Paint formulation and drying conditions have a strong influence on the final performances of the coating, yet there are few measurable variables between the formulation stage to the final film performance. The fast drying of thin films of paint, such as those used in automotive coatings, results in higher potential for fluid instabilities that often lead to defect formation in the final coating. The rheological properties of paint prior to and during drying is key in understanding the transition from a fluid coating to a solid film and is necessary for defining the connection between formulation and drying conditions, defect formation, and consequently the final paint performance. Two recently studies will be highlighted to demonstrate the power of optical characterization within these films as they dry. In the first study, tracking the Brownian diffusion of tracer particles in the fluid is used to characterize the properties of coating formulations in both quiescent liquids and during drying.

This technique, known as microrheology, is especially challenging when the evaporative flux causes partitioning and strong Marangoni stresses that result in internal convection. These fundamental investigations reveal the time-evolved rheological properties of a drying film. In the second study, particles such as pigments within the formulation themselves contribute to the evolving rheology and final microstructure of the dried film. Their rheological contribution changes drastically when the particles whether they are repulsive and stable or attractive and form aggregates within the solution. We use high speed laser scanning confocal microscopy to determine the particle positions with nanoscale precision that gives simulation-like detail of the microstructure evolution. A clear difference in microstructure evolution between the drying of stable vs. aggregated suspensions is apparent, leading to different properties of the final dried film.

The coating industry is increasingly aware of the need to protect the environment and is constantly striving to ensure the safety of the industry and the health of consumers, which demands environmentally friendly coatings. Different from conventional polyurethanes, non- isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) is the polyurethane produced from the isocyanate-free route. In addition, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is in demand in the market coming from the pressure on reducing the usage of volatile organic components in coatings.

Combining the features of NIPU and WPU, waterborne non-isocyanate polyurethane has been developed and studied. This presentation will introduce 2K and 1K waterborne NIPU epoxy hybrid coatings that are recently developed at Dr. Zhou’s group at The University of Akron.

The 2K waterborne NIPU epoxy hybrid coatings were prepared from waterborne amine- terminated NIPU and waterborne epoxy chain extender. The waterborne amine-terminated NIPU were derived from diglycerol decarbonate, 3,3’-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, and fatty acid diamine. The waterborne epoxy chain extender was synthesized from diethanolamine and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether. The 1K waterborne epoxy hybrid coatings were synthesized from 3, 3’-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, fatty acid diamine, cyclic carbonate, and two epoxy resins including bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether.

Different formulations of the waterborne NIPU epoxy hybrid coatings were designed including different ratios of soft and hard segments, different urethane contents, and different functionalities and structures of the hybridized epoxy. The coatings can achieve a broad range of thermal and mechanical properties and exhibit excellent general coating properties in hardness, adhesion, and chemical resistance, which reveal similar performance with the conventional isocyanate-based waterborne polyurethanes.

For last few decades industry is looking for new oleochemical materials as an alternative to crude oil-based counterparts. Since the early 90s renewable raw materials, most commonly vegetable oils, became increasingly attractive for making oleo-based materials, particularly biobased polymers.

At North Dakota State University, one-step method that converts fatty acid esters of plant/vegetable oils into plant oil-based acrylic monomers (POBMs) for free radical polymerization was recently developed. Currently exemplified for more than ten oils (including soybean, linseed, corn, sunflower, canola, high linoleic soybean oil, high oleic soybean oil, camelina, olive oil etc.) POBMs can be applied in the production of latexes that utilize acrylic counterparts and other polymers. POBMs offer unique functionality due to nature of double bonds, which allows “on-demand’ cross-linking.

POBMs fragments provide internal plasticization, hydrophobization, balance thermomechanical properties to allow polymeric materials with essentially different viscoelastic behavior, also enhance polymer adhesion and biodegradability of polymeric materials. Depending on the plant oil(s) (chemical structure, fatty acids composition) used, properties can be tailored based on behavior of the fatty acid side chains, and their amount of unsaturation.

It is expected that plant oil-based polymer emulsions can broaden an opportunity to substitute synthetic petroleum-based polymers in materials, and enhance materials performance without additional costs. Based on the obtained results, up to 70 wt% of POBM can be incorporated into copolymerization with commodity petroleum-based counterparts, while maintaining a required high level of latex performance.

Synthesis of highly renewable latexes based entirely on biobased comonomers including POBMs has been already demonstrated as well. POBMs performance opens wide opportunities in tailoring commercially valuable products Their potential for use in coatings, adhesives, bioplastics, personal care products is being investigated.    

A challenge of broad interest both academically and industrially is the small length scale characterization of coatings, their interfaces with air, and their interfaces with underlying substrates. The presentation will briefly introduce a few examples of what can be achieved with innovative X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. Both X-rays and neutrons can penetrate inside coatings and reach the buried interface with the substrate.

In one example, the uniformity with depth of structure and crosslinking density in plasma polymerized coatings are quantified using neutron reflectometry. The measurements show that the structures of films at the air and substrate interfaces are different than the structure in the middle of the coating, with the interfacial structures having lower crosslink density. A second example demonstrates the ability of both X-ray reflectometry and X-ray off-specular scattering to provide information on how water penetrates through a coating.

A third example considers X-ray scattering measurements that follow how the interface between metal and an epoxy coating change with exposure to salt solution during early stages of corrosion before any degradation is evident from outside the coating.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently funded the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB2) for a Phase II Industry University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC). The Center has four sites, North Dakota State University (the lead site), University of Georgia, Iowa State University, and Washington State University.

All sites receive some funding from NSF; however, the research is solely driven and funded by the approximately 30 member companies including, among others, Sherwin-Williams, BASF, 3M, AkzoNobel, Amazon, Ford Motor Company, Hexion, Evonik, Hyundai, Kimberly-Clark, and John Deere. These companies develop and select project concepts, as well as guide the research at the four sites.

While Center projects cover the broad areas of bioplastics and Biocomposites, the Center has funded projects focused on aspects of sustainable coatings since its launch in 2015. Projects have included work on developing novel tools for life-cycle assessment of bio-based coatings and their raw materials and novel plant-oil based latexes. Other projects have focused on transparent waterborne coatings, zero-VOC powder coatings, new bio-based monomers for durable coatings and the use of chitin nano fibers for coating enhancement.

Shark Solutions has partnered with ChemQuest Technology Institute (CQTI) to perform a blind study in order to evaluate interior architectural wall paint formulations with binder systems composed of or containing recycled polyvinyl butyral (PVB).  PVB is recycled from laminated glass from windshields and building glass and upcycled into Water Borne dispersions offering superior properties based on their chemistry. Dispersions from recycled PVB also allow for low (down to <1 g/L) VOC paint formulations that do not need to rely on coalescing agents.  Testing covered for 8 samples: Rheology stability, pH, wet scrub-resistance, color properties, wet and dry opacity, adhesion to wallboard, dry time, gloss, hardness, minimum film formation temperature, blocking and stain resistance.  These PVB based dispersions are shown to perform competitively against a control as well as 2 commercially available off-the-shelf paints using binders composed of Styrene Acrylic and pure Acrylic chemistries. 

