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Abstract

A curable film-forming composition is provided that on curing produces a coating, comprising in a medium (i) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a crosslinking agent; (ii) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a polymer containing a plurality of functional groups reactive with the crosslinking agent; and (iii) 20 to 85 percent by volume based on the total volume of the film-forming composition of particles having a mean particle size less than 100 nm. The particles further have an index of refraction sufficiently similar to that of the polymer of (ii) to minimize haze, and have an affinity for the medium sufficient to keep the particles suspended therein. The affinity of the particles for the medium is greater than the affinity of the particles for each other, thereby preventing agglomeration of the particles within the medium. The film-forming compositions exhibit improved scratch (mar) resistance compared to compositions of the prior art, as well as improved sag resistance when compared to similar coating compositions prepared without the particles. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided. The coating composition comprises a pigmented film-forming composition serving as a base coat and a clear film-forming composition serving as a transparent topcoat over the base coat. The transparent topcoat, or clear coat, is derived from the curable film-forming composition described above.

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First Claim