Company and Industry News

Alberta and Saskatchewan lead Provincial Economy Growth in 2011

Statistics Canada reports that Alberta led the provinces in economic growth in 2011, with Saskatchewan a close second.

The Canadian economy as a whole expanded 2.6 per cent in 2011, down after a 3.4 per cent expansion in 2010.

But in Alberta, the economy surged 5.2 percent in 2011, after a slower 3.3 per cent expansion in 2010, buoyed by high energy prices that encouraged extraction and exploration in the oil and gas patch.

Saskatchewan’s economy grew 4.8 per cent from the previous year, due to strong export demand for its natural resources.

Ontario, saw two per cent growth in 2011, led by mining and exploration, as well as manufacturing.

In the other provinces, GDP grew 2.8 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1.1 per cent in Prince Edward Island, 0.3 per cent in Nova Scotia, 0.1 per cent in New Brunswick, 1.7 per cent in Quebec, 1.1 per cent in Manitoba, and 2.9 per cent in British Columbia.

In Northwest Territories, the economy dropped 5.5 per cent, led by a big decline in diamond mining.

In the other two territories, the Yukon saw 5.6 per cent growth with record levels for gold and silver mining. In Nunavut, output of gold and silver ore mining increased for a second consecutive year, raising the GDP 7.7 per cent.

 

decaBDE recommendations published in Canada Gazette I

Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) belongs to a group of structurally related chemicals known as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The primary use of decaBDE in Canada is as a flame retardant in the manufacture of thermoplastics and polymer resins. DecaBDE does not occur naturally in the environment and is not manufactured in Canada. However, decaBDE may be imported into Canada as a commercial mixture, DecaBDE, or in consumer products such as electronic and electrical goods and textiles.

The health effects of decaBDE have been well studied. In laboratory animals, decaBDE affects early fetal/neonatal development, the liver, the thyroid and potentially the endocrine system. The available studies suggest that decaBDE does not have significant genotoxic potential, and there is limited evidence for carcinogenicity in experimental animals.

The draft human health state of the science report of decabromodiphenyl ether is available on the Government of Canada’s Chemical Substances Web site (www.chemicalsubstances.gc.ca).

 

Ontario to License Toxic Reduction Planners by Summer of 2012

Dave Saucier of the CACD attended a workshop recently regarding the role of licensed Planners in Ontario. Saucier intends to become licensed to be able to assist member companies to meet the regulatory requirements that come into play later this year. The ministry will be licensing planners by summer 2012. Due to anticipated demand, the ministry will be accepting applications on a first come, first serve basis.

Section 27.1 of Ontario Regulation 455/09 sets out the qualifications required to become a licensed planner. An individual must:

1.     Meet a combination of education and/or work experience: BSc/MSc/PhD in a related field + 4 years of relevant full-time work experience or the part-time equivalent; College diploma in a related field + 6 years of relevant full-time work experience or the part-time equivalent; or 8 years of relevant full-time work experience or the part time-equivalent (with at least 2 years in environmental management and 2 years in operational activities in a manufacturing or mineral processing facility).

2.            Complete a Ministry approved course

3.            Write and pass a Ministry approved examination

4.            Pay a fee

The Toxic Substance Reduction Planner Training Course is currently being developed. Participants will be required to complete on-line modules that will take approximately 2.5 days. Once this portion of the course has been completed, participants will attend classroom training for 2.5 days. These modules contain content related to the requirements of being a planner. The classroom modules will also include examples, case studies and exercises. The exam will be held on the afternoon of the third day of classroom training. Classroom training will be held in the Greater Toronto Area with the possibility of hosting sessions elsewhere in the province depending on enrolment and demand.

This spring, a form will be available to all applicants to register for the training course, the exam and to obtain a licence. The application will list the fee for each of: the course, the exam, and the licence. For more information on the Toxic Substance Reduction Planner program, please visit this Ministry’s ‘Reducing Toxics’ website: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/subject/toxics/index.htm

 

New Regulation is Causing Trucking Headaches

What was meant to be a small rule tweak in the definition of a “tank vehicle” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has turned into a major glitch for trucked shipments of coatings around North America.