Produced from agricultural waste, derivatives of levulinic acid such as butyl levulinate, ethylhexyl levulinate, and isoamyl levulinate can be used as sustainable alternatives to materials such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether for water-based emulsions. Their limited water solubility assists in demonstrating a high level of effectiveness in lowering the MFFT as well as frequently enhancing properties of the film, notably the hardness. In many resin systems this technology improves the overall coalescing efficiency to the extent that reduced loadings can be used to achieve equivalent performance. The demonstrated performance, along with the resultant lower use level, address industry needs to reach targeted cost-performance criteria with sustainable chemistry. Levulinates have an excellent health, safety, and environmental profile and contain up to 100% bio-based carbon, facilitating replacement of traditional petrochemical coalescing agents. This paper will provide a detailed discussion of the technology, application case studies, and environmental impacts.

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic natural polymer in the world, with the potential to replace petrochemicals in polymeric resin formulations. Lignin is currently produced/isolated from wood and agricultural residues (as a byproduct) during chemical pulping and lignocellulosic ethanol productions. The complex polyphenolic structure of lignin makes it a great candidate to substitute fossil-fuel-based raw materials in resins. This talk is focused on our recent results in replacing 100% of phenol in phenolic resins, 85-100% of polyol in polyurethane resins (both in solvent-based and water-based formulations), and 100% of bisphenol-A in epoxy resins using unmodified lignins. Depending on the biomass source and isolation method, the properties of lignin vary significantly. We characterized a wide range of technical lignins and chose the most suitable ones for each specific application. The performances of developed lignin-based resins (phenolic, PU, and epoxy) were measured and compared with commercially available resins in the market.  

In becoming responsible corporate citizens, industries are retooling how products impact the environment. The first iteration of this restructuring was “going green,” which often was simply making more environmentally friendly decisions. “Green” philanthropic programs have morphed into “sustainable” business models, evolving from an option into a commitment. With this in mind, the U. S. Department of Agriculture created the BioPreferred® Program, designed to reduce reliance on petroleum, and increase use of renewable materials. Manufacturers with aggressive sustainability goals are now seeking solutions to meet the BioPreferred® Program’s standards. To address this need, Arkema developed a 97%+ bio-content polymer. This presentation will discuss developing high performance, high bio-content coatings, utilizing this novel technology. This technology is straightforward to use and, when compared to other approaches, offers a quick path to market. Blending with a sustainably-sourced, high bio-content alkyd is a viable way to introduce bio-content, while maintaining performance.

Market development in Non-Isocyanate (“NISO”) coatings has increased over the past few years due to the health and safety concerns associated with isocyanates. Use of isocyanates in spray coatings can cause allergic skin reactions and irritation of the respiratory system in workers, and the risks need to be mitigated by using expensive personal protection equipment and training. Challenges persist, though, in meeting required performance standards in a variety of applications. Nagase Specialty Materials NA LLC set out to develop preliminary formulations using a specific subset of the Denacol™ aliphatic epoxy product line as ambient crosslinking agents in NISO coatings used in outdoor applications which require a high degree of weather resistance. Panels made using these preliminary formulations were then put through a battery of optical, physical, and chemical tests. Suitability of formulations to specific market applications based on results and possible areas of improvement to the preliminary formulations were reviewed.

The characterization of the microscopic dynamics of coatings materials and polymer films is a very important step in every new development or quality control. We use a dynamic light scattering technique (Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy) to investigate the microstructure evolution (evaporation, packing, coalescence…) of a large panoply of materials between RT-250°C and with humidity control. This technology allows to detect the characteristic steps (Curing/drying time, phase transition…) with a very handy sampling protocol on any substrate and a very high sensitivity. We offer a new in-situ, non-invasive and handy method to better understand your different materials, allowing to:
-  Monitor and know precisely the curing and drying kinetics
-  Determine the characteristic times of the film forming process
-  Analyse from room temperature up to 250°C with humidity control
-  Evaluate the impact of the formulation and time and temperature parameters on the formation of materials
-  Optimize the manufacturing protocol chemistries. 

One of the multifunctional surfactants used for the physical and chemical characteristics improvement of polymer films, papers, and cosmetics is surfactant cation copolymer containing hydroxyethylcellulose and dimethydiallyl-amonium chloride (Polyquaternium-4; PQ4). However, the concentration of the salts on the film is very low and it has become a challenge for scientists to develop a practical and rapid method for the determination of the coating. In this study, the Pyrolysis-GC/MS is used for such analysis. The method requires very little sample preparation. The multi-mode micro-furnace pyrolyzer with different modes of operations including evolve gas analysis (EGA), flash pyrolysis, thermal desorption, heart cutting allows users to choose among the techniques for their analysis purposes. The first step is to perform an EGA using temperature programs. Based on EGA thermogram, Heart cutting is then utilized for the trace determination of PQ4 surfactant on the film. The result obtained proves the reproducibility of the technique.

Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane (NIPU) coatings are increasingly important due to their low toxicity and sustainable attributes. While several alternative routes for the synthesis of NIPU have been established, their successful exploitation in advanced water-based, UV-cure, or high-solid coating technologies requires customization of their polymer structure, morphology, and crosslinking functionalities. Building on our previous work on NIPUs derived from cyclic carbonate/amine route, this presentation will discuss how NIPUs are selectively functionalized for UV-curable (-acrylate), moisture-curable (-silane), and ambient temperature curable (-acetoacetate – click-chemistry) coating systems. By optimizing chemical structures and functionalities of NIPU and incorporating dual-cure mechanisms, coatings with an outstanding balance of application and performance properties have been achieved. Such coatings have the potential to replace conventional PU coatings for many end-use industrial applications.

TiO2 pigments are known to have several effects on paint durability.  As a strong UV light absorber, TiO2 protects underlying resin from direct interactions with the UV component of sunlight.  However, TiO2 can convert some of the UV light energy into chemical energy in the form of radicals, which can then attack the binder.  In addition to the inherent photoactivity of the TiO2 pigment, which can be partially modified through a surface coating, the degree of TiO2 dispersion can also affect paint durability.  While it would be very useful to the formulator to understand the relative importance of these two effects on paint durability, they are typically quite difficult to identify/separate.  Here we present a technique to make this separation and show how this information can be used to optimize paint durability.

