Method for producing a coated object including a coating layer having tunable properties - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a coated object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which are coated with a coating layer having adjustable properties. The coating layer is produced by applying a coating composition to the target area(s) and matching the properties of the resulting coating layer to a set of properties for each of the target area(s). That is, the coating layer is produced such that the same coating layer is not present on target areas having different sets of properties. The method of the present invention allows the properties of the coating layer, such as flexibility, hardness, scratch resistance, light fastness, to be matched to a set of properties required for each of the target area(s). This results in a coated object with higher overall mechanical and / or chemical properties, because the properties of the coating layer can be matched to a set of properties required for each of the target area(s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method of the present invention for preparing a coated object comprising target areas in which a coating layer having different properties is required. Finally, the present invention relates to a system for utilizing an application device to apply at least two coating compositions resulting in a coating layer having tunable properties to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have a different set of properties.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a coated object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which are coated with a coating layer having adjustable properties. The coating layer is produced by applying a coating composition to the target area(s) and matching the properties of the resulting coating layer to a set of properties for each of the target area(s). That is, the coating layer is produced such that the same coating layer is not present on target areas having different sets of properties. The method of the present invention allows the properties of the coating layer, such as flexibility, hardness, scratch resistance, light fastness, to be matched to a set of properties required for each of the target area(s). This results in a coated object with higher overall mechanical and / or chemical properties, because the properties of the coating layer can be matched to a set of properties required for each of the target area(s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method of the present invention for preparing a coated object comprising target areas in which a coating layer having different properties is required. Finally, the present invention relates to a system for utilizing an application device to apply at least two coating compositions resulting in a coating layer having tunable properties to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have a different set of properties. [Background technology]

[0002] In the painting of luxury products, e.g. automobiles, the paints are usually applied in multiple layers. In this kind of multi-layer coating system for automobile chassis, a primer is applied first. The primer is intended to improve the adhesion between the substrate and the subsequent layers and also serves to protect the substrate from corrosion if it is prone to corrosion. In addition, the primer ensures improved surface properties by covering any roughness and structure present in the substrate. Especially in the case of metal substrates, a primer surfacer is often applied to the primer, whose role is to further improve the surface properties and to improve the stone chipping resistance. Typically, one or more color and / or effect layers are applied to the primer surfacer, which are called base coats. Finally, a clear coat is generally applied to the base coat, which ensures the desired glossy appearance and protects the coating system from environmental influences. The combination of base coat and clear coat is also called a composite color-plus-clear coating.

[0003] Color-plus-clear systems are often chosen when an exterior coating must have optimal visual appearance and excellent durability and weatherability. As a result, color-plus-clear composite coatings are used extensively in the automotive industry, especially on automotive body panels. The clearcoat used in color-plus-clear systems is typically applied at a film thickness significantly higher than the film thickness at which the pigmented basecoat is applied. Such higher clearcoat film thickness is an aspect of the system that contributes to the desired appearance and / or durability of the overall color-plus-clear system. For example, automotive original equipment manufacturing (OEM) facilities typically apply clearcoat compositions at a wet film thickness of 20.3-152.4 μm (0.8-6.0 mils) to provide a cured clearcoat film thickness of 12.7-88.9 μm (0.5-3.5 mils). In contrast, pigmented basecoat compositions are typically applied at a wet film thickness of 5.1 to 101.6 μm (0.2 to 4.0 mils) to provide a cured basecoat film thickness of 2.5 to 50.8 μm (0.1 to 2.0 mils).

[0004] The minimum performance requirements for clearcoat coating compositions intended for use on automotive body panels include high levels of adhesion, scratch and mar resistance, chip resistance, humidity resistance, and weatherability as measured by QUV. Clearcoat compositions must also be capable of providing a visual appearance characterized by a high degree of gloss, distinctness of image (DOI), and smoothness. Finally, such coatings must also be easy to apply in a production environment and resistant to application defects.

[0005] However, clear coat layers with higher stone chipping resistance have traditionally exhibited reduced chemical resistance due to their higher flexibility required for higher stone chipping resistance. Similar conflicting requirements also arise with respect to scratch resistance or light fastness, because clear coat layers with higher scratch resistance and / or light fastness are usually more expensive to manufacture than clear coat layers with lower scratch resistance and / or light fastness. Therefore, from the viewpoint of efficiency, it is desirable to manufacture only clear coat layers with high scratch resistance and / or high light fastness on the target areas where the high scratch resistance and / or light fastness is required, while covering further target areas with cheaper clear coat layers with lower scratch resistance and / or light fastness.

[0006] Obviously, high stone chipping resistance and high chemical resistance are contradictory requirements. The same is true for achieving good scratch resistance and / or good light fastness without significantly increasing the overall cost of the coating. One approach to obtain sufficient overall properties is to carefully control the properties of the coating layer resulting from applying the coating material to the object to ensure that the coating layer exhibits a suitable balance between stone chipping resistance and chemical resistance, or between scratch resistance and / or light fastness and the overall cost of coating the object. This approach is currently used in the automobile manufacturing industry (hereinafter also referred to as OEM), where only one clear coat quality has a good balance between stone chipping resistance and chemical resistance, or between scratch resistance and / or light fastness and the overall cost of the coating. Although the use of said clear coat quality provides sufficient mechanical and chemical properties, it is not possible to improve stone chipping resistance without decreasing chemical resistance, or vice versa. The same is true for improving scratch resistance and / or light fastness without increasing the overall cost of the coating, or vice versa.

[0007] It would be advantageous to apply different coating materials resulting in a coating layer with properties customized to the properties of the area of ​​the object to be coated. The properties of the coating layers can then be optimized independently of each other and a higher quality can be achieved in terms of mechanical and / or chemical properties of the resulting coated object. Coating layers with customizable properties should be easily produced from a limited number of coating compositions, and the coating compositions should be suitable for use in combination with conventional application equipment. Furthermore, the tailored properties of the coating layer allow the associated coating composition to be used more efficiently in terms of material consumption, since its properties are tailored to the properties of the respective target area(s), which makes it unnecessary to produce a non-tailored coating layer at a higher film thickness to achieve the same result. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method that allows the properties of a coating layer to be matched to a set of properties, such as stone chipping resistance, chemical resistance, scratch resistance, light resistance, of each target area of ​​the object on which the coating layer is present, thereby improving the overall mechanical and chemical properties of the coated object. The production of a coating layer with properties tailored to the properties of each target area of ​​the object results in less consumption of the coating composition used for its production, thus making the process more efficient and reducing the generation of volatile organics during the curing of the applied coating material. Finally, the method can be carried out using commonly used application equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter claimed in the patent claims and also by preferred embodiments of said subject matter, as described below.

[0010] A first subject of the invention is therefore a method for preparing an object comprising a plurality of target areas and coated with at least two coating layers having adjustable properties, at least some of which have a different set of properties, said method comprising the following steps: (a) identifying at least two target regions and identifying a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, wherein the at least two target regions have different sets of characteristics; (b) at least two different coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n providing each coating composition (C1, ..., C n ) are then coated with coating layers (CL1, ..., CL2) having properties matching the set of distinct properties identified in step (a). n ), and (c) each of the coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) to the target area(s) associated with the matching set of characteristics. Includes.

[0011] The above specified method is hereinafter also referred to as the inventive method and is therefore the subject of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the inventive method are evident from the following description and from the dependent claims.

[0012] The method of the present invention allows the properties of the coating layer to be matched to the properties of each of the target areas or regions of the object. For example, a coating layer with high flexibility is produced in the target area of ​​the object where high stone chipping resistance is required, such as the front of an automobile, while a coating layer with low flexibility but high chemical resistance is produced in the target area where low stone chipping resistance but high chemical resistance is required, such as the roof of an automobile. In another example, a coating layer with high scratch resistance or high light resistance is produced only in the target area where high scratch resistance is required, such as the side of an automobile, or in the target area where high light resistance is required, such as the roof of an automobile. This allows the overall cost associated with the method of the present invention to be reduced, since it is avoided to produce a coating layer with optimized properties and with higher costs in the target area where the optimized properties are not required. The production of a coating layer with properties that match the set of properties of the target area or areas allows the overall film thickness to be reduced compared to a coating layer with balanced properties. This allows the emissions generated during drying of the coating composition to be reduced, and leads to a more efficient coating process. Furthermore, matching the properties of a coating layer to a different set of properties of a target area of ​​an object results in higher quality in terms of mechanical and / or chemical properties of the resulting coated object.

[0013] A further subject of the invention is the use of the method according to the invention for preparing coated objects comprising target areas in which coating layers with different properties are required.

[0014] A further subject of the invention is a system for applying, by means of an application device, at least two coating compositions resulting in a coating layer having adjustable properties to a given object, the given object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having a different set of properties, the system comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the application device and comprising at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B, i , or A i and each mixture of B and B comprises a coating layer CL having properties matching a set of properties of a target region(s). i or coating layer (CL i ) i=1、…、n At least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n Each coating layer CL i at least two reservoirs having properties matching a set of properties of the target region(s); Including, The application device is ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally a hardener component B from a reservoir, i ) i=1、…、n optionally with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n and discharging the coating liquid through a nozzle onto a target area or areas having a matching set of characteristics based on a coating command to form at least two coating layers. or The applicator is ○ at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from the reservoir; and Coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、nand discharging the coating liquid through a nozzle onto at least two target areas having a set of matching characteristics based on a coating command to form at least two coating layers. It is configured as follows.

[0015] A further subject of the invention is a system for applying, utilizing an application device, at least two clearcoat coating compositions resulting in a clearcoat coating layer having adjustable properties to a given object, the given object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different sets of properties, each applied coating composition resulting in a clearcoat coating layer having properties matching the sets of properties of the at least two target areas, the system comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and associated mix ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the application device and comprising at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and at least three reservoirs configured to contain at least one hardener component B. Including, The application device is ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and a hardener component B from a reservoir, and one or more components (A i ) i=1、…、n is mixed with the hardener component B in a nozzle based on the mix ratio instruction to form a clear coat coating composition (C1, ..., C n ), and The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Each of the clear coat compositions C i 2. Apply each clearcoat composition C through a nozzle based on the application instructions associated with the mixing instructions used to prepare ito form at least two clearcoat coating layers onto a target area or areas having a set of properties matching the properties of each clearcoat layer produced from It is configured as follows.

[0016] A further subject of the invention is a system for coating an object with at least two clearcoat coating layers, the clearcoat coating layers having properties matching the sets of properties of the target areas, the system comprising: a) collecting control data for controlling an application device by the following steps: acquiring data related to the object to be coated and determining target area position data for at least a portion of a plurality of target areas and target area characteristic data for each of said target areas based on the acquired data related to the object; obtaining data relating to ingredients used in preparing the clearcoat coating composition to be applied and determining mix ratio data based on the determined target area characteristic data; generating control data including the determined target area position data and the associated mixing ratio data, and providing the generated control data to one or more data processors configured to control the application device; a computing unit configured to determine b) one or more data processors configured to execute the provided control data to control the application device; c) an application device comprising a nozzle and a nozzle in fluid communication with the application device and having at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and at least three reservoirs configured to contain at least one hardener component B. The application device includes: - receiving one or more components and at least one hardener component B from a reservoir and mixing the received component(s) and hardener component(s) B in the nozzle based on the mixing ratio data to produce a clear coat coating composition (C1, ..., C n ), and Each prepared clear coat coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n through a nozzle, i to a target area(s) associated with the target area position data for the mix ratio data used to prepare the clear coat coating layer having properties matching the properties of the target area(s). It is configured as follows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 to be coated with a coating material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Definition: First, a number of terms used in the context of the present invention will be explained.

[0019] As used herein, the grammatical articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include "at least one" or "one or more," unless otherwise indicated, even if "at least one" or "one or more" is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, these articles are used herein to refer to one or more (i.e., "at least one") of the object of the grammatical article. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, "a component" means one or more components, and thus potentially more than one component is contemplated and utilized or used in the practice of the described embodiments. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by the context of usage, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular.

