Coating composition

Abstract

A coating composition is disclosed that is intended for application to the interior surface of a can and is free of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and comprises a phenoxy group-containing or amino group-containing resin, a nonaqueous carrier and a polyester resin formed from (a) isophthalic acid, (b) naphthalene dicarboxylic acid or an ester thereof, (c) trimellitic anhydride or trimethylpropane and (d) neopentyl glycol.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001] This invention relates generally to a coating composition and more particularly concerns a coating composition for the interior surface of a can.[0002] It is well known that an aqueous solution in contact with an untreated metal substrate can result in corrosion of the untreated metal substrate. Therefore, a metal article, such as a metal closure or container for a water-based product, like a food or beverage, is rendered corrosion resistant in order to retard or eliminate interactions between the water-based product and the metal article. Generally, corrosion resistance can be imparted to the metal article, or to a metal substrate in general by coating the metal substrate with a corrosion-inhibiting coating.[0003] Coating compositions for the inside of beer, beverage and food cans must be approved for direct food contact. The fundamental function of the inside coatings on cans and ends is to protect the packed product to maintain its nutritional value, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The polyester has a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 50,000, and preferably about 1,000 to about 10,000. To achieve the full advantage of the present invention, the polyester has a molecular weight of about 1,500 to about 6,000. The polyester is prepared by methods well known in the art. The esterification reaction is preferably carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures of between 180.degree. C. and 260.degree. C. Catalysts such as dibutyltin oxide, tin-chloride or tetrabutoxy titanate, and antioxidants such as triphenyl phosphite may be used as additives. The reaction water released during the reaction is removed by distillation. The desired degree of esterification is reached by means of azeotropic distillation or vacuum in the last phase. The reaction results in a polyester that can subsequently be dissolved or emulsified in water, an organic solvent or a mixture of solvents. Suitable solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons such as, for example, Solvesso 150.TM. (Esso), esters of glycol ethers, such as, for example, methoxypropyl acetate (Dowanol PMA) or glycol ethers, such as, for example ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (Dowanol EB). The solids content of the polyester can, for example, range between 45 and 80% and is preferably between 50 and 65%.

[0017] The polyester has to be crosslinked with a hardener or crosslinker such as, for example, an amino group containing resin, a phenoxy group containing resin, or a phenolic resin. The weight ratio polyester:hardener resin is generally between 95:5 and 60:40 (based on solid resin). A suitable catalyst for the curing reaction includes, for example, dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid, phosphoric acid, or partial esters of phosphoric acid.

[0018] The present coating composition is a nonaqueous composition, wherein the cross-linking agent resin and the polyester are homogeneously dispersed in a nonaqueous carrier. In general, the nonaqueous carrier has sufficient volatility to evaporate essentially entirely from the coating composition during the curing process, such as during heating at about 170.degree. C. to about 225.degree. C. for about 8 to about 20 minutes. Suitable nonaqueous carriers are known in the art of coating compositions, and include for example, but are not limited to, glycol ethers, like ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether; ketones, like cyclohexanone, ethyl aryl ketones, methyl aryl ketones and methyl isoamyl ketone; aromatic hydrocarbons, like toluene, benzene and xylene; aliphatic hydrocarbons, like mineral spirits, kerosene and high flash VM&P naphtha; alcohols, like isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol; and aprotic solvents, like tetrahydrofuran; chlorinated solvents; esters; glycol ether esters, like propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate; and combinations thereof.

[0019] The nonaqueous carrier usually is included in the composition in a sufficient amount to provide a composition including from about 20% too about 50%, by weight of the composition, of the total weight of the polyester component. The amount of nonaqueous carrier included in the composition is limited only by the desired, or necessary, rheological properties of the composition. Usually, a sufficient amount of nonaqueous carrier is included in the coating composition to provide a composition that can be processed easily and that can be applied to a metal substrate easily and uniformly, and that is sufficiently removed from the coating composition during curing within the desired cure time.

[0020] Therefore, essentially any nonaqueous carrier is useful in the present coating composition as long as the nonaqueous carrier adequately disperses and / or solubilizes the composition components; is inert with respect to interacting with composition components; does not adversely affect the stability of the coating composition or the ability of the corrosion-inhibiting coating to inhibit corrosion of a metal substrate; and evaporates quickly, essentially entirely and relatively rapidly to provide a cured coating composition that inhibits the corrosion of a metal substrate, demonstrates good adhesion and flexibility, and has good chemical and physical properties.

[0021] A coating composition of the present invention also can include other optional ingredients that do not adversely affect the coating composition or a cured coating composition resulting therefrom. Such optional ingredients are known in the art, and are included in a coating composition to enhance composition esthetics; to facilitate manufacturing, processing, handling and application of the composition; and to further improve a particular functional property of a coating composition or a cured coating composition resulting therefrom.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that an aqueous solution in contact with an untreated metal substrate can result in corrosion of the untreated metal substrate.

If the coating does not possess sufficient chemical resistance, components of the coating can be extracted into the packaged product and adversely affect the product.

Even small amounts of extracted coating components can adversely affect sensitive products by imparting an off-taste to the product.

However, the critical shortcoming of conventional polyester resins for use in coatings of the interior surfaces of cans is that their ester bonds are susceptible to hydrolysis, especially during the retort process after the food is canned.

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