Bisphenol-A based materials are getting phased-out in various applications including in metal packaging coatings. Simultaneously, steel packaging manufacturer, can makers, and coating formulators are wrestling with simultaneous challenge coming from shifting regulatory pressures driving substrate replacement towards Chromium-free passivation alternative (CFPA) to comply with legislative moves in various territories. Eastman Chemical is actively participating in the development of next generation polyester Bisphenol-A non-intent (BPA-NI) resins technology that can deliver improved resistance to food sterilization, long-term shelf stability, with balanced flexibility and toughness critical to withstanding aggressive canning process while adapting to this new challenge associated with substrate development. Here, we employ accelerated pack test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and fitness-for-use testing to understand and analyze suitability and performances of several BPA-NI solutions on conventional substrate and new CFPA substrate. This work will provide understanding of compatibility, benefits and limitations of various BPA-NI solutions.

A new reactable, liquid  non-basic  hindered amine light stabilizer has been developed, which can covalently react in with  isocyanate crosslinked coatings, thereby minimizing migration of the stabilizer during light exposure of cured coating. The new experimental HALS is designed to meet the high performance and durability requirements of  exterior solvent-based automotive and industrial coating applications where basic HALS fail or where compatibility with the coating matrix or migration into the substrate are problematic. For example, improved retention of the stabilizer, especially  in coatings over plastic substrates is beneficial as migration into the plastic substrate can lead to loss of durability  and weathering resistance.

In the future, coating thickness measurement in the industrial environment should be carried out with high speed and accuracy with the highest stability. Ideally, the test systems can also measure contact-free, non-destructively and in motion.
In this lecture, novel sensor concepts are presented that meet the requirements of comprehensive quality controls outlined above. The focus is on a RAIS (Redundant Array of Independent Sensors) sensor system in which a large number of miniaturized sensors work together as a single large whole. The failure of individual sensors has no effect. This pioneering solution offers significantly more comprehensive and therefore better measurement results: from the weight per unit area to wet and dry layer thickness to porosity. The sensor network also ensures that no data is lost and that the measuring station for the system is permanently available.

Autonomous driver assistance systems (ADAS) pose new challenges for paint formulation and thus also for paint and pigment manufacturers. From a technical point of view, automotive coatings should have high radar transmission and high LIDAR reflectance. In addition, in line with color trends, the vehicle should often have a metallic appearance (associated with a high flop index) and at the same time offer a wide range of color shades specified by the design.
In many cases, it is not possible to meet both requirements. This presentation shows how sensible compromises can be found in different color ranges through careful selection of effect pigments and formulations.

A novel Modified Acrylic resin has been developed that adheres to various plastic substrates including difficult to adhere thermoplastic olefin (TPO). This innovative resin eliminates the need for chlorinated polyolefin (CPO) ‘tie-coat’ or flame/corona treatment, thus removing a step in the coating process. By eliminating CPO, it also makes it possible to formulate coatings without the use of HAPs solvents such as xylene and toluene making it environmentally friendly.
In this paper we demonstrate superior adhesion of the resin to various plastics such as TPO, PVC, PC, ABS, PC-ABS, etc. We illustrate correlation between surface energies of various plastics and adhesion to various substrates. We also show how the crosslink density improves the chemical resistance of coatings. Due to balanced polarity, we validate that it has good compatibility with various types of resins which allows it to be used as a blending resin in paint formulations to achieve optimum adhesion.

Hydrophobically-modified, ethoxylate urethanes (HEURs) and latexes of well-defined composition were used to examine rheology and phase behavior of HEUR-latex mixtures.  Four HEURs synthesized with different-molecular weight polyethyleneglycols (PEG 35K, 20K, 12K, 8K), end-capped with octadecyl hydrophobes and two latexes (butylacrylate/styrene (BA/Sty) and butylacrylate/methyl methacrylate (BA/MMA), containing small amounts of methacrylic acid).  Polarity of HEURs decrease as the PEG molecular weight decreases and surface of the styrene containing latex is less polar than that containing methyl methacrylate. All latex-HEUR mixtures were stable at low HEUR levels, but underwent bridging flocculation above critical concentrations dependent on the polarity of HEUR and latex.  Further increase of HEUR levels revealed another critical concentration above which the mixtures were stable.  The BA/MMA-HEUR mixtures that underwent flocculation also showed syneresis whereas corresponding BA/Sty-HEUR mixtures did not show syneresis.  These and other trends in results will be discussed and mechanistic interpretations of the trends will be presented.

The replacement of conventional with reactive surfactants in emulsion polymerization is a promising strategy for improving the water resistance of water-based coatings.
In this work, the properties of a new reactive nonionic surfactant and the effect of surfactant content, initiator type and temperature on the incorporation of the reactive nonionic surfactant in styrene-acrylic latex will be explored.
Optimized formulations and process allowed to incorporate 60 to 80 % of the reactive nonionic surfactant in latex particles of 80 to 110 nm while using a reduced content of 2 php of the reactive nonionic surfactant.
Latexes polymerized with the reactive nonionic surfactant presented excellent mechanical stability and generated lower clot in the reactor when compared against latexes polymerized with conventional nonionic surfactants.
Semi-gloss paints formulated with latexes polymerized with the reactive nonionic surfactant presented up to 80 % higher wet scrub resistance than the paints formulated with a benchmark styrene-acrylic latex. 

Oxidatively cured resins such as alkyds and other unsaturated oils are traditionally cured using cobalt or other metal carboxylate catalysts.  While these metals do improve dry times over uncatalyzed systems, they often come with notable downsides such as toxicity, yellowing, and poor durability.  This work shows that advanced high-performance cobalt-free catalysts can improve almost all performance criteria of an alkyd-based coating, including corrosion resistance, resistance to UV degradation, abrasion, blocking, scrub resistance, and more.  To gain insight into possible mechanisms for these differences, the rate of surface cure vs. through cure was investigated by IR spectroscopy. Differences in the nature of the resulting crosslinks were also investigated by analytical techniques. The results highlight how significant the choice of catalyst is in determining the performance ceiling for an oxidatively cured coating.  

The emulsion polymerization process to generate vinyl-acrylic latexes can be complex and the replacement of APE-based surfactants for EHS-friendly solutions can be challenging. The higher polarity of the polymer decreases surfactant adsorption and can also decrease the water resistance of the final coating; hence, surfactant choice is crucial in the development of resilient formulations.
The effect of APE-free nonionic surfactants with different hydrophobes and APE-free anionic surfactants with different ethylene oxide content in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl-acrylic latex was investigated in terms of particle size, filterable solids and stability. The results were compared against vinyl-acrylic latexes synthesized with APE-based and APE-free surfactant benchmarks.
A 45% PVC paint was formulated and the vinyl-acrylic latex synthesized with the optimized APE-free surfactant ratio increased wet scrub resistance in 200% when compared against the APE-free benchmark surfactants and 230% increase when compared against the APE-free latex commercially available.