[0020] For convenience, in this specification of the present invention, "polymer" and "resin" are used interchangeably to encompass resins, oligomers, and polymers.

[0021] The term "poly(meth)acrylate" refers to both polyacrylates and polymethacrylates. Poly(meth)acrylates may therefore be composed of acrylates and / or methacrylates and may contain further ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as styrene or acrylic acid. The term "(meth)acryloyl" in the sense of the present invention encompasses methacryloyl compounds, acryloyl compounds and mixtures thereof, respectively.

[0022] The term "multiple target areas" refers to the presence of at least two target areas on the object to be coated. A target area is a defined area, i.e. an area on the object with defined dimensions. The term "multiple target areas, at least some of which have different sets of properties" means, in the sense of the present invention, that at least two target areas of the multiple target areas have different sets of properties. Thus, either every target area present on the object has a different set of properties (i.e. the properties of each target area are different from the properties of each further target area), or some target areas have the same set of properties while the other target area(s) have a different set of properties. The term "set of properties" refers to either a single property or multiple properties associated with said target area. The properties can be selected from the orientation of the target area relative to the other target areas, the position of the target area on the object, or a combination thereof. The term "different sets of properties" means, in the sense of the present invention, that at least one property of the multiple properties associated with each target area is different from the properties contained in the set of properties associated with another target area. Thus, the term "different sets of properties" does not necessarily mean that every property contained in a set of properties is different from the properties contained in another set of properties.

[0023] The term "object coated with at least two coating layers with adjustable properties" refers to an object coated with at least two coating layers, and the properties of the coating layers are adjusted to match the set of properties of the target area where each coating layer is present. This can be achieved, for example, by using a defined coating material, which after application on each target area(s) results in a coating layer with properties that match the set of properties of the target area(s) for which the coating layer was produced. For example, a coating material containing plasticizer to produce a flexible coating layer is produced in a target area, for example a vertically oriented target area where a coating layer with high flexibility is required, while a coating material containing no plasticizer or a lower amount of plasticizer is applied to a target area, for example a horizontally oriented target area where a coating layer with high hardness and high chemical resistance is required. In another example, a coating material containing a large amount of UV filters and / or UV stabilizers to provide a coating layer with high UV stability is produced on a target area, such as a horizontally oriented target area where a coating layer with high UV stability is desired, while a coating material containing a lower amount of UV filters and / or UV stabilizers and having a lower cost is applied to the remaining target areas, such as vertically oriented target areas. In yet another example, a coating material that provides a coating layer with high hardness and UV resistance is applied to a target area, such as a target area on the exterior of a vehicle where a coating layer with high scratch resistance and UV resistance is desired, while a coating material that is less expensive and provides a coating layer with lower scratch resistance and UV resistance is applied to a target area on the interior of a vehicle.

[0024] The term “(C i ) i=1、…、n " refers to a sequence of coating compositions C, e.g., C1, C2, C3, ..., C nwhere n is the last member of the sequence. The same applies to the term "(CL i ) i=1、…、n " also applies.

[0025] The term "each coating layer having properties corresponding to a different set of properties" in the sense of the present invention means that the properties of each coating layer correspond to exactly one set of properties of the target area(s). For example, if an object is to be coated using two coating layers and the object includes a target area having two different sets of properties, the properties of the first coating layer correspond to the first set of properties and the properties of the second coating layer correspond to the second set of properties, or vice versa.

[0026] The term "applying each coating composition to the target area(s) associated with a matching set of properties" refers to an application process in which each coating composition is applied to a target area having a set of properties that match the properties of the coating layer(s) produced from each coating composition. Thus, for example, if coating composition C1 results in coating layer CL1 having properties SP1 that match the set of properties SP1 of target areas A1, A3, and A5, said coating composition C1 is applied in one step or multiple steps to produce coating layer CL1 on said target areas A1, A3, and A5. However, application of a coating composition to a defined target area or more than one defined target area does not preclude some parts of adjacent target areas having different sets of properties being unintentionally coated with said coating composition due to the effect of overspray occurring. However, the same coating composition is not intentionally applied to target areas having different sets of properties.

[0027] A "hardener component" in the context of the present invention is a material comprising at least one cross-linking component capable of reacting with functional chemical groups present with at least one compound contained in at least one component provided in step (a) of the method of the present invention, such as at least one binder. The reaction of the cross-linking component with the binder present in the at least one component provided in step (a) results in the formation of a network structure upon curing of the applied coating composition.

[0028] "Binder" is, in the context of the present invention and in accordance with DIN EN ISO4618:2007-03, a non-volatile component of the coating composition, not including pigments and fillers. In the following, however, this expression is mainly used in connection with certain physically and / or chemically curable polymers, such as polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers, polyureas, polyacrylates, polysiloxanes and / or copolymers of the mentioned polymers. The non-volatile fraction is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO3251:2018-07 at 130°C for 60 minutes using a starting mass of 1.0 g.

[0029] The term "water-based coating composition" as used herein refers to a coating composition comprising a water fraction of at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 25% by weight, very preferably at least 50% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. The water fraction is preferably 40-60% by weight, more particularly 45-70% by weight, very preferably 50-80% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. In contrast, the term "solvent-based coating composition" refers to a coating composition comprising a fraction of organic solvent of at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 25% by weight, very preferably at least 45% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. The fraction of organic solvent is preferably 40-70% by weight, more particularly 45-65% by weight, very preferably 50-60% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition.

[0030] The term "drying" of an applied coating composition as used herein refers to the evaporation of solvent from the applied coating composition. Drying can be performed at ambient temperature or by using elevated temperatures. However, drying does not result in a ready-to-use coating film, i.e., a cured coating film, as described below, since the coating film after drying is still soft or tacky. Thus, "curing" of an applied coating composition or a coating film obtained from drying an applied coating composition refers to converting such a composition or film into a ready-to-use state, i.e., into a state in which the object to which the respective coating layer is applied can be transported, stored, and used as intended. More specifically, a cured coating layer is one that is no longer soft or tacky, but is prepared as a solid coating layer whose properties, such as hardness or adhesion to the object, do not further undergo significant changes upon further exposure to curing conditions. Curing can be performed at higher temperatures and / or for longer times than those used for drying the applied coating composition.

[0031] The measurement methods used in the context of the present invention to determine certain characteristic variables can be found in the Examples section. Unless otherwise specified, these measurement methods are used to determine the respective characteristic variables. In the context of the present invention, when reference is made to an official standard without any indication of the valid official period, the reference is implicitly to the version of the standard valid at the filing date, or to the latest version if there is no valid version at that time.

[0032] Any film thickness reported in the context of the present invention should be understood as a dry film thickness. It is therefore in each case the thickness of the cured film. Thus, when a coating material is reported to be applied at a specific film thickness, this means that the coating material is applied to the stated film thickness after curing.

[0033] Any temperature stated in the context of the present invention should be understood as the temperature of the space in which the object or coated object is located, therefore, this does not mean that the object itself is required to have that temperature.

[0034] The method of the present invention: The method of the present invention allows the preparation of coated objects comprising at least two coating layers with adjustable properties by matching the properties of the coating layers to a set of different properties of the target area of ​​the object, and allows the coating layers with defined properties, such as high stone chipping resistance, high chemical resistance, high scratch resistance and / or high light resistance, to be present on the target area of ​​the object where the defined properties are required. For example, a coating layer that provides high stone chipping resistance, i.e. a flexible coating layer with low chemical resistance, is present on the target area where high stone chipping resistance is required (e.g. the front or side of an automobile), while a coating layer with high chemical resistance, i.e. a coating layer with high hardness and therefore low flexibility, is present on the target area where high chemical resistance is required (e.g. the roof of an automobile). Matching the properties of the coating layers to the set of properties of the target area improves the mechanical and / or chemical properties of the resulting coated object, while reducing the material consumption during the manufacture of each coating layer.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the adjustable properties of the coating layer include the hardness, scratch resistance, lightfastness, appearance and / or adhesion of the coating layer. The hardness of the coating layer can be adjusted, for example, by using commonly known plasticizers or by using binders, such as flexible polyester resins, that provide a cured coating layer with greater flexibility. The scratch resistance can be improved by using silanized binders that provide additional crosslinks between the curing agent to improve the crosslink density and thus the overall hardness, or by using any of the nano-sized inorganic, organic, or inorganic / organic hybrid materials known in the art. The lightfastness of the coating layer can be improved, for example, by adding a higher amount or a specific type of UV stabilizer or UV filter to the coating material used in the preparation of each coating layer. The term "appearance" refers to the appearance of the clear coat layer and includes gloss, haze, distinctness of image (DOI), orange peel, mottle, transparency, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Process (a): Step (a) of the method of the present invention includes identifying at least two target regions and identifying a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, where at least two of the identified target regions have different sets of characteristics. In one example, the object includes at least two target regions, where each target region has a different set of characteristics. In another example, the object includes multiple target regions, where some of the multiple target regions have the same set of characteristics while some of the remaining multiple target regions have a different set of characteristics or multiple different sets of characteristics.

[0037] Identifying the target region and the set of associated characteristics may be done in a number of ways, some of which are non-limiting examples of which are given below. According to one embodiment of step (a), step (a) includes a computing device with a display and one or more user input devices adapted to detect user input: (a-1) displaying a user interface including an object on a display; (a-2) detecting a user input indicating identifying at least two target regions on the object and a set of characteristics associated with each target region; (a-3) determining a set of target regions and respective characteristics associated with each identified target region based on the detected user input; and (a-4) providing the data determined in step (a-3) to a coating device and / or displaying the data determined in step (a-3) in a user interface.

[0038] The computing device includes a processor and a memory, apart from a display and at least one user input device. The term "memory" refers to physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media includes physical storage media for storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media includes computer hardware such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state drive ("SSD"), flash memory, phase-change memory ("PCM"), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or other hardware storage device(s) that can be used to store (preserve) program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to perform the disclosed functions of the present invention. The computer-executable instructions enable the computing device to detect user input, determine a set of target areas and respective characteristics associated with each identified target area based on the detected user input, and provide the determined data to the application device or display.

[0039] The term "processor" refers to any logic circuitry configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, a processing means, or computer processor, may be configured to process basic instructions that run a computer or system. By way of example, a processing means, or computer processor, may include at least one arithmetic logic unit ("ALU"), at least one floating point unit ("FPU"), e.g. a mathematical or numeric coprocessor, a number of registers, in particular registers configured to supply operands to the ALU and to store results of operations, and memory, such as L1 and L2 cache memories. In particular, a processing means, or computer processor, may be or include a central processing unit ("CPU"). The processing means or computer processor may be a graphics processing unit ("GPU"), a tensor processing unit ("TPU"), a complex instruction set computing ("CISC") microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a very long instruction word ("VLIW") microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets, or a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing means may also be one or more special purpose processing devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), a complex programmable logic device ("CPLD"), a digital signal processor ("DSP"), a network processor, or the like. The methods, systems, and devices described herein may be implemented as software in a DSP, in a microcontroller, or any other side processor, or as hardware circuitry in an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA.It should be understood that the term processing means or processor may also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed system of processing devices located across multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and is not limited to a single device unless otherwise specified. The terms "processor" and "computer processor" are used interchangeably herein. A processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a memory.

[0040] The display may be any display device commonly known in the art, such as a mobile or portable display device. The display device may include a user input device, such as a touch screen, in which case the display detects user input and provides the detected user input to the computing device.

[0041] In step (a-1), a user interface including an object is displayed on the display. The object may be any virtual 2D or 3D object, such as a car or a part thereof. Preferably, the virtual object resembles a real object to be coated, so as to enhance the user's comfort during identifying the target area and the set of associated properties. The user interface may further include a toolbar(s) that allows the user to mark the identified target area and assign a label to the identified target area that indicates the set of associated properties.