The change was not meant to affect coatings shipments, but coatings manufacturers are reporting delays in product shipments, and drivers being ticketed.

The American Coatings Association says the new definition is “overly broad” by including all shipments of bulk tank or tanks that have a total aggregate capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.

The paint and coatings industry trucks product in totes (small portable tanks) and intermediate bulk containers(IBCs), which typically carry 275 to 500 gallons. Before the rule, drivers hauling these containers did not need a tank vehicle endorsement.

Coating manufacturers have complained that their drivers are being cited for violations of the new rule, so ACA has met with law enforcement to request “soft enforcement” of the regulation until it can get FMSCA to change the definition to exclude totes and IBCs.

 

DuPont Performance Coatings on Auction Block

DuPont Chemical’s Performance Coatings segment, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automotive paint, is accepting bids for the business.

DuPont Performance Coatings was formed in March 1999 by the merger of Herberts GmbH and DuPont Automotive Finishes.  It includes DuPont Industrial Coatings, DuPont Aviation Finishes, DuPont Commercial Finishes, DuPont Refinish, Standox, Spies Hecker and Nason Finishes.

Performance Coatings accounted for 12 per cent of DuPont’s $31.5 billion in revenue last year. Although fourth-quarter sales showed an overall 8 per cent increase, those gains were built on 10 per cent price increases imposed to offset rising raw material costs; segment volume declined by 2 per cent over the same quarter of 2010.

Potential buyers include competitors PPG Industries, BASF and Akzo Nobel, according to reports. Several buyout firms have also reportedly been preparing for the auction since late last year. Private equity firms find the unit especially attractive as they believe costs can easily be cut to make it more profitable.

 

ITW Gema 2012 Training sessions

ITW Gema has begun their training dates for the year in Las Vegas.

That session will be followed by several other dates around North America, including a Canadian date on Aug 1-2, 2012 in Toronto, ON, Hampton Inn & Suites, Toronto Airport.

The classes are dealing with Automatic Systems Training, Manual Gun Training and “Old School Meets High Tech” Powder Coating Workshop sponsored By ITW Gema and TIGER Drylac USA, Inc.. (Direct Link to classes is: http://www.itwgema.us/powdercoatingworkshop/)

www.itwgema.com

 

Sign Up for the CFCM Buyers Guide

It is that time again–a new year, a new listing. Every year, after the Buyers Guide is published in July, CFCM receives several emails and phone calls from companies asking how they can be included. Our Buyers Guide is online. Go to http://www.cfcm.mercuryemail.com and click on “add new listing”, follow the instructions and include your information. In time for a July release we will use all the online information for our printed Buyers Guide. Don’t miss the boat. Sign up today.

 

Canada Partners In Launch Of New Global Climate And Clear Air Initiative

The Honourable Peter Kent, alongside United State Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Environment Ministers from participating countries, launched a new global initiative aimed at making rapid progress on countering climate change and improving air quality. The new initiative, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, is composed of six participating countries--Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden and the United States and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

It is estimated that SLCP emissions, such as methane, black carbon (soot), and tropospheric ozone, will contribute about half of the climate warming from current anthropogenic emissions over the next 20 years. They have critical impacts on water cycle, crop yields, air quality and human health. This issue is of particular importance for Arctic countries, as black carbon has an additional warming effect when deposited on snow and ice.

 

Smart Paint

Scottish scientists are developing a low-cost “smart” paint that can detect microscopic faults in wind turbines, mines and bridges before structural damage occurs.

The environmentally friendly paint uses nanotechnology to detect movement in large structures and could shape the future of safety monitoring, according to researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

The paint can be sprayed onto any surface, with electrodes attached to detect structural damage long before failure occurs. It is made with fly ash and highly aligned carbon nanotubes. When mixed, it has a cement-like property and can endure harsh environments.

 

 People

 

New at Ferguson

Ferguson Chemical Innovation has recently announced that Ms. Riki Gogna has accepted a position of Business Line Manager for the Coatings, Adhesives, and sealants group (CAS), effective February 6, 2012.