To extend application flexibility of exterior paint and improve water resistance of coating film, paint formulation with excellent early rain resistance has been an emerging need for exterior architectural coatings. However, formula possessing quick film forming, good film integrity and great hydrophobicity is a significant challenge. As the technology leader in coatings industry, Dow Coating Materials (DCM) is continuing to innovate and develop robust solutions, including both binders and additives, to address customer needs for early rain resistance. In this paper, we will share details of comprehensive studies with test method optimization, investigation of formulation impact and development of new acrylic binders to maximize early rain resistance. Our formulated solution delivers substantial improvement of early rain resistance compared to competitive binders and commercial paint products. In addition, it also provides excellent dirt pick up resistance and surfactant leaching resistance.

Improving coatings performance while increasing long-term sustainability is one of the coatings industry’s top priorities. To achieve this, the development of epoxy dispersions that significantly reduce, or eliminate, cosolvents from waterborne epoxy formulations has been a major research initiative over the years.
Innovative waterborne epoxy dispersions offer improved coatings performance in a variety of areas ranging from faster drying times to superior corrosion resistance. Comparisons of these epoxy resin dispersions to traditional epoxy technology demonstrate their capability to satisfy customer needs while offering greater formulating freedom.
Two novel epoxy dispersions were tested on various substrates such as smooth steel, blasted steel, and concrete in comparison with older epoxy technologies. In terms of corrosion resistance, these new dispersions are shown to have excellent performance, even when formulated to ultra-low VOC. Chemical resistance is maintained at such low solvent content, and other properties like gloss, dry times, and pot life remain excellent.  

2K epoxy systems are known for their excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical properties and hence are used in various applications, such as protective and flooring coatings. However, the UV resistance of such coating type is also known to be quite challenging since yellowing/darkening occurs quite rapidly when exposed to direct or indirect light.
To protect the coating against sunlight, UV filter and radical scavenger (HALS) additives are used. However, the standard light stabilizers used in 2K epoxy coatings are responsible for causing specific issues to paint formulators. Firstly, in regard to classification and labeling changes impacting low molecular weight HALS, and secondly because of the known recrystallization behavior of the conventional UV filter used in 2K epoxy coatings.
In our presentation, we will introduce Clariant’s latest additive solution that enables formulators to develop 2K epoxy coatings with improved weathering performance and without the drawbacks of the standard light stabilizer additives.

Coatings designed for heavy-duty applications in the Maintenance and Protective Coatings market are exposed to aggressive environments, such as aggressive chemical solvents, marine atmospheres, UV light, abrasion, and more. Due to these difficult environments, coating formulators are always looking for ways to enhance protective coating performance, especially that of improved adhesion, flexibility, and extended life of protection.
Huntsman Advanced Materials has introduced a unique polymer-based additive that boosts the performance of industrial protective coatings, such as zinc rich primer, in multiple properties. This paper will describe the thorough benefits of this polymer-based additive and how it improves the performance of zinc rich primer, specifically. A performance comparison with other current commercially available products will also be discussed, specifically comparing adhesion, dry time, hardness, impact resistance, and salt spray corrosion resistance.

An innovative waterborne coating system utilizing acrylic-epoxy hybrid technology has been developed to provide exterior metal protection in applications that require UV durability and corrosion resistance.  These materials can be formulated in direct-to-metal waterborne coatings with low levels of volatile organic compounds for use in transportation coatings, agricultural, construction, and earthmoving equipment coatings, and other applications that require a balance of exterior durability properties.  The epoxy coatings typically used in these applications exhibit poor UV durability and require a topcoat based on UV-resistant chemistries, such as polyurethane or acrylic coatings.  A better option is now available using AEH technology to formulate one coat DTM layers that provide improved UV durability with no chalking and significantly reduced yellowing versus epoxy coatings while also showing excellent corrosion resistance.  In addition to enabling a one coat DTM layer, AEH technology eliminates isocyanates and reduces VOC emissions from the typical two coat epoxy/polyurethane system.

Fast cure speed floor coatings that reduces downtime and improve productivity, that provides high-performance protection against contamination and wear, while maintaining longevity and good aesthetics remain the top priorities for the flooring industry.  However, in the past fast cure often comes with trade-offs in performance, such as durability, UV resistance, adhesion, working time, and emissions compliance.   Although, there are many technologies for concrete floor coatings, the choices become even more limited when fast cure speed is a critical attribute. This paper presents the new amine technologies that address the performance gaps in current floor coatings and meet the demand for rapid return to service with low emissions and good working time. Taking a system's approach, the synergy of high-performance epoxy primers in conjunction with aliphatic polyurea/polycarbamide topcoats delivers a unique combination of enhanced properties. Key performance attributes and comparison with two-pack polyurethane and typical epoxy systems will also be discussed.

The mounting pressure to reduce VOC emissions in industrial coating systems has led to increased demand and new developments of high-solid coatings within the cool roof market. These coatings allow for greater solar reflectance, keeping residential and commercial buildings from overheating. Organofunctional alkoxysilanes are widely used additives in industrial coatings as they form a bridge between organic coatings and inorganic substrates. While most alkoxysilane monomers liberate VOCs in the range of 450 – 600 g/L, new alkoxysilane oligomers offer even better adhesion properties for coatings while emitting lower VOCs (<350 g/L). This work will demonstrate the significant adhesion improvement to difficult roofing membranes such as EPDM, PVDF, and PVC and improved mechanical properties of high-solids silicone roof coatings with the addition of low-VOC silane oligomers. As the market for these coatings continues to grow, alkoxysilane additives will play an important role in achieving better performance and increasing their longevity.

The topcoat and primer used on the exterior of military and non-military assets are currently removed with harsh chemicals, abrasive materials, or thermal treatments. All of these methods generate hazardous waste, are labor intensive, and consuming both energy and resources.  Chemical stripping is one of the most effective methods of coating removal, although it remains hazardous to individuals and the environment.  Furthermore, these methods cannot selectively remove the topcoat from the underlying substrate (e.g. anti-corrosive epoxy primer, carbon fiber reinforced composite) without damaging the latter.  At NRL, we have develop novel silyl-containing polyurethane (Silyl-PU) topcoats that possess similar properties (e.g. thermal, mechanical, weatherability) as the polyurethane topcoats used on aircraft and ground vehicles.  In addition, we have demonstrated that these Silyl-PUs can be selectively degraded and removed from an underlying substrate using an environmentally friendly fluoride salt stripper and without damaging the chemical structure of the substrate.