[0042] In step (a-2), the computing device detects a user input indicating that at least two target regions on the object and a set of properties associated with each target region are identified. The user input may be detected by the processor(s) of the computing device or the processor(s) of the display. In the latter case, the detected input is provided to the computing device via a communication interface. The user input is performed using an input device, such as a touch screen, a mouse, a keyboard, a trackpad, or a combination thereof. The user input may include drawing a border around each target region or marking a point on the border of each target region. The user input further includes a set of properties associated with each identified target region. This is achieved, for example, by adding a label associated with each set of properties to each target region, or by entering the set of properties into a field associated with each target region.

[0043] In step (a-3), the processor(s) of the computing device determine the target areas and a respective set of characteristics associated with each identified target area based on the detected user input. The target areas are determined by determining the boundaries of each target area based on the user input and assigning a number to each target area. The set of characteristics associated with each target area may be determined by determining a label type or by determining data entered by the user in the previous step. The identified target areas are preferably correlated with the associated set of characteristics, e.g. by storing a unique number representing each target area in a data storage medium, e.g. an internal memory of the computing device, together with data relating to the set of characteristics.

[0044] In step (a-4), the data determined in step (a-3) is provided to the application device and / or displayed in a user interface. In the first case, the computing device is connected to the application device via a communication interface, and the application device uses said data to automatically apply a coating composition to each of the target areas as described below. By displaying each determined target area and associated set of properties in the user interface, a user can verify whether the target area is correctly marked and whether the correct set of properties has been assigned. The user can modify the displayed data, and the processor can detect the modification and determine the target area and associated set of properties based on the modified user input. The processor may be configured to automatically update the user interface after determining the new target area and / or the new set of properties based on the detected modification. The determined data is stored in a data storage medium after correlating said data with a unique ID to facilitate retrieval if said data is to be used again.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment of step (a), step (a) includes providing a user interface containing an object, the object including instructions for at least two marked target areas and a set of properties associated with the marked target areas. The user interface can be generated using data of a virtual 2D or 3D object, data of target areas present on the object, and a set of properties assigned to the target areas. In one example, the user interface is generated by loading previously stored data regarding the virtual object, the assigned target areas, and the associated properties, and displaying the data in the user interface. The data can be generated using steps (a-1) to (a-3) described above.

[0046] In yet another alternative embodiment, step (a) includes visually determining at least two target regions and a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, where the at least two target regions have different sets of characteristics. "Visually determining the target regions" refers to methods of determining the regions without the use of a computing device, for example, by drawing the target regions on an object printed on paper or by marking the target regions on an actual existing object.

[0047] Process (b): In step (b) of the method of the present invention, at least two different coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ), after being applied onto the object, produces coating layers (CL1, ..., CL2) having properties matching the set of distinct properties identified in step (a). n Thus, each coating composition (C1, ..., C2) provided in step (b) n ) results in a coating layer having properties consistent with the set of properties identified in step (a). Further, each coating composition (C1, ..., C n ) is preferably not applied onto a target area having a set of properties that do not match the properties of the coating layer resulting from each applied coating composition. Thus, each coating composition (C1, ..., C n ) is preferably applied only on target areas having the same set of properties, said set of properties matching the properties of the respective resulting coating layer. This allows obtaining coating layers having properties matching the properties of the respective target areas, thereby enhancing the overall mechanical and / or chemical properties of the coated object. Furthermore, material consumption is reduced, since optimized coating layers can be produced at reduced film thicknesses than coating layers with non-optimized properties.

[0048] The coating composition provided in step (a) (C i ) i=1、…、n: The coating composition provided in step (b) (C i ) i=1、…、n may be a liquid solvent-based or water-based coating composition. Preferably, the coating composition C1 provided in step (a) and each further coating composition C provided by repeating step (a) at least once x is a liquid solvent-based coating composition. In particular, the coating composition C1 provided in step (b) is a liquid solvent-based coating composition.

[0049] The coating composition provided in step (b) (C i ) i=1、…、n may be transparent, translucent or opaque. An opaque coating composition is a pigmented coating composition that, when applied to an object, has a light transmittance of less than 4 percent measured at a film thickness of 15 to 18 micrometers using CIE standard illuminant D65 according to ASTM D1003-00 (Procedure A). Suitable opaque coating compositions include basecoat compositions that include a high enough concentration of color pigment and / or effect pigment(s) to achieve the aforementioned light transmittance. In contrast, a translucent coating composition has a light transmittance of at least 4 percent when applied to an object. Thus, a translucent coating composition is neither completely transparent nor opaque. In contrast to a transparent coating composition, a translucent coating composition contains color pigments and / or effect pigments and / or matting agents and is not completely transparent. A translucent coating composition may be a pigmented translucent coating composition, such as a tinted clearcoat composition. A transparent coating composition preferably includes a clearcoat composition.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one coating composition C is provided. i However, the coating layer CL has high stone chip resistance. i and at least one further provided coating composition C n-i However, the coating layer CL has high chemical resistance.n-i and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C i However, the coating layer CL has high scratch resistance. i and at least one further provided coating composition C n-i but the coating layer CL has a lower scratch resistance n-i and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C i However, the coating layer CL has high light resistance. i and at least one further provided coating composition C n-i However, the coating layer CL has a lower light resistance. n-i This allows the properties of the resulting coating layer to be matched to the location of the targeted area on the substrate, thereby enhancing the overall mechanical and / or chemical properties of the coated object.

[0051] binder In one embodiment, each provided coating composition (C1, ..., C n Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C) comprises at least one binder. n At least one binder present in each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C) may be the same as at least one binder present in the other provided coating compositions, or may be the same as at least one binder present in each of the provided coating compositions (C2, ..., C3, ..., C4, ...). n At least one binder present in the coating composition (A1, ..., A2) may be different from the binder(s) present in the other coating compositions provided. It is beneficial if each coating composition contains at least one identical binder, i.e., if each coating composition contains at least one binder that is identical to the binder(s) present in the other coating compositions provided. This allows the components (A1, ..., A3) to be mixed together, as described below. n ) from which the coating composition can be prepared, and the application of the resulting coating composition or the resulting coating layer CL iThere is no undesirable incompatibility that would adversely affect the properties of the composition.

[0052] Suitable binders include (i) poly(meth)acrylates, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional poly(meth)acrylates, (ii) polyurethanes, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional polyurethanes, (iii) polyesters, more specifically polyester polyols, (iv) polyethers, more specifically polyether polyols, (v) copolymers of the above polymers, and (vi) mixtures thereof. Particularly preferably, at least one binder is selected from hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and / or polyesters.

[0053] The hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) may contain, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer containing at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic and / or cycloaliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4. In the context of the present invention, when the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) is described as containing components M1-M4 in polymerized form, this means that these particular components are used as starting compounds for the preparation of said hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s). Since the monomers M1-M4 are polymerized via their unsaturated moieties, the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) preferably contain the unsaturated moieties already present in the monomers M1-M4 in the form of CC single bonds, in other words in their corresponding reacted form.

[0054] Suitable unsaturated monomers containing at least one acid group M1 include (meth)acrylic acid.

[0055] The at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14 Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 It may be chosen from alkyl (meth)acrylates, very preferably from butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid esters 13.0.

[0056] Suitable unsaturated cycloaliphatic monomers M2 include cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates, such as cyclo-C5-C7-alkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate.

[0057] The at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 may be chosen from styrene.

[0058] Suitable unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomers M4 include hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, more preferably hydroxy C1-C 12 Alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylates such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyisopropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyisobutyl (meth)acrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, especially 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

[0059] Hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylates can be prepared in organic solvents by polymerizing the aforementioned unsaturated monomers M1 to M4 in the presence of a free radical initiator. The free radical initiator can be selected from t-amyl peroxy compounds such as 1,1-di(t-amylperoxy)cyclohexane, t-amyl peroxy esters such as t-amyl peroxy, ethyl-3,3-di(t-amylperoxy)butyrate and t-amyl peroxy acetate, other peroxides such as di-t-butyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide and t-butyl perbenzoate, and azo compounds such as 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile). The amount of free radical initiator used varies from about 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 1 to 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers M1 to M4.

[0060] In some embodiments, at least one binder is a polyester. Suitable polyesters can be prepared by reacting polyfunctional acid or anhydride compounds, or mixtures of monofunctional and polyfunctional acid or anhydride compounds, with polyfunctional alcohols. Typical acid compounds include alkyl, alkylene, aralkylene, and aromatic monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and anhydrides, although acids or anhydrides with higher functionality may also be used. When trifunctional or higher functionality compounds are used, they can be used in mixtures with monofunctional carboxylic acids or monocarboxylic anhydrides, such as versatic acid, fatty acids, and neodecanoic acid. Examples of acid or anhydride functional compounds suitable for forming polyester groups or anhydrides of such compounds include phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, pyromellitic anhydride, succinic acid, azelaic acid, adipic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, citric acid, and trimellitic anhydride.

[0061] The polyol component used in the preparation of the polyester has a hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The polyol component may contain monofunctional, difunctional, trifunctional, and higher functionality alcohols. Diols are typical polyol components. If some branching of the polyester is desired, alcohols with higher functionality may be used, and mixtures of diols and triols can be used as the polyol component. However, in some cases, highly branched polyesters are undesirable due to their effect on the coating, such as reduced flowability, and undesirable effects on the cured film, such as reduced chip resistance and smoothness. Examples of useful polyols include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, and ethoxylated bisphenols. Methods for making polyesters are well known. Polyesters are typically formed by heating polyols and polyfunctional acid components together, with or without catalysis, to complete the reaction while removing the by-product water. A small amount of a solvent, such as toluene, may be added to azeotropically remove the water.

[0062] At least one binder is preferably present in each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) in each case provided coating composition C iand preferably from 20 to 65%, more preferably from 30 to 60%, and very preferably from 40 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder. When more than one binder is present, such as in the case of a mixture of hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and polyesters, the aforementioned amounts refer to the total amount of binder present in each provided coating composition, and thus to the sum of the amounts of hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate and polyester(s).

[0063] Crosslinker: Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) can contain at least one crosslinker. The presence of at least one crosslinker is generally optional and is only necessary if the coating composition contains a binder(s) with functional groups that are not self-reactive. When formulated as a 2K coating composition, the coating composition is prepared by mixing a base component (usually including a resin that is not reactive with the binder components at storage temperatures, additives, and optionally a crosslinker) with at least one hardener component that contains a crosslinker prior to application. In one example, one provided coating composition C is i At least one crosslinking agent present in the coating composition is the same as at least one crosslinking agent present in the other coating compositions provided. This is because the coating composition is made up of at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n In another example, each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) comprises at least one crosslinking agent that is different from the crosslinking agent(s) present in the other provided coating compositions.

[0064] The at least one crosslinking agent is preferably a crosslinking agent of the coating composition C i Preferably, the at least one crosslinking agent is capable of reacting with a functional group of at least one compound present in the binder.

[0065] When the functional group of the binder is active hydrogen, in particular OH, the curing agent can be an aminoplast or a polyisocyanate, with polyisocyanates being preferred. Suitable polyisocyanates include organic polyisocyanates containing free isocyanate groups bound to aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and / or aromatic groups. It is preferred to use polyisocyanates having 2 to 5 isocyanate groups per molecule and having a viscosity of 100 to 10,000 mPa*s, preferably 100 to 5,000 mPa*s, and in particular 100 to 2,000 mPa*s (at 23°C). Where appropriate, a small amount of organic solvent, preferably 1 to 25% by weight based on the neat polyisocyanate, may be added to the polyisocyanate in order to improve the ease of incorporation of the polyisocyanate and, where appropriate, to reduce the viscosity of the polyisocyanate to a level within the aforementioned range. Examples of suitable solvent additives for polyisocyanates include ethoxyethylpropionate, amyl methyl ketone, and butyl acetate. In addition, polyisocyanates may be subjected to conventional hydrophilic or hydrophobic modifications. Further examples of suitable polyisocyanates include polyisocyanates containing isocyanurate groups, biuret groups, allophanate groups, iminooxadiazinedione groups, urethane groups, urea groups, and / or uretdione groups. Polyisocyanates containing urethane groups can be obtained, for example, by reacting a portion of the isocyanate groups with polyols, such as trimethylolpropane and glycerol.It is preferable to use aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, in particular hexamethylene diisocyanate, dimeric and trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, 2-isocyanatopropylcyclohexylisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 2,4'-diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate or 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, diisocyanates derived from dimer fatty acids sold under the name DDI 1410 by Henkel, 1,8-diisocyanato-4-isocyanatomethyloctane, 1,7-diisocyanato-4-isocyanatomethylheptane or 1-isocyanato-2-(3-isocyanatopropyl)cyclohexane or mixtures of these polyisocyanates. If the functional group is an amine, the curing agent can be a polyisocyanate or a polyepoxide or a polyanhydride; if the functional group is a carboxylic acid, the curing agent can be a polyepoxide or a polyanhydride; if the functional group is an epoxy, the curing agent can be a polyacid or a polyamine.

