance Test (Eraser Test)

[00106] The eraser test was designed to determine the abrasion resistance of the surface coating. The test was done with the following procedure and is depicted in Figure 2. Hold the eraser (Blaisdell #536-T Eraser/Sanford Magi Rub 1960 Peel off Eraser) perpendicular to the surface coating test area and apply a downward force of 7 N (1.5 lbf). Stroke or erase along a suitable test path length (~3 cm) in one direction. Examine the damage of the coating (or record how many strokes, up to 10 strokes, are conducted to damage the surface). Figure 2 depicts the eraser test method schematic. The illustration on the left is painted plaque. The center illustration shows the rubber test and the illustration on the right shows the painted surface with the damage.

Adhesion Strength Test (Cross-Hatch Test)

[00107] Cross-hatch testing is a well-established test method to determine the adhesion strength of a coating to a substrate. The following test procedure was used, as depicted in Figure 3.

[00108] Use the cross-hatch scribe to make 9 straight parallel cuts, 2 mm apart, through the surface coating. Then make 11 similar cuts perpendicular to the first set of cuts. Apply tape (3M #810) to the scribed area and rub with fingers to provide adequate contact pressure. Grasp the loose end of the tape and pull smoothly and quickly at an angle of 135 degrees to the surface to remove the tape from the surface. Examine the surface for any evidence of paint removal. Figure 3 shows the cross-hatch testing schematic: (a) painted plaque; (b) scribed squares; (c) applying tape to surface; (d) removal of tape from surface; and (e) checking the percentage of squares with paint removed. According to ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359 Method B, the paint adhesion can be graded using the scales depicted in Figure 4. Figure 4 depicts the adhesion test result ranking criteria by ISO 2409/ASTM D3359 Method B. In this report, the ASTM D3359 ranking system was used.

Flexibility test

[00109] The painted substrate was blended to 360 degrees, and if no crack was observed, this was taken as an indication that the paint had good flexibility. If not, the paint had poor flexibility. This test is useful evaluating paint adhesion to polyolefm elastomer based flexible substrates.

[00110] The test results are detailed below. As noted above, injection molded plaques of INFUSE™ 9500/PP 9712 (65/35 wt/wt) blend were used as substrates in this study. Shore A of INFUSE™ 9500/PP 9712 (65/35 wt/wt) blend is 86. The performance and cost of comparative paint systems and inventive paint systems are given in Table 4 below. Table 4

[00111] The Table 4 can be summarized as follows. Four different commercialized paints were investigated - PVC paint, SBS paint, acrylic paint, acrylic/CPP paint, and spray painted on the substrate directly. The results showed that PVC paint, SBS paint and acrylic paint had poor adhesion to the substrate (See Figure 5.). This is probably due to the poor interlay er or intermolecular interactions between the paint and the substrate. Figure 5 shows photographs of comparative primerless paint system (PVC paint, SBS paint, acrylic paint).

[00112] PVC paint and SBS paint showed good abrasion resistance as well as flexibility, and acrylic paint also showed good abrasion resistance but poor flexibility when bending the substrate. Acrylic/CPP paint exhibited good adhesion performance as well as abrasion resistance to the substrate, probably due to the good compatibility between the substrate and CPP incorporated in acrylic/CPP paint, hence inter-diffusion and molecular entanglement occurred between substrate and paint. However, this paint was easy to break when bending since both acrylic and CPP resins are brittle (See Figure 6.). Figure 6 shows pictures of comparative acrylic/CPP primerless paint.

[00113] To improve the adhesion of the paint to the substrate, HARDLEN® F-2P was applied between substrate and paint as the primer. HARDLEN® F-2P is a polyolefm resin which should have good compatibility to polyolefm elastomer based substrate. Specifically HARDLEN® F-2P is carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm grafted with maleic anhydride and treated with chlorine, and these functional groups should be compatible to both polyolefm elastomer substrate and the paints.

[00114] HARDLEN™ F-2P was dissolved in xylene to make a 5 wt% HARDLEN® F- 2P solution, then spray painting HARDLEN® F-2P solution on to the substrate and followed by spray painting PVC paint, SBS paint and acrylic paint, respectively. Significant improvement of the adhesion of SBS paint and acrylic paint to the substrate, with the assistance of HARDLEN® F-2P, was observed, while PVC paint did not, probably due to poor adhesion between HARDLEN® F-2P and PVC paint. All three paints showed good abrasion resistance and flexibility, except acrylic paint, which is still very brittle when bending (See Figure 7.). The labor cost would be high since two steps of painting process were required.

[00115] The samples and the results shown in the Table 3 may be summarized as follows. Two commercialized paints were used: SBS paint (Hangcheung), and Acrylic paint (Peter-Lacke). For each paint, three different solid component ratios between HARDLEN® F- 2P and paint were evaluated - 1 : 2, 1 : 1, 2 : 1. The results showed that inventive SBS primerless paint and inventive acrylic primerless paint at different HARDLEN® F-2P contents exhibited:

(a) Excellent adhesion resistance (all rank at 5B according to ASTM D3359): none of the squares of the lattice detached (See Figure 8.) (b) Excellent abrasion resistance: up to 10 strokes are required to damage the surface, (c) Excellent flexibility: no crack observed when bending the plaques and (d) Low labor cost since only one step of painting process is needed.