This presentation will demonstrate the amphiphilic siloxane-glycidyl carbamate (AmpSiGC) coating that offered desirable performance for both marine fouling-release and anti-icing purposes. The durable AmpSiGC systems were composed of an underlying epoxy-functional polyurethane layer and an amphiphilic surface containing covalently-bonded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). This talk aims to highlight similarities of design parameters between marine and icephobic coatings, showing how the AmpSiGC coatings can be interchangeably used for various applications. This talk will discuss several aspects of the AmpSiGC coating systems including preparation and characterization of the resin, surface and mechanical evaluation of the coatings, and performance assessment in terms of fouling-release (against 4 representative marine organisms), anti-icing, and barrier resistance. Overall, the AmpSiGC systems exhibited promising marine, anti-icing, and barrier performance in comparison to internal and commercial controls.

With the advent of COVID-19, consumers are seeking layers of protection from germs.  In October 2021, PPG received EPA’s registration for its Copper Armor paint with Corning® Guardiant®.  This paint kills 99.9% of germs in EPA-registered tests; the US and EU mandate these “dry tests" for surface antimicrobial products as they simulate end-use conditions vs. traditional “wet tests” (ISO 22196, JISZ 2801).  Other factors, such as long-term potency, human-health impact, and low risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are key considerations for developing functional antiviral paints.
This paper will present research on paints with Guardiant vs. those containing silver and organics such as quaternary ammonium salts.  Our findings show that silver-paints don't work in realistic contamination, and paints with quats have limited efficacy against some hard-to-kill viruses. Copper has safer toxicology and low probability of AMR. Our work showcases a broadly deployable solution for potent antiviral paints, that are truly effective.

CALOSTAT®  is a non-combustible, high-performance thermal insulation material used in the construction, marine, and engineering sectors. It is a pure mineral insulation material, based on a proprietary fumed silicon dioxide composite. This specially engineered material has a microporous structure formulated to reach an outstanding thermal insulation value.
This paper will introduce a new experimental form of granules based on this technology, which can be formulated into coatings to bring high thermal insulative efficiency. The basis of the super insulation functionality in coatings is derived from the specially engineered microporous structure, optimized density combined with high hydrophobicity which allows high filler loading levels, far above conventional fumed silica. The high thermal insulative efficiency comes from the ultimate achievement in design leading to significant passivation from the three major pathways of heat transfer. The new granule design offera effective alternatives to traditional technologies. Details will address incorporation, dispersion, and application of TIC. 

It is common in the U.S. market that high gloss paints must be both interior and exterior capable. A latex designed for low VOC high gloss paint application must overcome performance challenges like tackiness due to the polymer-rich nature of the formulation, as well as balance other performance needs such as good durability. Current raw material shortages require input selections to be robust performers and capable of broad formulation, such as multiple sheen and bases or interior and exterior applications.  In this paper, we investigate a newly developed high gloss latex in different formulations. The correlation and deviation between lab data and real-world performance for high gloss paints in a variety of interior and exterior applications is discussed.  

Professional paints often have very different performance requirements vs. DIY paints, with more focus on application experience, touch-up, applied hide, and Master Painters Institute specifications. Benchmarking studies of various commercial paints that are geared to the contractor segment provided insightful information about the performance characteristics and gaps for improvement. Although binders are primary factor influencing many dry film properties, additives are critical for optimal application experience and paint finish. A broad range of rheology modifiers have been evaluated in different binder chemistry to optimize the applied hide and touch-up performance for professional paints. Proper choices of silicone additives can further enhance the application uniformity and surface smoothness. We will discuss the learnings from the commercial benchmarking study, and improving applied hide, cleansability, and touch up performance for professional paints via additive optimization.

Global environmental and regulatory impact continues to drive product development to a conversion of solvent-borne paints, stains, and coatings to water-based systems.  Despite that, some customers continue to prefer solvent-borne paints and stains for their appearance and durability.  Although solvent-borne paints and stains continue to be used, 80% or more of architectural paints and a significant proportion of stains are water-borne.  As a result, a universal colorant is only needed for a small percentage of the volume sold.  As universal colorants can contribute to paint performance issues, the use of water-only colorants is preferred for tinting water-borne systems for optimum paint performance.  We have developed a method where water-only colorants can be used in combination with a synergist to tint solvent-borne paints and stains.  This approach provides manufacturers and retailers with additional support for converting their colorants to water-only, while allowing them to maintain sales of solvent-borne paints and stains.

Pigment innovations of the “C.I. Pigment Blue 15:6”, Copper – Phthaloblue, ϵ epsilon modification of copper phthalocyanine provides very reddish blue shade of any copper phthalocyanine and is preferred due to its reddish blue hue in architectural coating. In this study, we find the C.I. PB 15:6 products to be superior in terms of durability and chemical resistance versus the conventional “C.I. Pigment Blue 15:2”, and “C.I. Pigment Blue 15:1” the stabilized α modifications of “Copper Phthalocyanine Blue” primarily used color index (C.I.) for blue in architectural. Significant improvements in durability and chemical resistance are discussed making these “C. I. Pigment Blue 15:6” pigments suitable in Architectural coatings. Ozone resistance cannot be measured by accelerated exposure measurement. Phthalocyanine Blue pigment innovations in architectural coating, testing specifics for ozone resistance and bleach resistance testing is discussed besides the focus on pigment technology innovations making these C.I. PB15:6 superior, sustainable, and resilient.

This presentation will discuss the use of a mixture of mineral salts to improve pH stabilization and provide long shelf life in water-based paint formulations. When used in water based systems as a replacement for organics, the mixture shows improved pH stability, zero VOC and odorless pH control. The mixture may also enable fulfillment of several important European ecolabels.

Polyisocyanates are used together with polyols to form polyurethanes. These materials find use in different applications due to their excellent durability, and mechanical properties. However, a large number of polyurethane formulations are solvent-borne and decreasing the amount of VOC can be challenging. Solvent-free technologies are one solution. Among these, polyurea formulations are of high interest, especially polyaspartic ester formulations.The reaction of polyamines with polyisocyanates is much faster compared to polyols. This generally improves the drying and curing time but can unfavorably impact other parameters such as the pot life of the formulation. One additional issue with polyurea formulations can be a high level of brittleness. Fortunately, the properties of such formulations can be fine-tuned by adjusting the starting materials. This presentation will look at the benefits that can be achieved through the use of novel polyisocyanate technologies,  with  improving the flexibility and pot life of the final coating.

Waterborne coatings continue to gain market shares but there is a need to open up for additional application areas.
Nonionic diols in polyurethane dispersions are known to improve vital properties like electrolyte stability, independence of pH and emission of amines but can in some cases contribute to an undesired softness of a coating. By shortening the chain length, hardness and toughness can be significantly improved in the final coating while still allow to create shear stable PUD. Difference in chain length can also affect rheological properties of a PUD.
A shorter chain length also offers a liquid delivery form at room temperature which open up for applications where it is added directly into liquid paint formulations. An inclusion can add a well-defined hydrophilic segment in a lateral position in different types of coating resins to balance HLB value and to improve wetting or adhesion.