[0066] Suitable crosslinking agents include aminoplast resins and / or polyisocyanates, preferably aminoplast resins and aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, very preferably aminoplast resins and hexamethylene diisocyanates and / or dimerized and / or trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanates.

[0067] Sagging Control Agent (SCA): Coating composition C provided in step (b) iAt least one of the coating compositions may further contain at least one sag control agent (SCA) to adjust the thixotropic rheological behavior of said coating composition. SCA affects the sag leveling properties of the coating composition because SCA particles tend to form loose interpenetrating networks at low shear stresses by controlled flocculation. At high shear stresses (e.g., during spraying of the coating composition), the SCA network is destroyed, and the effect of SCA addition on high shear viscosity is nearly zero, since SCA is typically used at low concentrations. After application, the wet coating composition is subjected to low (gravitational) shear stresses. Under such low shear conditions, the SCA network is built up and the viscosity increases. This shear thinning behavior of the SCA modified coating composition is beneficial because it enhances the sag resistance of the paint. Since the rate of formation of the SCA network is relatively slow, the SCA modified coating composition is often thixotropic. Thus, the provided coating composition(s) containing a higher amount of SCA have better sag resistance than the provided coating composition(s) containing a lower amount of SCA or no SCA (i.e., a total amount of SCA less than 1% by weight, preferably 0% by weight, based on the total weight of the coating composition). However, the provided coating composition(s) containing a lower amount of SCA or no SCA have better leveling properties. Thus, the addition of SCA can be used to adjust the sag resistance and / or leveling properties of each provided coating composition and match these properties to the orientation of the target area. For example, a coating composition applied to a horizontally oriented target area contains a low amount of SCA or no SCA to improve the leveling properties, while a coating composition applied to a vertically oriented target area contains a higher amount of SCA to improve sag resistance and avoid sag of the applied coating composition. As used herein, "vertically oriented" refers to a surface that is substantially parallel to the direction of gravity, i.e., at an angle of 90°±45° with respect to the earth's surface, more preferably at an angle of 90°±30° with respect to the earth's surface."Horizontally oriented" refers to a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, i.e., at an angle of 180°±45° with respect to the earth's surface, more preferably at an angle of 180°±30° with respect to the earth's surface.

[0068] SCA are typically anisotropic colloidal particles formed by crystallization of urea molecules. The urea molecules can be obtained by reacting an isocyanate compound with a primary or secondary amine, optionally in the presence of a resin, such as a (meth)acrylate resin. The isocyanate compound can be an isocyanate-functional polymer, such as an isocyanate-functional (meth)acrylic polymer, or a commonly known polyisocyanate. The reaction between the isocyanate compound and the primary or secondary amine may generally be carried out by combining the reaction components in any selected manner, optionally in the presence of a resin. The reaction may be carried out at a temperature in the range of 20 to 120°C, more specifically in the range of 25 to 95°C. Typically, the primary or secondary amine is added directly to the isocyanate compound at the desired reaction temperature, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, such as a tin compound. The reaction proceeds until the isocyanate is completely consumed. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of a resin, the isocyanate compound and the primary or secondary amine are added to the resin either together or sequentially.

[0069] In the present invention, it is preferred if the sag control agent (SCA) is selected from polymeric sag control agents. The term "polymeric sag control agent" refers to an SCA obtained by reacting an isocyanate-functional polymer with a primary or secondary amine, or by reacting a polyisocyanate with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of at least one resin. Thus, the SCA prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with an amine is not included in the term "polymeric sag control agent".

[0070] Polymeric sag control agents (SCAs) are obtained by reacting a primary or secondary amine with an isocyanate compound in the presence of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate. Suitable polyisocyanates that can be used to form the SCA include blocked or unblocked aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic di-, tri-, polyisocyanates or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable polyisocyanates include 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate, 2,4,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate, cyclohexyl-1,4-diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and two molecules of isophorone diisocyanate, an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and two molecules of hexamethylene diisocyanate, and an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and two molecules of isophorone diisocyanate. These include adducts of two diisocyanates, dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene, toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and toluene diisocyanate. Also suitable are isocyanurate trimers of diisocyanates. In some embodiments, aliphatic polyisocyanates are used, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate.

[0071] Examples of primary amines include benzylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, secpropylamine, n-butylamine, sec.butylamine, tert.butylamine, n-pentylamine, alpha-methylbutylamine, alpha-ethylpropylamine, beta-ethylbutamine, hexylamine, octylamine, decylamine, stearylamine, cyclohexylamine, aniline and hexamethylenediamine. Examples of suitable secondary amines include dibutylamine, diethylamine, diisopropylamine, diethanolamine and diisopropanolamine. These amines generally contain up to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Also relevant are amines containing one or more primary or secondary amino groups and one or more ether groups and / or hydroxyl groups. For example, ethanolamine, 6-aminohexanol, p-methoxybenzylamine, methoxypropylamine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-ethylamine, 2,5-dimethoxyaniline, furfurylamine, tetrahydrofurfurylamine can be used. Mixtures of the above mentioned amines can also be used. In some embodiments, aromatic primary amines are used, such as benzylamine.

[0072] Suitable hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates contain, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer containing at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4.

[0073] Suitable unsaturated monomers containing at least one acid group M1 include (meth)acrylic acid.

[0074] The at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22 From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 It can be selected from alkyl (meth)acrylates.

[0075] The at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 may be chosen from styrene.

[0076] Suitable unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomers M4 include hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, such as C1-C ... 12 Alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylates are included.

[0077] Particularly preferably, the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, (meth)acrylic acid, butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid ester 13.0, styrene and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate.

[0078] Suitable weight ratios of monomers M1:M2:M3:M4 include from 1:50:50:30 to 1:30:20:10.

[0079] The hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates can be prepared by radical-free polymerization of monomers M1-M4 as described above for the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate binders.

[0080] The polymeric sag control agents (SCAs) have an average molecular weight M of 3,000 to 50,000 g / mol, preferably 4,000 to 30,000 g / mol, and very preferably 5,000 to 15,000 g / mol, as determined by GPC using polystyrene as an internal standard.w has.

[0081] The viscosity of the sag control agent may be in the range of 500 to 4,000 mPa*s, preferably 700 to 3,000 mPa*s, very preferably 1,000 to 2,500 mPa*s (25° C., 10 / s, Z3) (DIN ISO2884-1:2006-09).

[0082] The hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate used in preparing the polymeric sag control agent is preferably also present in the provided coating composition(s) that does not contain a polymeric sag control agent or that contains a lower amount of the polymeric sag agent compared to the provided coating composition(s) that contains a higher amount of the polymeric sag agent. This allows the provided coating composition to be classified as a composite of components (A1, ..., A2), as described below. n ) without any incompatibilities during application of the coating composition that could result in clogging of application equipment or degradation of the optical quality of the resulting coating layer.

[0083] Preferably, the sag control agent (SCA), in particular the polymeric sag control agent, is in each case present in the respective coating composition C i Each of the coating compositions C provided herein is present in a total amount of 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably 2 to 30% by weight, more preferably 3 to 20% by weight, and very preferably 4 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the coating composition C. i Depending on the amount of SCA in each coating composition C i As previously described, has either good leveling properties (low or no SCA) or good sag resistance (high amount of SCA).

[0084] Further additives other than SCA: Separately from the SCA, at least one coating composition C is provided. i may further comprise at least one additive different from the sag control agent (SCA).

[0085] In one example, any of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) further comprises at least one additive, in particular a similar additive or additives, which allows the coating composition to be prepared by mixing components (A1, ..., A n ) without any incompatibilities arising during preparation of the provided coating compositions.

[0086] In another example, only some of the provided coating compositions contain the further additive(s), while other parts of the provided coating compositions do not contain said additive (i.e., contain 0 wt. % of the further additive, relative to the total weight of the respective coating composition).

[0087] Suitable additives different from sag control additives include crosslinkers, light stabilizers, levelling agents, UV absorbers, pigments, free radical scavengers, slip additives, polymerisation inhibitors, defoamers, wetting agents, adhesion promoters, flow control agents, film forming aids such as cellulose derivatives, fillers, rheology control additives, flame retardants and / or moisture scavengers, especially crosslinkers, light stabilizers and levelling agents.

[0088] Suitable leveling agents include silicon-containing leveling agents, such as those having the following structural formula: [ka] (In the formula, R represents hydrogen, an alkyl residue, an alkylaryl residue, a glycol residue, a hydroxy group, a hydroxyalkyl residue, an amino group or an aminoalkyl residue, and n and m are each a positive integer. The silicone-containing leveling agent has the formula:

[0089] Representative silicone-containing leveling agents include dimethylpolysiloxane (where R=H) and modified silicone leveling agents where R is alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc., alkylaryl, such as methylaryl, ethylaryl, etc., glycol residues, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, and amino.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, each provided coating composition (C1, ..., C n ) is a resultant coating layer (C1, ..., C2) that matches the set of properties identified in step (a). n ) The only difference is the amount and / or type of material component(s) required to achieve the respective properties. The absence of a material component in one coating composition compared to another provided coating composition can be compensated for using at least one solvent. In the case of a solvent-based coating composition, the at least one solvent can be an organic solvent commonly used in solvent-based coating compositions, such as solvent naphtha. This approach avoids inconsistencies during the preparation of the coating layer in the overspray area, thus reducing the adverse effect on the overall appearance of the coated object. In one example of this preferred embodiment, exactly two coating compositions C1 and C2 are provided, where one of the two provided coating compositions contains a higher amount of flexible polyester resin to provide a coating layer with increased flexibility and stone chipping resistance but reduced chemical resistance, while the other provided coating composition contains a lower amount of flexible polyester resin to provide a coating layer with increased hardness and chemical resistance but reduced stone chipping resistance.

[0091] The coating composition can be provided in step (b) in a number of ways. According to a first embodiment of step (b), step (b) comprises: (b-1) At least two components (A i )i=1、…、n and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (b-2) Component A provided in step (b-1) i Select at least a portion of the mixing ratio(s) to produce a coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties identified in step (a). i obtaining (b-3) optionally, selecting the mixing ratio(s) of at least one hardener component B provided in step (b-1); and (b-4) Component A i , optionally with at least one hardener component B in the mixing ratio(s) selected in steps (b-2) and optionally (b-3) to produce a coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties identified in step (a). i Coating composition C resulting in i A process for providing Includes:

[0092] The term "(A i ) i=1、…、n " refers to a sequence of components A, e.g. A1, A2, A3, ..., A n where n is the last member of the sequence. The term "component" refers to a single material component or a mixture of at least two material components.

[0093] At least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n It is preferred according to this embodiment to provide the component (A i ) i=1、…、ndoes not, upon application, result in a respective coating layer that matches the set of properties identified in step (a). This is the case when the components provided in step (b-1) result in a coating layer that has properties (e.g., the location of each target area on the object) that are too high / low compared to the properties required to match the set of properties identified in step (a). At least some of the components provided in step (b-1) must be mixed to produce a coating layer that has properties that match the set of properties identified in step (a).