Gogna will be responsible for creating new and maintaining existing strong customer relationships to drive sales growth; Leading the training and development of a strong CAS sales force to support the present and future growth of this dynamic growth organization; Developing the selling strategy that will enable Ferguson Chemical Innovations achieve market leadership in the Canadian marketplace and Collaborating with the Marketing Managers to develop the Canadian sales plan and operating expense budget as part of the Company's business plan.

Gogna is a recent MBA graduate, and brings a great deal of coatings industry experience. She formulated coatings at ICI Autocolour (Automotive and industrial), she synthesized phenolic and aylkd resins at Schenectady Canada, and was product champion for coatings raw materials at Univar and Min-chem.

The company has also hired Ms. Christina Pross as Marketing Manager.

Pross brings an experienced track record of success with a high degree of technical expertise in Coatings, Graphic Arts, Plastics, Functional, Personal Care and Cosmetics Industries. The company says Christina also has an excellent understanding of chemical distribution, and marketing knowledge, which will be valuable in allowing her to meet her departmental goals and objectives.

 

New Canadian CFO at Bayer

John Lemmex has been appointed chief financial officer, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. In this role, Lemmex is responsible for all finance and controlling activities in the NAFTA region. He also serves as a member of Bayer’s North American Leadership Team.

Lemmex, a native of Canada, joined Bayer nearly 25 years ago as a process chemist at a rubber operations plant in Sarnia, Ontario. He transitioned into a business analyst role in 1991, holding positions of increasing responsibility in the field of finance, controlling and accounting. Prior to taking on his new role, Lemmex spent several years at Bayer headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany, where he led the restructuring of the Bayer Polymers and MaterialScience controlling functions. Most recently, Lemmex served as vice president and controller, Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

Lemmex earned a degree in chemistry from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and a master’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. He holds a CGA from The Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario and a CPA from the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

He is active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the Blind Vision & Rehabilitation Services, as well as Variety the Children’s Charity, both in Pittsburgh.

Lemmex is married and has two children. He resides with his family in Cranberry Township, PA.

 

Obituary:

Barry Kay

(July 29, 1935 - January 17, 2012)

 

The industry is saddened to learn of the passing of (George) Barry Kay peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, January 17 at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He was in his 77th year.

Kay was the only child of the late George and Jessie (Cruickshank) Kay. In 1955, he met and married his wife of 56 years, Kathleen (Martin).

Barry was a reporter-photographer who began his career with the Moose Jaw Times Herald, followed in time by the Calgary Herald, the Scotsman/Evening Dispatch and the Globe and Mail. By 1970 he had decided that magazines were more his style and he joined Maclean Hunter in Toronto, where he worked on Canadian Paint and Finishing and Oilweek amongst other titles. He founded Kay Publishing and Coatings Magazine on June 15, 1979. He subsequently built the company into a multi-million dollar venture of trade magazines and educational conferences that were read and respected worldwide. He officially retired in 1998, and Coatings was sold to Rogers Communication’s Inc., but continued working on a consulting basis for the next few years.

A devout Catholic, Barry was actively involved in his Church. He was also a devoted Rotarian with the Oakville Trafalgar Club, and was twice awarded Rotary's highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship. He also campaigned and fundraised tirelessly in various capacities for the Arthritis Society. He is survived by wife Kathie, daughters Mary-Jo Bonikowsky, Jessica Badali and Jennifer Kay, sons-in-law Larry and Salvatore, grandchildren Christopher (Melody), Alex, Katie, Cailey and Daani and great grandchildren Mekala and Charlotte, along with countless other family members and friends who were blessed to know him.

Friends and family are invited to visit with the family on Friday, January 20, 2012 between the hours of 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600), Oakville. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 2415 Rebecca St., Oakville on Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Arthritis Society or the charity of your choice.

 

Association News

 

CPCA Annual Conference and AGM

The Canadian Paint and Coating Association (CPCA) is having its Annual Conference and General Meeting, Saturday, September 15, 2012 in Vancouver, BC, starting at 1:00 pm and finishing on – Monday, September 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm.

