Co-extruded pigmented/clear coated polymeric coating for an article such as automotive exterior body panels

Abstract

A colored coating for an article is provided including a first layer polymeric coating material with a transparent base which has been pigmented to a desired color and extruded, a second layer of transparent polymeric coating material which has been co-extruded with the first layer and a third layer of polymeric coating material co-extruded with the first layer opposite the second layer, the third layer being more opaque than the first layer. The invention, while having widespread application, is particularly suitable for use as a coating for an exterior surface of an automotive vehicle body panel.

1 . A colored coating for an article comprising: 
 a first layer of polymeric coating material with a transparent base which has been pigmented to a desired color before being extruded resulting in a semitransparent layer; and    a transparent second layer of polymeric coating material with a transparent base which is co-extruded with said first layer.    
   
   
       2 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 1 , having a third layer of polymeric coating material which is co-extruded with said first layer, said third layer being more opaque than said first layer.  
   
   
       3 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 2 , wherein said third layer has an opaque base.  
   
   
       4 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 2 , wherein said third layer has an off color from the color of said first layer.  
   
   
       5 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 2 , wherein said third layer has an on color from the color of said first layer.  
   
   
       6 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 2 , having an adhesive layer which is co-extruded with said third layer.  
   
   
       7 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 1 , wherein the transparent base of said first and second layers are ionomers.  
   
   
       8 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 1 , wherein the transparent base of the second layer has a clarity when cured of 3.0 haze number or lower.  
   
   
       9 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 8 , wherein the transparent base of the second layer has a scratch and mar performance that is substantially equal to or superior to the performance of a hard coat elastomeric paint.  
   
   
       10 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 8 , wherein the transparent base of the first and second layers is selected from the group of polymers consisting of acrylics, Polyvinylidene Fluorides, urethanes, polycarbonates, and ionomers.  
   
   
       11 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 1 , further including metallic flakes positioned within said extruded first layer of polymeric coating material.  
   
   
       12 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 11 , wherein said metallic flakes are concentrated toward an upper surface of said first layer by heating the first layer before co-extruding said first and second layers.  
   
   
       13 . A colored coating for an article as described in  claim 1 , wherein said second layer is tinted to modify the appearance of said first layer as seen through said second layer.  
   
   
       14 . A coating for an exterior surface of an automotive vehicle body panel comprising: 
 a first layer of ionomer polymeric coating material with a transparent base which has been pigmented to a desired color and extruded;    a second layer of transparent ionomer polymeric coating material with a transparent base which has been co-extruded with said first layer having a thickness less than that of said first layer;    a third layer of polymeric coating material co-extruded with said first layer opposite said second layer, said third layer being more opaque than said second layer.    
   
   
       15 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle part comprising: 
 a body structure substrate;    a color coating joined to said body structure, said coating including 
 a first layer of ionomer polymeric material with a transparent base which has been pigmented to a desired color and then having been extruded, and  
 a second layer of ionomer polymeric material with a transparent base which is co-extruded with said first layer.  
   
   
   
       16 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle body as described in  claim 15 , wherein said color coating additionally has a third layer of polymeric material which is more opaque than said first layer of polymeric material, said third layer of polymeric material being co-extruded with said first layer of polymeric material generally opposite said second layer of polymeric material.  
   
   
       17 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle body as described in  claim 16 , wherein said body structure substrate is fabricated from said polymeric material which has been injection molded adjacent to said coating adjacent said third layer.  
   
   
       18 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle body as described in  claim 15 , wherein said body structure substrate is a polymeric preform.  
   
   
       19 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle body as described in  claim 15 , wherein said body structure substrate is fabricated from said polymeric material which has been injection molded adjacent to said coating adjacent said first layer.  
   
   
       20 . An exterior body panel for an automotive vehicle body as described in  claim 15 , further including metallic flakes positioned within said extruded first layer of polymeric material.