[0094] The hardener component B preferably comprises at least one component A i The coating composition contains at least one crosslinking agent capable of reacting with the functional groups of the compounds present in the coating composition. Suitable crosslinking agents include the polyisocyanate compounds described above. The use of a curing agent component B during the preparation of the coating composition is generally optional, and the coating composition may be prepared by mixing the base component (i.e., the components (A1, ..., A2) provided in step (b-1) with the curing agent component B. n In the 2K coating composition, the components (A1, ..., A2) provided in step (b-1) are only required if the 2K coating composition is prepared from a mixture obtained by mixing the components (A1, ..., A3) provided in step (b-2) and at least one hardener component B. n ) contains binder(s) having functional groups that are not self-reactive or is provided by components (A1, ..., A n The amount / type of crosslinker(s) contained in the coating composition is too low to achieve sufficient crosslinking during curing of the applied coating composition.

[0095] In step (b-2), the mixing ratio of at least some of the components provided in step (b-1) is selected so as to produce a coating layer having properties corresponding to the set of properties identified in step (a). The properties of the coating layer may be predefined properties and may depend, for example, on the location of the target area to which the respective coating composition is intended to be applied in step (c).

[0096] Step (b-2) involves determining the desired properties of each coating layer and selecting a mixing ratio for at least a portion of the components provided in step (b-1) to determine the properties of the resulting coating layer CL when applying the coating composition obtained from step (b-4) onto each target area of ​​the object. i Determining the coating layer properties may include, in step (c), determining the orientation and / or location of the target area(s) on the object to be coated with the coating composition, and selecting a mix ratio that provides the appropriate coating layer properties for the determined orientation and / or location. In one example, the mix ratio is: i and a set of properties related to the target area and may be provided in paper or electronic form to a user performing the method of the present invention. i The set of characteristics of the determined target area(s) and the component A may be correlated with a set of characteristics associated with the target area and stored in a database. A processing device having access to the database may then process the set of characteristics of the determined target area(s) and the component A. i Instructions (e.g., formula, ingredient A i Determine the appropriate mix ratio(s) when providing the mixing device with the number of components (e.g., numbers indicating the components of A, B, C, D, E, E, F, E, F, G, H, I, I, M, I, M, L, I, M, L, etc.) and display the determined mix ratio(s) to a user or provide the determined mix ratio to a mixing device and perform a process based on the provided mix ratio(s) and the component A, i The coating composition(s) is / are automatically mixed based on data relating to the

[0097] In one example, when a coating layer with higher flexibility and stone chipping resistance is required, a higher fraction of the flexible polyester-rich component provided in step (b-1) is selected in step (b-2). In another example, when a coating layer with higher hardness and chemical resistance is required, a lower fraction of the flexible polyester-rich component provided in step (b-1) is selected in step (b-2). This allows the properties of the resulting coating layer to be adjusted to each set of properties, for example, the location of different target areas, by selecting a suitable mixing ratio between at least two components provided in step (b-1). This allows the properties of the coating layer to be changed according to each set of properties of the target areas, and for example, the flexibility of the coating layer can be adjusted according to the location of the target area(s) on the object. By varying the mixing ratio to achieve the desired properties of the coating layer, multiple coating layers with defined properties can be produced by providing only two components in step (b-1), namely a component containing a binder and a component containing a flexible polyester resin and / or a component that enhances scratch resistance and / or a component containing a light stabilizer, which allows a reduction in the number of coating compositions that need to be stored to obtain comparable results in terms of overall mechanical and / or chemical properties of the coated object, thus reducing the need for large storage capacities.

[0098] At least one component A provided in step (b-1) i may comprise at least one binder as described above. Particularly preferably, each component (A1, ..., A n Each of the components A provided contains at least one binder, in particular at least one binder as described above. i At least one binder present in the composition is selected from other components A provided n-i may be the same as at least one binder present in each provided component A iAt least one binder present in the composition is selected from other components A provided n-i Each component A may be different from the binder(s) present in the composition. i contains at least one identical binder, i.e. each provided component A i However, other components provided A n-i It is advantageous if the binder comprises at least one binder that is identical to the binder(s) present in the component (A1, ..., A n ) during mixing, thus reducing the occurrence of undesirable incompatibilities that adversely affect the resulting properties of the coating layer resulting from step (c). Suitable binders and total amounts of binders are those described above.

[0099] The mixing ratio selected in step (b-2) and optional step (b-3) is preferably a volume ratio. i A volume:volume mixing ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1, of the mixture of the hardener component B and at least one hardener component B is selected in step (b-3). If more than one hardener component B is provided in step (b-1), the aforementioned mixing ratios are valid for each hardener component provided in step (b-1). The use of these mixing ratios ensures sufficient hardening of the coating composition obtained after application to each target area(s), thus avoiding a negative impact on the overall optical appearance due to insufficient hardening of the coating layer formed.

[0100] According to a second alternative embodiment of step (b), at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n Providing at least two coating material components by mixing them to provide at least two different compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n and coating layers (C i ) i=1、…、neach having properties matching the distinct property sets identified in step (a). The term "coating material components" refers to compounds commonly used in the preparation of coating materials, such as solvents, pigments, binders, additives, etc. The properties of the coating layer required to match the property sets identified in step (a) can be obtained by using commonly known flexible resins, modified binders, light stabilizers, etc.

[0101] In one example, the coating material components include: - Base component BC i , and - at least one hardener component B Includes:

[0102] The base component may be selected such that the properties of the resulting coating layer match the set of properties identified in step (a). For example, the base component may contain a large amount of flexible polyester resin, resulting in a coating layer with high flexibility and therefore high stone chipping resistance. The coating composition may be applied to a target area where high stone chipping resistance is required. In another example, the base component may contain a low amount of flexible polyester resin or no flexible polyester resin, resulting in a coating layer with high hardness and therefore high chemical resistance (but low stone chipping resistance). The coating composition may be applied to a target area where high chemical resistance but low stone chipping resistance is required. In another example, the base component may contain particles, such as SiO2 particles and nanoparticles, resulting in a coating layer with scratch resistance. The coating composition may be applied to a target area where high scratch resistance is required. In another example, the base component may contain a low amount of said particles or no said particles, resulting in a coating layer with low scratch resistance. The coating composition may be applied to a target area where low scratch resistance is required. In another example, the hardener component may be selected so that the properties of the resulting coating layer match the set of properties identified in step (a). For example, hardener component B includes at least one compound containing one or more hydrolyzable silane groups, resulting in a coating layer with high scratch resistance. The coating composition prepared from said hardener B may be applied to the target area where a coating layer with high scratch resistance is desired. In another example, hardener component B does not include said compound containing one or more hydrolyzable silane groups, resulting in a coating layer with lower scratch resistance. The coating composition prepared from said hardener B may be applied to the target area where a coating layer with low or lower scratch resistance is desired.

[0103] At least one base component BC i may be mixed with at least one hardener component B in a volume:volume mix ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1.

[0104] In step (b-4), component A i and optionally a hardener component(s) B or a base component BC i Mixing the curing agent component B and the curing agent component B to prepare the at least two coating compositions can be carried out in a number of ways known in the art.

[0105] In one example, each component A i and optionally hardener component(s) B are mixed in a selected mixing ratio and the resulting coating composition is fed to an application device. i with at least one hardener component B, said at least one base component BC i and at least one hardener component B are mixed, and the resulting coating composition is fed to an application device. n The order of mixing components (A1, ..., A) and optionally the hardener component B is not important and can be varied. n After mixing the components (A1, ..., A), the resulting mixture can be mixed with the hardener component B (if applicable), or the components (A1, ..., A n ) are mixed in the first stage, during which the components (A1, ..., A n The remaining part of the hardener component B can be mixed with the hardener component B in a second step, or vice versa. The mixtures obtained from steps 1 and 2 are then combined. The mixing can be performed manually or using a commonly known mixing device. The reservoir used for mixing can be directly connected to the application device, or the mixed coating composition can be filled into a respective reservoir attached to the application device after the mixing operation. Suitable reservoirs include cans, containers suitable for storing the coating composition or a part thereof and can be attached to the application device, for example, via a line. Applying the coating composition to the target area of ​​the object after preparation is preferred when steps (b) and (c) are performed sequentially.

[0106] In another example, the coating compositions each comprise component A i and optionally a hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio in an application device. The coating composition is obtained by mixing at least one base component BC i with at least one hardener component B, said at least one base component BC i is mixed in the coating device with at least one hardener component B. The mixing in the coating device is carried out by mixing the provided components (A 1、 …, A n ), or at least one base component BC i Mixing can be facilitated by attaching respective reservoirs containing component A, component B, and optionally a hardener to the spray device, and mixing the attached components within the atomizer of the spray device by providing the spray device with information regarding the selected mix ratio(s) and the components to be mixed. i or B.C. i This can also be facilitated by mixing at least a portion of component A with the hardener component B before feeding the mixture into the application device. In this case, the remaining component A n-iis optionally mixed with hardener component B, or hardener component B is provided to the mixing device by additionally attaching a reservoir containing the remaining components to the application device. Suitable spray devices that allow the attachment of at least two different reservoirs and the mixing of the components present in the at least two attached reservoirs in the atomizer include, for example, the EcoBell3 2X2K available from Duerr. The preparation of the coating composition in the application device avoids the use of a separate mixing device and allows the mixing ratio to be automatically controlled to produce reproducible coating compositions. By carrying out the mixing in the application device, the period required for the preparation and application of the coating composition is reduced, since steps (b) and (c) can be carried out immediately after each other, with only a minimal time gap between the preparation of the coating composition and the application of the prepared coating composition, thus significantly reducing the overall time required to carry out the method of the invention. Furthermore, the time for cleaning the application device is reduced compared to the use of different coating compositions, since the same components are used to produce coating layers with different properties, which makes cleaning of the application device unnecessary.

[0107] Process (c): In step (c) of the method of the present invention, the coating compositions provided in step (b) are applied to a target area(s) associated with a matching set of properties. Thus, each coating composition is applied in step (c) onto a target area(s) having a set of properties that match the properties of the coating layer that will result from application of the coating composition on the target area of ​​the object. A preferred property in the set of properties includes the location of the target area on the object.

[0108] The application of the coating composition in step (c) can be carried out using any type of application equipment known for applying coating compositions to objects, and includes, for example, dip coating equipment, bar coating equipment, spray equipment, rolling equipment, etc. Particularly preferably, step (b) is carried out using a spray application equipment. Suitable spray application equipment includes compressed air spray equipment (pneumatic spray equipment), airless spray equipment, high speed rotary equipment or electrostatic spray application equipment (ESTA), optionally associated with hot spray, e.g. hot air spray equipment.

[0109] Each coating composition may be applied to every target area having the same set of matching properties, or only to a portion of the target area having the same set of matching properties. Preferably, each coating composition is applied to every target area having the same set of matching properties. This avoids replacement of the coating composition during application, thus reducing cleaning time and material consumption. If in step (c) a particular coating composition is applied to only a portion of the target area having the same set of properties, step (c) may be repeated for said coating composition, provided that said coating composition is applied to the remaining target areas having the same set of properties as the target area to which said coating composition was applied in step (c). Repeating step (c) is generally optional, and need only be performed if only a portion of the target area having the same set of properties is coated with the coating composition provided in step (c).

[0110] In one example, a coating composition that results in a coating layer with high flexibility and therefore high stone chipping resistance is applied to a target area where high stone chipping resistance is required, while a further coating composition that results in a coating layer with high hardness and therefore low stone chipping resistance but high chemical resistance is applied to a target area where high chemical resistance but low stone chipping resistance is required. This allows for an overall high mechanical, physical, and / or chemical quality of the final coating to be achieved because the properties of the coating layer are tailored to the set of properties of the coated target area.

[0111] In another example, a coating composition that results in a coating layer having high scratch resistance is applied to target areas where high scratch resistance is desired, while a coating composition that results in lower scratch resistance, and therefore less expensive, is applied to target areas where lower scratch resistance is desired.