Biobased polymers are produced from renewable resources instead of the conventional fossil resources such as petroleum oil and natural gas. Interest in biobased materials for coatings continues to increase as new renewable raw materials emerge and as companies establish sustainability initiatives.  This focus has resulted in innovative polymer design to help meet customer performance requirements.  New developments in aliphatic, biobased oil containing polyurethane dispersions have yielded unique alternatives to traditional polyurethane dispersions and solventborne products.  The scope of this work has focused on the development of waterborne linseed and castor oil modified polyurethanes for wood and masonry coatings.  Due to the unique chemistry, these resins have shown proven performance for both interior and exterior applications when benchmarked against traditional commercial products in the market. They offer excellent wood warming, fast hardness development and excellent chemical resistance. These resins are ideal candidates for VOC compliant coatings with very good performance.

Momentive Performance Material’s 1K NCO-Free, Moisture Curable Silicone-polyurethane hybrid Resin Technology is an excellent candidate for use on multiple substrates, such as, concrete, metals, wood, plastics, and glass.
This paper describes potential applications using 1K-Moisture Curable Resin. The first application utilizes the 1K-Moisture Cure Resin on multiple metal substrates including high performance primer and primer/topcoat coil coating finishes on HDG steel. The resulting coating systems were characterized by improved corrosion resistance, mechanical integrity, outdoor durability and excellent T-bend flexibility. The second application introduces the 1K-Moisture Cure Resin formulations applied on concrete for floor coating application. Results demonstrated improved hardness, chemical resistance, impact resistance, weathering, and flexibility relative to commercially available technologies. Additionally, results using the 1K-Moisture Cure resin applied on wood substrates, PC/ABS plastic substrates, and glass substrates will be discussed.

For over 30 years, the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force have utilized solvent-borne two-component (2K) polyurethanes as exterior topcoats on aircraft (i.e. fixed and rotary wing) and ground support equipment (GSE).  However, these topcoats contain isocyanate-functional molecules and other chemicals that are hazardous to the environment.  To address these issues, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) developed two novel and environmentally friendly topcoat technologies: 1) a single-component (1K) polysiloxane topcoat, which is an all-in-one can system that does not require mixing of components, and 2) a two-component polysiloxane topcoat, which requires mixing of components.  These topcoats are free of isocyanates, HAPs-free, and lower in VOCs than the legacy polyurethanes.  The polysiloxane topcoats that met all laboratory tests were demonstrated on the exterior of in-service assets for a period of 1-2 years to validate their field performance compared to currently qualified polyurethane topcoats. 

Developing new molecules capable of improving coating performance is technically challenging; doing so while also ensuring that they can be successfully globally registered can seem impossible. However, there are strategies that can enable companies to improve their innovation efforts by shortening product development time, lowering overall R&D costs, and improving the odds of commercial success.
This paper will describe how a “benign-by-design” approach was used in the development of new molecules unable to meet the US EPA definition of low-risk polymers. By using predictive models to estimate molecules’ physical/chemical and environmental fate behavior, EH&S criteria could be introduced at the beginning of the molecular design phase; therefore, potential issues were identified before performing any synthesis. Chemical structure-toxicity/biodegradability relationships were built around families of molecules with the best environmental profiles, and that information was combined with traditional structure-property relationships to arrive at new molecules that met both performance and regulatory targets.

Sophisticated algorithms enabled by big data analytics and machine learning (ML) have untapped potential to improve the accuracy of formulation optimization and performance prediction. A case study exploring broad formulations typical of the European market  was conducted using a novel matting resin that provides an engineered surface with controlled topology and functionality. An optimal design-of-experiments strategy combined with high-throughput methodology were utilized to evaluate about 1000 paint formulations, covering a design space of greater than 38000 combinations.  Modeling of paint properties was carried out by applying a range of methods to compare the accuracy of the models. Applied methodologies were Taylor Series Expansion involving main effect and higher order interaction terms, Partial Least Square, Bootstrap Forest, and Neural Network. Predictive models were further utilized to optimize performance and simulate preferred compositional spaces for a targeted balance of properties. Optimal formulations were validated using benchtop formulation and characterization.

Over 75% of coating formulations require multiple reformulations, accelerated laboratory and outdoor durability testing.  Rational Coating Formulation differs from conventional approaches in that it relies on the established material properties of coating ingredients-entropy and enthalpy- and assesses potential interactions/reactions among ingredients prior to formulation. The approach is similar to material and product reliability, practiced in aeronautic and electronics industries to develop and produce reliable and high-performance products. This paper will discuss and demonstrate methodologies used in Rational Formulation approaches. Intrinsic and extrinsic properties of raw materials in most common coating technologies will be demonstrated and the clear justification of materials choice will be presented. In addition, the effects of materials' attributes on coating performance, durability and overall cost are

For manufacturing environments, painting is the most expensive process in the plant.  The most expensive to build and operate, it accounts for more rework and scrap than any other department.
Programming a new part or color is tedious.  Simulation programs help, but checking the result requires painting, curing, then inspecting each part.  Each defect can require hours or even days to resolve…
SprayVision is an innovative approach to process analysis.  Voted “2020 Idea of the Year”, it allows painters to analyze the results of the painting process “in the wet” in minutes – eliminating the curing process.  This can cut hours, even days, from the setup process.  Moreover, it establishes baselines for atomizer performance and spray patterns which can be checked periodically to eliminate defects, increase FPY and reduce the overall cost of coating parts.
This represents a “game changer” in the painting industry.

The coating market continues to grow worldwide, so the necessity to paint recycling is becoming inevitable to avoid landfilling. Many companies are currently doing conventional paint recycling practices, but in the 21st-century, recycling companies need to study the current consumer attitude, requirements, and awareness towards recycling. So, GDB international invested in research and development for paint recycling for the last 20 years, where we devolved a multi-layered paint recycling process. After many years of recycling experience, we believe this technology will help increase the rate of recycling, consumer participation and change the paint industry's approach towards the recycling business. 
GDB has developed multi-layer paint recycling technology for quality, consistent recycled paint. Master blend for tinting and zero water usage are unique features of this process. This process has been successfully implemented across the GDB's recycling center, which results in a reduction in landfills and more recycled products on the wall.  