Example 2

[00116] This example was conducted to demonstrate the use of carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm and a styrene-butadiene-styrene binder in a single primerless paint composition. The substrates chosen for testing the primerless paint composition are ENGAGE™- polypropylene blend, AFFINITY™-polypropylene blend, INFUSE™/VERSIFY™ blend, ENGAGE™/VERSIFY™ blend and VERSIFY™. Table 5 details some of the aforementioned materials and their properties.

Table 5

[00117] Additional substrate details are provided in the Table 6 below. Table 6

[00118] The painting process involved cleaning the substrate, disposing the primerless paint composition on the substrate and then drying the paint.

[00119] In a first set of tests, a primerless paint composition comprising carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm and a styrene butadiene-styrene binder are disposed on some of the substrates. The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm was Hardlen®F-2P, which was first dissolved in xylene to make a 20 wt% HARDLEN® F-2P solution, and then HARDLEN® F- 2P solution was blended with the SBS paint at a weight ratio of the solid component content of HARDLEN® F-2P:SBS paintwith 1 :2. Then, the HARDLEN® F-2P and SBS paint mixture was diluted using thinner T593 to a suitable viscosity.The paint composition (without the Hardlen®F-2P) is detailed in the Table 7 and the substrates along with test results are shown in Table 8 below.

Table 7

Elastomer type Elastomer PP 9712 VERSIFY™ Adhesion Abrasion Flexibility wt% wt% 3401

wt%

INFUSE™ 9500 70 30 5B Good Good

ENGAGE™ 8200 70 30 5B Good Good

AFFINITY™ 1450G1 70 30 5B Good Good

INFUSE™ 9500 70 30 5B Good Good

ENGAGE™ 8200 70 30 5B Good Good

VERSIFY™ 3401 100 5B Good Good [00120] The results show that good adhesion, good abrasion and flexibility was obtained. The testing was conducted according to the details provided in Example 1.

Example 3

[00121] In this example, a primerless paint composition comprising carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm (HARDLEN® F-2P)and a polyvinylchloride-vinyl acetate binder was used to paint a polyolefm elastomer substrate. The other elements of the paint composition are shown in the Table 9 below.

Table 9

[00122] The primerless paint composition comprising carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer binder are disposed on some of the substrates mentioned above. The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm isHardlen® F-2P, which was first dissolved in xylene to make a 20 wt% HARDLEN® F-2P solution, and then HARDLEN® F-2P solution was blended with the PVC paint at a weight ratio of the solid component content of HARDLEN® F-2P:PVC paintwith 1 :2. Then, the HARDLEN® F-2P and PVC paint mixture was diluted using thinner T510 to a suitable viscosity. The paint composition (without the Hardlen®F-2P) is detailed in the Table 9 (above) and the substrates along with test results are shown in Table 10 below.

Table 10

[00123] The results show that good adhesion, good abrasion and flexibi ity was obtained. The testing was conducted according to the details provided in Example 1. Example 4

[00124] In this example, a primerless paint composition comprising carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm (HARDLEN® F-2P) and a polyvinylchloride -vinyl acetate binder was used to paint a polyolefm elastomer substrate. The other elements of the paint composition are shown in the Table 11 below.

Table 11

[00125] The primerless paint composition comprising carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer binder are disposed on some of the substrates mentioned above. The carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm isHardlen® F-2P, which was first dissolved in xylene to make a 20 wt% HARDLEN® F-2P solution, and then HARDLEN® F-2P solution was blended with the PVC paint at a weight ratio of the solid component content of HARDLEN® F-2P:PVC paintwith 1 :2. Then, the HARDLEN® F-2P and PVC paint mixture was diluted using thinner T305 to a suitable viscosity.The paint composition (without the Hardlen®F-2P) is detailed in the Table 11 (above) and the substrates along with test results are shown in Table 12 below.

Table 12

[00126] T e resu ts s ow t at goo a es on, goo a ras on an ex ty was o tained. The testing was conducted according to the details provided in Example 1.

[00127] The test results show that a primerless paint composition can achieve excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance and flexibility on flexible polyolefm elastomer substrates without any surface pretreatment. There is no need for using a paint primer, which reduces costs. The inventive primerless paint system comprises a blend of a carboxylated chlorinated polyolefm (CPO) and a commercially available paint (polyvinylchloride based paint, or styrenic block copolymer (SBC) based paint or acrylic based paint) at different weight ratios. The soft chlorinated polyolefm is compatible with polyolefm elastomer substrates and polar paint as a result of which good adhesion can be achieved. The soft chlorinated polyolefm affords the paint good flexibility, particularly for acrylic based paints as a result of which good flexibility is achieved. The inventive primerless paint also has good abrasion resistance when coated on a flexible polyolefm elastomer substrate.