[0112] In yet another example, a coating composition that results in a coating layer having high lightfastness is applied to target areas where high lightfastness is desired, while a coating composition that results in lower lightfastness, and therefore less expensive, is applied to target areas where lower lightfastness is desired.

[0113] This allows the object to be coated more cost-effectively and with a higher overall quality in terms of mechanical and / or chemical properties, since the properties of the coating layer are tailored to the set of properties of the target area being coated.

[0114] The coating composition is applied so that each coating layer after curing in step (d) has a dry film thickness of, for example, 15 to 80 micrometers, preferably 20 to 65 micrometers, particularly preferably 25 to 60 micrometers.

[0115] The method of the present invention is suitable for coating a variety of metallic and non-metallic objects in either a batch or continuous process, where the object remains stationary during each step of the process, or in a continuous process, where the object moves continuously along the coating line in assembly line fashion.

[0116] Suitable objects to be coated by the method of the present invention include (i) uncoated metal objects, or metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, (ii) plastic objects optionally coated with a cured primer layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, and (iii) objects containing metal and plastic parts and optionally coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a cured primer surfacer layer and / or a cured primer layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, preferably metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, very preferably metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and a non-cured basecoat layer. The objects preferably include regions with different orientations relative to each other, such as vertically oriented regions and horizontally oriented regions.

[0117] Suitable metal objects include or are selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and magnesium objects, and objects made of alloys of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and magnesium.

[0118] The coated and uncoated metal objects can be pretreated in a manner known per se, i.e., for example, cleaned and / or provided with a known conversion coating. Cleaning can be carried out mechanically, for example by wiping, grinding and / or polishing, and / or chemically by etching methods, for example by surface etching in an acid or alkaline bath using hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or by cleaning with organic solvents or aqueous detergents. Pretreatment by conversion treatment, in particular phosphating and / or chromating, preferably phosphating, can also be carried out. Preferably, the metal objects are at least conversion treated, in particular phosphating, preferably zinc phosphating.

[0119] Metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat are produced by electrophoretically applying an electrocoat material to the object and then curing the applied electrocoat material. The electrocoat material is a cathodic or anodic electrocoat material, preferably a cathodic electrocoat material. The electrocoat material is an aqueous coating material that contains an anionic or cationic polymer as a binder. These polymers are potentially anionic, i.e. contain functional groups that can be converted to anionic groups, for example carboxylic acid groups, or potentially cationic, i.e. contain functional groups that can be converted to cationic groups, for example amino groups. The conversion to charged groups is generally achieved by the use of suitable neutralizing agents (organic amines (anionic), organic carboxylic acids, e.g. formic acid (cationic). The electrocoating materials generally contain typical anticorrosive pigments. Cathodic electrocoating materials which are preferred in the context of the present invention preferably contain cationic polymers as binders, in particular hydroxy-functional polyetheramines which preferably have aromatic structural units. These polymers are used in particular in combination with blocked polyisocyanates which are known per se. The application of the electrocoating materials proceeds by electrophoresis. For this purpose, the metal workpiece to be coated is first immersed in an immersion bath which contains the coating material, and a direct electric field is applied between the metal workpiece and the counterelectrode. In this way the workpiece The base acts as an electrode and the non-volatile constituents of the electrocoating material migrate to the object through the electric field due to the described charge of the polymer used as binder and are deposited on the object to form an electrocoating film. For example, in the case of cathodic electrocoating, the object is thus connected as a cathode and the hydroxide ions formed there by the electrolysis of water neutralize the cationic binder and are deposited on the object to form an electrocoating layer. After electrolytic application of the electrocoating material, the coated object is removed from the bath and is optionally rinsed, for example with an aqueous rinse, then optionally flashed off and / or intermediately dried and finally cured. The dry film thickness of the cured electrocoating is, for example, 10 to 40 micrometers, preferably 15 to 25 micrometers.

[0120] Metal objects coated with a cured filler layer are produced by applying a filler coating composition to the object, optionally flashing off and / or intermediate drying the applied composition, and finally curing the composition. Suitable filler coating compositions are known in the art. The dry film thickness of the cured filler layer is, for example, 10 to 40 micrometers, preferably 25 to 30 micrometers.

[0121] Metal objects coated with an uncured basecoat layer are produced by applying at least one basecoat composition to an object to be optionally coated with at least one cured or uncured coating layer, and optionally flashing off and / or intermediate drying said applied basecoat composition. The dry film thickness of the cured basecoat layer is, for example, 5 to 40 micrometers, preferably 10 to 30 micrometers.

[0122] Preferred plastic objects are essentially objects that comprise or consist of (i) polar plastics, such as polycarbonates, polyamides, polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyesters, polyphenylene oxides and blends of these plastics, (ii) synthetic resins, such as polyurethanes RIM, SMC, BMC, and (iii) polyolefin objects of the polyethylene and polypropylene type with a high rubber content, such as PP-EPDM, and surface-activated polyolefin objects. Plastics may furthermore be fiber-reinforced, in particular with carbon and / or metal fibers.

[0123] Preferably, the objects to be coated by the method of the present invention are used as components for manufacturing vehicles, preferably automobiles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, and tractors. The objects can have any shape, but are typically in the form of automobile body components, such as bodies, hoods, doors, fenders, bumpers, and / or trim for automobiles. The present invention is most useful in the context of coating automobile bodies and their components as they move continuously along an automobile assembly line.

[0124] Process (d): The method of the present invention may further include step (d) of curing, or drying and curing, the coating compositions applied in step (c) to form at least two coating layers with tunable properties. The curing, or drying and curing, may occur after every coating composition is applied to every target area, or after each coating composition is applied to at least a portion of the target area. Performing step (d) after every coating composition is applied to every target area is more energy efficient since only one curing operation, which requires high temperatures, is performed.

[0125] Drying can be carried out at 15-35° C. for 10-30 minutes. Curing is preferably carried out at temperatures between 80 and 250° C., preferably between 80 and 180° C., for 5-60 minutes, preferably between 10 and 45 minutes. Curing conditions of this kind apply in particular when the coating composition(s) is / are based on a thermosetting 2K coating composition(s), since these conditions are necessary to achieve the curing of such 2K coating composition(s).

[0126] The method of the present invention allows the properties of the coating layer to be matched to the set of properties of each target area, e.g. the location of the target area on the object. This allows a higher overall mechanical and / or chemical property to be achieved than by producing a coating layer with balanced properties, since properties such as flexibility and hardness are mutually exclusive and cannot be adjusted without adversely affecting each other. In principle, a coating layer with adjustable properties can be obtained from a coating composition prepared by mixing only two components A1 and A2, e.g. a component containing a large amount of flexible polyester resin and a component containing little or no flexible polyester resin, in a suitable mixing ratio, in this way a coating layer with the required properties can be produced from a minimum number of components. This allows a reduction in the number of coating compositions that need to be stored or installed in the application device, thus reducing the overall costs associated with the method of the present invention.

[0127] Use of the present invention: A further subject of the invention is the use of the method of the invention for preparing coated objects containing target areas in which coated layers having different properties are desired.

[0128] Use of the methods of the present invention, as described above, results in higher overall mechanical and / or chemical properties for the coated object, since the properties of the coating layer match the set of properties for each target area, e.g., the location of each target area on the object.

[0129] What has been said regarding the method according to the invention also applies mutatis mutandis with regard to the further preferred embodiments of the use according to the invention.

[0130] The system of the present invention: A further subject of the invention is a system for applying at least two coating compositions resulting in a coating layer with adjustable properties to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different sets of properties, where each coating composition is applied onto a target area having a set of properties that match the properties of the respective coating composition, such that no coating composition is applied to a target area having a different set of properties.

[0131] The system includes a coating device including a nozzle, a storage device for storing coating instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions, one or more data processors configured to execute the coating instructions and, optionally, the mixing ratio instructions to control the coating device, and at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B or at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n and at least two reservoirs in fluid communication with an application device comprising: i Or each mixture of one or more components and B forms a coating layer CL having properties matching a set of properties of the target area(s). i As described above with respect to step (b) of the process of the present invention, component A i At least a portion of the binder component B is already mixed with the reservoir. i and Binder B.

[0132] In one embodiment of the system, the application device comprises one or more components A i and optionally B from a reservoir, and i and optionally B are configured to be mixed in the nozzle based on the mix ratio instructions. The mixing results in the clear coat compositions (C1, ..., C n At least two clear coat compositions (C1, ..., C2) are prepared, which upon mixing result in coating layers with different properties. n ) is prepared. Then, the resulting coating composition (Ci ) i=1、…、n is dispensed through the nozzle to a target coating area or areas having a matching set of properties based on the application instructions. i Each of the coating compositions may be associated with a mixing instruction used for its preparation. Thus, the coating composition C prepared according to the mixing instruction may be i The characteristics of the coating layer obtained by discharging each of them according to the coating command are i This ensures that each matches the characteristics of the target area(s) into which it is dispensed. This embodiment is preferred when the coating composition dispensed into the target area needs to be produced from at least two different components and a separate mixing step outside of the application device is to be avoided.

[0133] In an alternative embodiment of the system, the application device comprises at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from the reservoir and a coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n is configured to be dispensed through the nozzle based on the application command onto the target area(s) having a matching set of properties. This embodiment is preferred when a coating composition is used that results in a coating layer having properties that are required to match the set of properties of the respective target area(s).

[0134] In both embodiments, the same coating composition is not dispensed onto target areas having different sets of properties, i.e., the coating composition that results in a coating layer with defined properties is only dispensed onto target areas having a matching set of properties and not onto target areas having a non-matching set of properties, thereby producing a coating layer with properties that match the set of properties of the target area, such as the location of the target area on an object.

[0135] Suitable application devices include the spray application devices described above in relation to step (c) of the method of the present invention.

[0136] The storage device stores application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions. The application instructions may include position data (target area position data) associated with each target area. The application instructions may further include property data associated with a set of properties of at least a portion of the target areas. The mixing ratio instructions may include mixing ratio data associated with the component data. The mixing ratio data may include mixing ratios of different components A and, optionally, hardener B. The mixing ratio data may include property data associated with properties of the resulting coating layer. The property data may be correlated with the respective mixing ratios of the component(s) A and B. The component data may include component names and / or component identifiers. The application instructions may be associated with the mixing ratio instructions. This may include correlating the target area position data with the respective mixing ratio data. Associating application instructions with mixing instructions ensures that the correct coating composition is applied to the correct target area(s), e.g., that a coating composition that results in a coating layer having properties matching a set of properties of the target area(s) is applied to said target area(s). The instructions are computer-executable instructions that enable a computer processor to control the mixing and dispensing process performed by the application device. Thus, the application instructions and optionally the mixing ratio instructions are considered as control data used to control the application device. The control data may be generated by one or more computer processors. The control data may be generated by a further computing unit and provided to one or more computer processors to control the application device based on the provided control data.

[0137] The one or more computer processors may be present in a computing system as described above in relation to step (a). The computing system may further include a storage device as described above. The processor of the computing system is configured to execute the application instructions and optionally the mix ratio instructions, and to control the application device upon execution of said instructions.

[0138] The reservoirs may be any container suitable for containing the coating composition or a portion thereof and capable of being connected to an application device such that the application device can receive the components present in the respective reservoirs. The connection between the reservoirs and the application device may be facilitated using lines.

[0139] In an embodiment, the one or more data processors further comprise: - receiving, by one or more data processors, target image data of the object, the target image data including a plurality of target regions; - generating application instructions based on the received image data; The coating instruction is generated by

[0140] Target image data of the object may be provided to the data processor from a storage device, e.g. a database. Retrieval of the data may be performed by inputting data indicative of the object, e.g. a vehicle identification number, a unique ID, etc., and retrieving the data based on the input data. In one example, the target image data may be an image of the object. In another example, the target image data may be CAD data of the object. Application instructions may be generated by determining characteristics of said target area, in particular the characteristic and position(s), and generating application instructions based on said determined characteristics, in particular the determined characteristic and position(s). Determination of the characteristics may be performed based on instructions present in the provided target image data.