Polyester polyols were prepared using a novel, low cost, bio-based 1,5 pentanediol (1,5-PDO) and formulated into solvent-borne coatings and hot melt adhesives. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study on bio-based 1,5-PDO as the main diol in coatings and adhesives and the first study on the effect of impurities specific to bio-based monomers on polyester polyols. Renewable 1,5-PDO based coatings exhibited similar performance, such as hardness, flexibility, adhesion strength, and solvent resistance, to the coatings based on petroleum-derived 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO). Renewable 1,5-PDO based adhesives exhibited weaker green strength and longer open time than 1,6-HDO based adhesives. Polyesters dosed with delta-valerolactone (DVL) showed reduced thermal transition temperatures; however, hydroxyl functionalities of polyols were still controlled by the excess diols in monomer feeds and were not impacted significantly by DVL. 

Consistent with sustainability targets for the broader coatings industry, major furniture manufacturers have begun to set standards for coatings suppliers to, for example, achieve up to 40% renewable content by 2030. In addition, there’s a known performance challenge for coatings used on softwood in these applications – knot staining – where the surface appears discolored at the knot due to high extractive concentration.
This paper introduces a novel, anionic stabilized, 1-component acrylic dispersion which addresses both technical challenges seamlessly. It contains 20% renewable (14C) content and features excellent knot staining resistance, which makes a great option for wood furniture primers. Other performance features, like hardness, adhesion, and block resistance will be explored, and the paper will be supplemented with formulation studies to showcase how incorporating certain fillers further reduce knot staining. To provide context, this paper will touch on best practices in measuring sustainability and progress towards a greener future.

Polymeric materials derived from renewable feedstock attract a lot of attention targeting to replace currently used petroleum-based counterparts. In particular, naturally derived biopolymers, such as: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are studied extensively and demonstrate ability to undergo chemical/physical modifications due to the abundance of functional groups in their chemical structure. Previously, our group reported on one-step synthesis of plant oil-based acrylic monomers (POBMs) from a variety of plant oils. Incorporation of POBM fragments into the copolymer macromolecules facilitates internal plasticizing effect and increases water repellent properties. In this study, two POBMs differing in degree of unsaturation, derived from camelina oil and high oleic soybean oil, are grafted to the hemi-cellulose backbone using free radical polymerization approach. The purpose of the synthesis is to develop a fully biobased copolymers by combining individual benefits of “rigid” hemi-cellulose and “soft” POBM fragments, with desired application of product in modification of paper-based packaging materials.

In the current study, the synthesis of rosin gum-based polyols(PLs) used as thermally curable high-solid industrial resins was targeted. Gum Rosin (GR) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), as two low-cost commercial bio-renewable-based materials were used. Different polyols were synthesized in two steps of reacting ESO with mono-functional acid (GR and/or benzoic acid (BA)) and then with a di-functional acid. Synthesized PLs were characterized using different techniques. Clear and pigmented coating samples were formulated using PL samples and a highly methylated melamine compound (HMMM). The physical and mechanical properties of the cured samples were studied and the results were compared with commercial short-oil alkyd paints.
The results showed that rosin-based polyols with ~ 24-34% wt% of rosin, OH# 90-110, and bio-renewable content of >90% were successfully synthesized. All coatings showed proper physical and mechanical properties, as well as appropriate compatibility with the HMMM hardener – an important factor demonstrating their versatility.

Michelman is developing a series of unique hybrid additives that enable exterior wood decking and fencing coatings to maintain their initial color, appearance, and structural properties even after prolonged environmental exposure.
Through accelerated and exterior weathering exposure testing and real-life application testing, we have been able to verify that these experimental products provide superior water and abrasion resistance and may be compatible with a variety of resin systems. In addition, some of these materials exhibit improved dirt-pick-up resistance on Southern Yellow Pine wood species as measured by an internal Michelman test method.

Accelerated outdoor weathering with linear Fresnel-reflecting concentrators, which track the course of the sun throughout the day to maximize and concentrate solar radiation onto test specimens, is a well established and mature technology.  The use of concentrated solar radiation often results in degradation processes that are similar to those observed in natural end use applications.
When using traditional mirrors, the entire solar spectrum is concentrated onto the specimens.  This is not ideal for testing materials with poor thermal conductivity, such as plastics or composites, since they can easily overheat and thermally decompose.  A recent development in accelerated outdoor weathering is the use of newer “cool mirror” technology, instead of, or in combination with, traditional mirrors.  These new mirrors are designed to reflect UV and short-wave visible, but not infrared, radiation.  This results in lower specimen temperatures.  The new technology enables researchers  to test temperature-sensitive materials using solar concentrating exposures.

A long recognized need in the coatings industry is a rapid and accurate assessment of paint durability.  Testing under conditions identical to the end-use application would require excessive exposure times, since exterior paints are expected to last for many years if not decades.  Various techniques have been developed to shorten exposure times by increase exposure intensity, typically by increasing intensity or energy of UV light directed at the film.  However, these techniques can have serious shortcomings because they do not accelerate all degradation pathways proportionally, and in general the shorter the exposure time, the poorer the correlation with actual end-use performance.  We have found that early chalking results for panels exposed to ambient (Florida) conditions are excellent predictors of long term performance, allowing for an accurate assessment of chalk resistance to be made in a matter of months rather than years.  We will review this technique and results.

Coatings formulators can spend a great deal of time and resources screening various additives to remedy defects on cured surface coatings. However, in some cases, the processing parameters prior to spray application may be the cause of significant changes in surface defects for powder coating systems. We compared various preparation methods to changes in surface appearance and physical performance for FEVE resin-based powder systems over metallic substrates. This study will utilize accelerated corrosion testing that includes accelerated exposure testing (QUV and Prohesion) along with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate how a powder system’s preparation can influence the topcoat’s overall performance.

Ponding water coating damage is one of the least understood problems of the roofing industry. Two model acrylic coatings on TPO substrate were put under lab-controlled accelerated growth of algae in ponding water to learn about coating damage before and after subsequent wet-dry cycles. Three distinct damage features in sequence were observed: (1) the pit formation on the coating surfaces, (2) the algae biofilm mud-cracking induced surface damage, and (3) erosion of coating in the mud-cracked region over the wet-dry cycles. Adhesion of the algae biofilm with the coating surface and drying the biofilm were found to be the critical factors that govern the erosion on the coating surface and pit formation, respectively. The mechanisms of biofilm-induced erosion during the wet-dry cycling were postulated based on the mechanics and experimental observations. A new accelerated testing methodology for evaluating long-term roof coating performance is proposed.

Protective coatings for heavy industrial and infrastructure applications must withstand the test of time. These coatings are under relentless pressure from environmental conditions and are often found in sensitive or hard to access locations where recoating must be minimized. Currently, fluoropolymers are the gold-standard for these applications due to their ability to enable extreme durability. However, these resins do come with trade-offs—including high-costs and growing regulatory pressure surrounding the use of polyfluorinated materials. To address these concerns, Eastman has developed novel polyester based protective resin systems based on a unique monomer that showcase exceptional weathering and have the potential to match the performance of currently available fluoropolymers. This paper will showcase initial weathering data for these resins, as well as an analysis of the polymer linkages and modelling of polymer photo degradation to demonstrate why we believe these new resins are so highly weatherable.

