Process for fluorimetric monitoring of functional coatings and compositions and fluorescent agents therefor

Claim 1

A composite structure comprising a substrate bearing a adherent layer of a coating composition comprising a polymer having chemically bound thereto an effective amount of at least one pendent uvaphore that absorbs radiant energy of wavelength λ 1 and emits radiant energy of λ 2 , λ 1 and λ 2 being wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths within the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the mean of the range of λ 2 is above the mean of the range of λ 1 in the electromagnetic spectrum, said uvaphore-bearing polymer having a product of molar extinction coefficient and quantum yield (εφ) with a value of at least 1,000, wherein said uvaphore is contained in a group having the formula ##STR16## wherein R is a group comprising at least one uvaphore and having a valence "a", the uvaphore being a polycyclic aromatic group and having two to four aromatic rings of which at least two are joined by a single bond or by fusion, the polycyclic aromatic compound absorbing radiant energy of wavelengths between 240 and 400 nm, emitting radiant energy below about 430 nm, no more than 30% of the emitted energy being above 400 nm, and having an (εφ) product of at least 1000, R 2 is an alkylene or alkenylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Y is a carbon-to-carbon single bond or a divalent connecting group selected from the group consisting of a carbonyloxy group, ##STR17## a urethane group, ##STR18## a 3-oxy-2-hydroxypropoxy group, --OCH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 O--; and a silylethyl group; a is an integer having a value one; and b is one.