[0141] In an embodiment, the one or more data processors further comprise: - obtaining application instructions including characteristic data relating to a set of characteristics of at least a portion of the target area; - obtaining data relating to the ingredients used in the preparation of the coating composition to be applied; and - determining a mix ratio command based on the application command, in particular based on characteristic data related to a set of characteristics of at least a portion of the target area contained in the application command; The mixed instruction is generated by:

[0142] The component-related data may include mixing ratio data associated with properties of the resulting coating layer(s). The component-related data may further include component name(s) and / or component identifier(s). The mixing instructions are determined by mapping properties contained in the component-related data with a matching set of properties contained in the property data included in the application instructions and determining the mixing ratio(s) associated with the mapped properties.

[0143] The systems of the present invention can be used to carry out the methods of the present invention.

[0144] What has been said regarding the method according to the invention and the uses according to the invention also applies mutatis mutandis with regard to the further preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention.

[0145] The present invention is specifically described by the following embodiments: 1. A method for preparing an object comprising a plurality of target areas and coated with at least two coating layers having tunable properties, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different sets of properties, comprising the steps of: (a) identifying at least two target regions and identifying a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, wherein the at least two target regions have different sets of characteristics; (b) at least two different coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、nproviding each coating composition (C1, ..., C n ) are then coated with coating layers (CL1, ..., CL2) having properties matching the set of distinct properties identified in step (a). n ), and (c) each of the coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) to the target area(s) associated with the matching set of characteristics. The method includes:

[0146] 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the tunable properties include hardness, scratch resistance, light fastness, appearance and / or adhesion.

[0147] 3. A method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the sets of different characteristics identified in step (a) include different orientations of each of the target areas on the object relative to one another and / or different positions of each of the target areas.

[0148] 4. Step (a) includes a computing device with a display and one or more user input devices adapted to detect user input: (a-1) displaying a user interface including an object on a display; (a-2) detecting a user input indicating identifying at least two target regions on the object and a set of characteristics associated with each target region; (a-3) determining a set of target regions and respective characteristics associated with each identified target region based on the detected user input; and (a-4) providing the data determined in step (a-3) to a coating device and / or displaying the data determined in step (a-3) in a user interface. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0149] 5. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein step (a) includes providing a user interface containing an object, the object including at least two marked target areas and instructions for a set of properties associated with the marked target areas.

[0150] 6. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein step (a) includes visually determining at least two target regions and a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, and wherein at least two target regions have different sets of characteristics.

[0151] 7. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) is a liquid solvent-based or water-based coating composition, preferably a liquid solvent-based coating composition.

[0152] 8. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n 5. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the film is transparent, translucent or opaque, in particular transparent.

[0153] 9. At least one provided coating composition C i However, the coating layer CL has high stone chip resistance. i and at least one further provided coating composition C n-i However, the coating layer CL has high chemical resistance. n-i and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C i However, the coating layer CL has high scratch resistance. i and at least one further provided coating composition C n-i but the coating layer CL has a lower scratch resistance n-i and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C i However, the coating layer CL has high light resistance. iand at least one further provided coating composition C n-i However, the coating layer CL has a lower light resistance. n-i 3. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments,

[0154] 10. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one binder is the same as at least one binder present in the other provided coating compositions, or each provided coating composition includes at least one binder that is different from the binder(s) present in the other provided coating compositions.

[0155] 11. The process according to embodiment 10, wherein the at least one binder is selected from (i) poly(meth)acrylates, more particularly hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional poly(meth)acrylates, (ii) polyurethanes, more particularly hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional polyurethanes, (iii) polyesters, more particularly polyester polyols, (iv) polyethers, more particularly polyether polyols, (v) copolymers of the above polymers, and (vi) mixtures thereof, in particular from hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and / or polyesters.

[0156] 12. The process according to embodiment 11, wherein the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic and / or cycloaliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4.

[0157] 13. The process according to embodiment 12, wherein the at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1 is selected from (meth)acrylic acid.

[0158] 14. At least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22 From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14 Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 The process according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the alkyl (meth)acrylate is selected from alkyl (meth)acrylates, very preferably from butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid esters 13.0.

[0159] 15. The process according to any one of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic monomer M2 is selected from cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates, preferably from cyclo-C5-C7-alkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular from cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate.

[0160] 16. The process according to any one of embodiments 12 to 15, wherein the at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 is selected from styrene.

[0161] 17. At least one unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomer M4 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, more preferably hydroxy C1-C 12 The process according to any one of embodiments 12 to 16, wherein the alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylate is selected from 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyisopropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyisobutyl (meth)acrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, and very preferably from 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

[0162] 18. At least one binder is present in each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) in each case provided coating composition C i 18. The process according to any one of embodiments 10 to 17, wherein the cations are present in a total amount of 10 to 70%, preferably 20 to 65%, more preferably 30 to 60%, and very preferably 40 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the cations.

[0163] 19. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) comprises at least one crosslinking agent, said at least one crosslinking agent being identical to at least one crosslinking agent present in the other provided coating compositions, or each provided coating composition (C1, ..., C n The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the crosslinking agent (s) present in the coating composition (1) is different from the crosslinking agent (s) present in the other provided coating compositions.

[0164] 20. At least one crosslinking agent is present in the coating composition C i 20. The method according to embodiment 19, wherein said compound is capable of reacting with a functional group of at least one compound present in said compound.

[0165] 21. The process according to embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the at least one crosslinker comprises an aminoplast resin and / or a polyisocyanate, preferably an aminoplast resin and an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, very preferably an aminoplast resin and hexamethylene diisocyanate and / or dimerized and / or trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanate.

[0166] 22. At least one coating composition C provided in step (b) i The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one sag control agent (SCA), in particular at least one polymeric sag control agent.

[0167] 23. The process according to embodiment 22, wherein the polymeric sag control agent (SCA) is obtainable by reacting a primary or secondary amine, in particular a benzylamine, with an isocyanate compound, in particular a polyisocyanate, in the presence of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate.

[0168] 24. The process according to embodiment 23, wherein the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4.

[0169] 25. The polymer sag control agent has an average molecular weight M of 3,000 to 50,000 g / mol, preferably 4,000 to 30,000 g / mol, and very preferably 5,000 to 15,000 g / mol, as determined by GPC using polystyrene as an internal standard. w 25. The method according to any one of embodiments 22 to 24, comprising:

[0170] 26. The method according to any one of embodiments 22 to 25, wherein a sag control agent (SCA) is present in the coating composition where greater sag resistance is required.

[0171] 27. A sag control agent (SCA), in particular a polymeric sag control agent, is in each case present in the respective coating composition C i 27. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 26, wherein the cations are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 40%, preferably 2 to 30%, more preferably 3 to 20%, and very preferably 4 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the cations.

[0172] 28. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one provided coating composition further comprises at least one additive different from a sag control agent (SCA).

[0173] 29. The process according to embodiment 28, wherein the at least one additive different from the sag control additive is selected from light stabilizers, leveling agents, UV absorbers, pigments, free radical scavengers, slip additives, polymerization inhibitors, defoamers, wetting agents, adhesion promoters, flow control agents, film-forming aids, such as cellulose derivatives, fillers, rheology control additives, flame retardants and / or moisture scavengers, in particular light stabilizers and leveling agents.

[0174] 30. The method according to embodiment 29, wherein the leveling agent is selected from silicon-containing leveling agents.

[0175] 31. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) to produce a resulting coating layer (C1, ..., C2) that matches the set of properties identified in step (a). n ) The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein only the amount and / or type of material component(s) required to achieve the respective properties is different.

[0176] 32. Step (b) includes: (b-1) At least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (b-2) Component A provided in step (b-1) i Select at least a portion of the mixing ratio(s) to produce a coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties identified in step (a). i obtaining (b-3) optionally, selecting the mixing ratio(s) of at least one hardener component B provided in step (b-1); and (b-4) Component A i , optionally with at least one hardener component B in the mixing ratio(s) selected in steps (b-2) and optionally (b-3) to produce a coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties identified in step (a). i Coating composition C resulting in i A process for providing 3. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising:

[0177] 33. Step (b-2) is a coating layer CL i and selecting the mixing ratio of at least some of the components provided in step (b-1) to obtain the coating layer CL i 33. The method according to embodiment 32, comprising matching the characteristics of the set of characteristics identified in step (a).

[0178] 34. The mixing ratio selected in step (b-2) and optional step (b-3) is a volume ratio, and / or component A i and the at least one hardener component B in a volume:volume mix ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1, selected in step (b-3).

[0179] 35. In step (b), at least two coating material components are mixed to form a coating layer (C) obtained from each coating composition. i ) i=1、…、n each having properties corresponding to the set of distinct properties identified in step (a), thereby obtaining at least two distinct compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n 32. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising preparing

[0180] 36. The coating material components include: - Base component BC i , and - at least one hardener component B 36. The method according to embodiment 35, comprising:

[0181] 37. Using a volume:volume mix ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1, base component BC i and at least one hardener component B.

[0182] 38. Ingredient A i and optionally hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio, the resulting coating composition C i and / or at least one base component BC i and at least one hardener component B, the resulting coating composition C i The method according to any one of embodiments 32 to 36, wherein the coating material is supplied to the coating device.

[0183] 39. Each coating composition C i But, component A i and optionally a hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio in an application device, and / or by mixing at least one base component BC i with at least one hardener component B in an application device.

[0184] 40. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein step (c) is carried out using a spray application device.

[0185] 41. Each of the provided coating compositions (C1, ..., C n ) is applied onto every target area having the same set of properties.

[0186] 42. The method according to any one of the previous embodiments, further comprising a step (d) of curing, or drying and curing, the applied coating composition(s).

[0187] 43. Use of a method according to any one of the preceding embodiments to prepare a coated object comprising target areas where coating layers having different properties are desired.

[0188] 44. A system for applying at least two coating compositions to a given object utilizing an application device, the coating compositions resulting in a coating layer having tunable properties, the given object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different sets of properties, the system comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the application device and comprising at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B, i , or A i and each mixture of B and B comprises a coating layer CL having properties matching a set of properties of a target region(s). i or coating layer (CL i ) i=1、…、n At least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n Each coating layer CL i at least two reservoirs having properties matching a set of properties of the target region(s); Including, The application device is ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally a hardener component B from a reservoir, i ) i=1、…、n optionally with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n and discharging the coating liquid through a nozzle onto a target area or areas having a matching set of characteristics based on a coating command to form at least two coating layers. or The applicator is ○ at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from the reservoir; and Coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n and discharging the coating liquid through a nozzle onto at least two target areas having a set of matching characteristics based on a coating command to form at least two coating layers. The system is configured as follows.

[0189] 45. One or more data processors may further: - receiving, by one or more data processors, target image data of the object, the target image data including different target regions; - generating application instructions based on the received image data; The system of claim 44, configured to generate application instructions by:

[0190] Description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 to be coated with a coating material. In this example, the coating material is a clear coat material. In another example, the coating material is a primer coating material, a primer surfacer coating material, a filler coating material, or a base coat material. The vehicle 100 contains a target area 102 located on the top of the vehicle and a target area 104 located on the side of the vehicle. Using the method of the present invention, a coating layer having high hardness and chemical resistance (i.e. low flexibility) is produced in the target area 102 located on the top of the vehicle, while a coating layer having high flexibility and stone chipping resistance (i.e. high hardness) is produced in the target area 104 located on the side of the vehicle. For this purpose, a coating material that results in a coating layer with high flexibility, for example by containing a suitable amount of flexible polyester resin, is applied on the target area 104, while a coating material that results in a coating layer with high hardness, for example by containing a low or no content of flexible polyester resin, is applied on the target area 102. The coating material applied onto the target area 102 may be, for example, Component A, which contains a large amount of flexible polyester. i , and component A not containing flexible polyester i+1 The coating material which results in a coating layer with a lower flexibility is then mixed with component A in a suitable mixing ratio. i , A i+1 can be obtained by mixing EXAMPLES

[0191] The present invention will now be described in more detail using examples, but the present invention is by no means limited to these examples. Furthermore, the terms "parts", "%" and "ratio" in the examples represent "parts by mass", "% by mass" and "ratio by mass", respectively, unless otherwise specified.