Corrosion protection is a top performance requirement in the protective coatings market. 2K urethane coatings are commonly used in this market as primers or topcoats, but end users are increasingly demanding more corrosion protection with fewer coats. The work done in this study demonstrates the versatility of a recently developed solventborne acrylic direct-to-metal (“DTM”) polyol to provide excellent performance in DTM, primer, or topcoat layers, allowing end users to simplify portfolios across multiple applications. This study shows how the DTM polyol compares with competitive resins across multiple performance categories, including dry time, hardness, and scratch resistance, and in various coating layers, from primer to clearcoat. This reveals the durability and flexibility of the polyol to achieve results on par or better than competitive primer and topcoat offerings.

Hexigone was created after a discovery at Swansea University, where the research team had been looking for a high performance corrosion inhibitor to replace the highly toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic, hexavalent chromate.
The challenge was time dependant as European legislation was enforcing a ban on the use of hexavalent chromate across Europe.  The initial sunset date was in 2017, with this pushing back to January 2019.  
By utilising ‘Chemical Intelligence’, the team developed a highly effective smart additive that out-performed hexavalent chromate in laboratory testing.  With support from The RSC, InnovateUK, The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering and some very understanding investors, Hexigone has moved from a UK lab discovery to an export company.
The highs and lows of the journey, from the nano level discovery and electrochemical fundamentals of corrosion, through to a commercially produced product will be discussed.’

Many surface defects, such as fisheyes, edge pull, and retraction are caused when the liquid film dewets after application. Application of the coating by brush, roller or spray may effectively force wet and spread the film across the substrate, but defects may form soon after application. There is competition between the hydrodynamic inertia of the applied film and the interfacial tension forces that can cause the coating to dewet or retract.
Additives can be used to prevent these defects by reducing the interfacial forces that drive retraction. However, with many different additives to choose from, that may also cause unwanted side effects, the formulator can find additive selection difficult. This paper will compare the advantages and disadvantages of different additive chemistries used to prevent defects caused by dewetting. It will also introduce a new, highly versatile, and effective siloxane wetting agent suitable for many different coating applications and substrates.

Although protective coatings are frequently used to improve the durability and aesthetics of concrete/masonry substrates, robust adhesion is difficult to achieve and typically requires labor-intensive surface preparations (e.g., acid etching and sand blasting) prior to coating applications. Analytical characterization indicates that the cohesive failure in concrete skin is the main root cause for poor adhesion. Guided by this mechanistic understanding, we developed a waterborne hybrid technology capable of penetrating and fortifying the loosely bonded concrete surface layer. The hybrid technology can be subsequently formulated into a clear bonding primer (basecoat), enabling waterborne topcoats to provide robust adhesion on a wide range of minimally prepared and challenging concrete and inorganic substrates.

Energy efficient curing is an extremely relevant area of development for current and future coatings applications. Energy efficient curing can be achieved using thermal sources such as ovens or infrared (IR) lights; or can be achieved using non-thermal sources such as ultraviolet (UV) or visible light. Energy efficient curing reduces the energy consumption associated with producing high performance coatings. We have developed new, high performance cycloaliphatic epoxy coating systems capable of curing between 120 °C - 150 °C or using visible (405 nm) LED systems. Depending on the desired application, these systems can be used as clear coats or heavily pigmented systems additionally, we can tailor our coating systems for powder or solvent spray applications.  Herein, we will describe our resin systems and will provide example formulations as well as curing and performance data.

Some may say it would be easier to get oil and water to form a homogeneous mixture than ultra-low gloss high-performance 100% solids UV coating at an applicable viscosity (<2,000cP at 25o).  The high crosslink density that makes UV so attractive for high scratch, abrasion, and high gloss application make 100% UV a liability for matte finishes. Formulators routinely have to choose between oligomer content and crosslink density to achieve desired visual appearance (matte appearance plus clarity) and application viscosity.   Another tool formulators, jobbers, and finishers use to achieve matte finish is Excimer curing.  Excimer uses a unique curing process to achieve a matte finish by creating a wrinkled and roughened surface.  The importance of resin selection is crucial to the efficiency or consistency of the wrinkling.  This paper will explore resin design to achieve a high-performance matte finish and resin selection for maximizing Excimer curing.

Matting of clear wood coatings is a critical aspect in capturing the natural beauty of the substrate and appealing to consumer demands.  Maintaining this visual appearance is vital to coating and product lifespan and with deep matte finishes, resistance to burnish and polishing is of particular concern.  Recent work has identified interesting synergies of matting technology that pair the efficiency and clarity of silica matting agents with the physical durability and protective ability of organic particles.   The plastic deformation and energy dissipation of these particles resist polishing forces and protect the matting structure of the silica.  This combination has shown excellent synergy and allows formulation of durable deep-matte finishes with excellent burnish resistance.  There are also significant benefits in reduced viscosity build at high matting agent levels, stability to settling, and chemical resistance.  This presentation will review the technical details of the synergy and characteristics in different wood coating systems.

For many years, waterbased UV has been limited in these industries because of limited tools in the toolbox due to the fact that water and UV curable chemistry are more like oil and water when combined.  This poor compatibility left a lot to be desired in terms of gloss, clarity, and overall coating performance.  For wood and flooring applications, these aesthetic issues were acceptable because the substrate covered up a multitude of sins.  Today, water-based UV has come a long way where aesthetics and performance  can be equal to that of 100% solids and solventborne UV curable coatings allowing formulators, jobbers, and finishers to embrace a more conscientious approached to the environment.  This paper will examine novel waterborne UV technologies that expand the product toolbox that addresses needs such as faster water release, exterior durability, and high gloss making waterborne UV advantageous for wood and beyond.

There is an increasing market need for strong and resilient waterborne coatings to equal the performance of solvent-based systems. The ability of a waterborne formulation to compete with a solvent-borne counterpart can be significantly affected by the dispersant in the system, with an incorrect choice giving issues such as increased staining and corrosion, or interference with the performance of reactive binders. Constraints on biocide level in coatings add additional challenges to formulators. At Lubrizol we have developed novel dispersants with end use and durability in mind, creating an excellent structure property understanding. Here, we discuss how Lubrizol maximizes ease of formulation in waterborne systems by tailoring the value added from the dispersing agent to the needs of the final coating. In addition to this we have been able to control dispersant morphology such that we can supply 100% active products that are pourable at room temperature and completely biocide free.