[0192] A) Measurement method 1. Solids content (solids, non-volatile fraction) Unless otherwise indicated, the solids content (hereinafter also referred to as solid fraction) was determined according to DIN EN ISO 3251:2008-06 at 130° C. and 60 min with a starting mass of 1.0 g.

[0193] 2. Measurement of chemical resistance (gradient oven method) To measure chemical resistance, multicoat paint systems were prepared according to the following general protocol: Steel panels (10 x 50 cm) coated with a cured cathodic electrocoat paint (Cathoguard® 800 from BASF Coatings GmbH) and a cured commercial water-based basecoat material (ColorBrite from BASF Coatings GmbH) were electrostatically coated with a single coat of the respective clearcoat composition at a target film thickness (dry material film thickness) of 40 μm ± 5 μm. After a 10 minute flash time at room temperature (25°C), the resulting clearcoat films were cured in a forced air oven at 125°C for 20 minutes or at 160°C for 30 minutes.

[0194] The chemical resistance was measured by the conventional and known gradient oven test. For this purpose, sulfuric acid solution (1% by weight), pancreatin, tree resin and sodium hydroxide solution (1% by weight) were applied to the surface of each multi-coat paint system. The test panels were placed in a preheated gradient oven for 30 minutes. After heating, the test panels were rinsed with water and cleaning gasoline and in each case the temperature reached before visible signs of damage appeared on the paint surface was measured.

[0195] 3. Hardness measurement The microindentation hardness was determined according to DIN EN ISO 14577-4 on a multicoat paint system prepared as described in relation to point 2., with the following deviations: The obtained clear coating film was cured in a forced air oven at 140° C. for 20 minutes.

[0196] 4. Stone chip resistance measurement To measure stone chip resistance, multi-coat paint systems were prepared according to the following general protocol: Steel panels (10 x 20 cm) coated with a cured cathodic electrocoat paint (Cathoguard® 800 from BASF Coatings GmbH) and a cured commercial water-based basecoat material (ColorBrite from BASF Coatings GmbH) were electrostatically coated with a single coat of the respective clearcoat composition at a target film thickness (dry material film thickness) of 40 μm ± 5 μm. After a 10 minute flash period at room temperature (25°C), the resulting clearcoat films were cured at 160°C for 30 minutes in a forced air oven.

[0197] The resulting multicoat paint system was tested for stone chip resistance. This was done using the stone chip test of DIN 55966-1:2001-04. The stone chip test results were evaluated according to DIN EN ISO 20567-1:2017-07. The lower the value, the better the stone chip resistance.

[0198] B) Preparation of Various Clearcoat Coating Compositions 1. Base component BC i Preparation of Each base component BC1 and BC2 was prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 1. Base component BC1 contained a low amount of flexible polyester resin, while base component BC2 contained a higher amount of flexible polyester resin.

[0199] [Table 1]

[0200] 1) The hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylic resin contained the following monomers: styrene, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate and acrylic acid, solids content=56%, 2)Prepared according to the procedure described in "Herstellung eines erfindungsgemaessen SCA Harzes" on page 18, lines 5 to 26 of WO2008148555A1, 3) OH content 4.4%, based on solids, solids content 71-73%, acid value 6.5-9.8, 23°C and 100s -1 Saturated polyester with a viscosity of 4.0 to 5.8 Pas (provided by Allnex) 4) n-Butylated high iminomelamine crosslinker, solids content = 68-72% (provided by Allnex); 5) Highly methylated monomeric melamine crosslinker, solids content = ≥ 98% (provided by Allnex); 6) Hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole-based liquid UV absorber (provided by BASF Dispersions & Resins), 7) A liquid hindered amine light stabilizer (Tinuvin® 292) (provided by BASF Dispersions & Resins), 8) Polyether modified polymethylalkylsiloxane, solids content = 52% (provided by BYK-Chemie GmbH), 9) Polyester modified polymethylalkylsiloxane, solids content = 25% (provided by BYK-Chemie GmbH), 10) Acrylic polymer / polyvinyl ether, solids content = 77% (provided by Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0201] 2. Preparation of Hardener Component Hardener component B was prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 2:

[0202] [Table 2]

[0203] 1)Desmodur Ultra N3390BA / SN, solids content = 90% (provided by Covestro AG) 3. Preparation of Various Clearcoat Coating Compositions Clearcoat compositions CC1 and CC2 were prepared by mixing the respective base components BC1 or BC2 with the hardener component B in the mix ratios shown in Table 3.

[0204] [Table 3]

[0205] C) Preparation of coated objects Test panels for evaluating chemical resistance, hardness and stone chip resistance were prepared as described above in point A).

[0206] D) result 1. Chemical resistance The chemical resistance of multicoat system MC1 with clearcoat composition CC1 and multicoat system MC2 with clearcoat composition CC2 was measured as described above. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5. The top half of the tables lists only the differences in the material composition of clearcoats CC1 and CC2. Footnote 1) corresponds to footnote 1) in Table 1.

[0207] [Table 4]

[0208] [Table 5]

[0209] 2. Microindentation hardness The hardness of the multicoat system MC1 containing the clearcoat CC1 and the multicoat system MC2 containing the clearcoat composition CC2 was measured as described above. The results are shown in Table 6. The top half of the table lists only the differences in the material composition of the clearcoats CC1 and CC2. Footnote 1) corresponds to footnote 1) in Table 1.

[0210] [Table 6]

[0211] 3. Stone chip resistance The stone chip resistance of the multicoat system MC1 with the clear coat composition CC1 and the multicoat system MC2 with the clear coat composition CC2 was measured as described above. The results obtained are shown in Table 7. In the upper half of the table, only the differences regarding the material components of the clear coats CC1 and CC2 are described. Footnote 1) corresponds to footnote 1) in Table 1. Furthermore, the term "unrepaired" refers to the multicoat paint system prepared according to point 4., whereas the term "repaired" refers to the multicoat paint system prepared according to point 4., which was repaired as described in the table before carrying out the stone chipping test.

[0212] [Table 7]

[0213] E) Discussion of Results The coating layer prepared from the coating composition containing a lower amount of flexible polyester (CC1) had better chemical resistance. The coating layer also contained higher hardness. However, the coating layer had a lower stone chip resistance than the more flexible coating layer prepared from the coating composition containing a higher amount of flexible polyester resin (CC2) (see Table 7). However, the latter coating layer contained lower chemical resistance due to its higher flexibility.

[0214] The results indicate that by producing coating layers with tunable properties, it is possible to avoid balancing opposing properties such as flexibility and hardness, but instead coat each target area with a coating layer having properties optimized for that respective set of properties to achieve higher overall mechanical and / or chemical properties.

Claims

1. 1. A method for preparing an object comprising a plurality of target areas and coated with at least two coating layers having tunable properties, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different sets of properties, comprising the steps of: (a) identifying at least two target regions and identifying a set of characteristics associated with each identified target region, wherein the at least two target regions have different sets of characteristics; (b) at least two different coating compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ providing each coating composition (C １ , …, C ｎ ) is a coating layer (CL) having properties corresponding to the set of distinct properties identified in step (a). １ , …, C.L. ｎ ) and (c) each of the coating compositions (C) provided in step (b) １ , …, C ｎ ) to the target area(s) associated with the matching set of characteristics. The method includes:

2. Each of the provided coating compositions (C １ , …, C ｎ 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the coating composition is a liquid solvent-based or water-based coating composition, preferably a liquid solvent-based coating composition.

3. At least one coating composition C is provided ｉ However, the coating layer CL has high stone chip resistance. ｉ and at least one further provided coating composition C ｎ－ｉ However, the coating layer CL has high chemical resistance. ｎ－ｉ and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C ｉ However, the coating layer CL has high scratch resistance. ｉ and at least one further provided coating composition C ｎ－ｉ but the coating layer CL has a lower scratch resistance ｎ－ｉ and / or at least one of the provided coating compositions C ｉ However, the coating layer CL has high light resistance. ｉ and at least one further provided coating composition C ｎ－ｉ but the coating layer CL has a lower light resistance ｎ－ｉ The method of claim 1 or 2, which results in

4. Each of the provided coating compositions (C １ , …, C ｎ 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein each provided coating composition comprises at least one binder, the at least one binder being the same as at least one binder present in the other provided coating compositions, or wherein each provided coating composition comprises at least one binder that is different from the binder present in the other provided coating compositions.

5. Each of the provided coating compositions (C １ , …, C ｎ ) to produce a resulting coating layer (C ) that matches the set of properties identified in step (a). １ , …, C ｎ 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein only the amounts and / or types of material components required to achieve the respective properties are different.

6. In step (b), (b-1) At least two components (A) having different properties ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (b-2) Component A provided in step (b-1) ｉ Select at least a portion of the mixing ratio of the coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties identified in step (a). ｉ obtaining (b-3) optionally, selecting the mixing ratio of at least one hardener component B provided in step (b-1); and (b-4) Component A ｉ Optionally, with at least one hardener component B in the selected mixing ratio(s) in steps (b-2) and optionally (b-3) to produce a coating layer CL having properties consistent with the set of properties identified in step (a). ｉ Coating composition C resulting in ｉ A process for providing The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

7. Step (b-2) is a coating layer CL ｉ and selecting the mixing ratio of at least some of the components provided in step (b-1) to obtain the coating layer CL ｉ to the set of characteristics identified in step (a).

8. In step (b), at least two coating material components are mixed to form a coating layer (C 1 ) obtained from each coating composition. ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and (c) each having properties corresponding to the set of distinct properties identified in step (a), thereby obtaining at least two distinct compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising preparing

9. The coating material components include - Base component BC ｉ , and at least one hardener component B The method of claim 8, comprising:

10. Component A ｉ and optionally a hardener component B in a selected mixing ratio, and the resulting coating composition C ｉ and / or at least one base component BC ｉ and at least one hardener component B, the resulting coating composition C ｉ The method of claim 6, further comprising supplying to the coating device.

11. Each coating composition C ｉ But, component A ｉ and optionally a hardener component B in a selected mixing ratio in an application device, and / or by mixing at least one base component B ｉ 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the curing agent is obtained by mixing the curing agent component B with at least one hardener component B in an application device.

12. Each of the provided coating compositions (C １ , …, C ｎ 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second target areas are coated with the same set of properties.

13. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of curing, or drying and curing, the applied coating composition.

14. 3. Use of the method according to claim 1 or 2 for coating target areas of a substrate having different orientations.

15. 1. A system for applying at least two coating compositions to a given object utilizing an application device to provide a coating layer having tunable properties, the given object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having a different set of properties; The system comprises: - an application device comprising a nozzle, a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute said application instructions and optionally said mix ratio instructions to control said application device; and - in fluid communication with said application device and comprising at least two components (A ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally at least one hardener component B, ｉ , or A ｉ and each mixture of B and B has a coating layer CL having properties matching the set of properties of the target area. ｉ or a coating layer (CL ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ At least two coating compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ Each coating layer CL ｉ at least two reservoirs having properties matching a set of properties of the target region; Including, The application device comprises: Component (A ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally receiving a hardener component B from said reservoir; ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ optionally with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and discharging the coating agent through a nozzle onto a target area having a set of matching characteristics based on the coating command to form at least two coating layers. or The applicator is At least two coating compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ from the reservoir; and Coating composition (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and discharging the coating agent through a nozzle onto at least two target areas having a set of matching characteristics based on the coating command to form at least two coating layers. The system is configured as follows.

Images