The new conference format includes Technical Committee Meetings on Sunday. This will provide an opportunity for the committees to meet to discuss current issues of the day and network with other industry colleagues.

Monday’s business program will include presenters addressing key national and international issues faced by the paint and coatings sector. These sessions will also include updates on important public policy and regulatory issues related to all three levels of government.

The social program will include several networking opportunities including the Chair’s Gala on Sunday evening.

Full program and registration details will be available soon.

 

Former CFLer, Canadian Senator to Inspire Quebec Manufacturers
The most pressing challenge facing Quebec manufacturers in 2012 is the need to do more with less, reports a recent survey conducted by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The survey is being released just weeks before the launch of a newly-expanded Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS), which features an inspirational keynote address by Canadian senator and former CFLer Larry Smith.
More than one-half of manufacturers surveyed by SME cited improving workforce productivity as a primary concern, followed closely by the need to update equipment and processes, and to lower overall production costs.
“These findings demonstrate the important role that technology plays in the Quebec manufacturing sector,” said Nick Samain, Group Show Manager with the SME, organizer of MMTS, to be held May 14-16 at Montreal’s Place Bonaventure.  “Manufacturers need up-to-date technology, equipment and services to remain competitive and it’s our job to present those solutions in a format that makes it easy for them to find the answers they need,” he said, noting that the bi-annual event is as much about education and networking as it is about purchasing new products.
Other challenges facing Quebec manufacturers, as identified by the SME survey, include: finding ways to expand into new markets; attracting and retaining qualified personnel; keeping up with industry trends; and, dealing with uncertain customer demand.
At MMTS, show visitors will receive a motivational message from Smith, former star fullback and president of the Montreal Alouettes Canadian Football League franchise, former president and publisher Montreal Gazette and one of Quebec’s most respected business leaders, who will show how mastering the three elements of change, vision and mission can help to overcome such hurdles and lead to business success.
One of Canada’s most inspiring sports heroes, Smith will share his business acumen and belief that how well you build your team – or business – depends on how well you sell your vision for change. Combining his powerful and successful leadership models with interesting anecdotes from his years as a leadership legend in the CFL, Smith will deliver measurable tools that manufacturers can use to bring the best out in their employees and processes.
Additional MMTS highlights include a new format with a greater emphasis on social media as a means to deliver a truly interactive user experience; a first-ever Interactive Practical Education Component (iPEC) that delivers open, informal, hands-on technical sessions presented in a modern, innovative Presentation Hub situated right on the show floor; and, a larger-than-ever product exhibition featuring a 15 per cent increase in show floor space.
The event will highlight key advances in such areas as high-speed machining, aerospace, transportation, energy, efficiency, lean manufacturing and more. Among the key exhibitors already secured include: Sandvik, Elliott Matsuura, Machineries BV, Huron Canada, Megatel, Ellison/Mori Seiki, Mazak, Okuma, Prima Finn Power and many more. Five thousand attendees are expected to visit the show, representing a cross-section of more than 20 manufacturing industries.
The event is produced in partnership with the Canadian Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (CMTDA), Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA), Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA), Quebec Aerospace Association (AQA) and Les Affaires.

About the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org)

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the world's leading resource for manufacturing information and knowledge. With Canadian headquarters in Toronto, the society promotes an increased awareness of the value of manufacturing among industry professionals and the general public, while supporting educational initiatives and introducing career options for those entering the industry. For half a million manufacturing engineers, executives and members in more than 70 countries around the globe, SME is the source for knowledge, networking and skills development opportunities that help them advance their careers, their companies and their industries.

 

OPCA Events

The Ontario Painting Contractors Association (OPCA), posted several upcoming industry in its recent newsletter.

Night At The Races, Sponsored by the Federation of Painting and Decorating Contractors of Toronto, takes place May 9, 2012 at Woodbine Racetrack.

The OPCA GOLF CLASSIC will be held June 27, 2012 at Angus Glen Golf and Country Club. The Association’s Annual Conference is scheduled for October 12-14, 2012 at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa.

www.opcatrusted.ca

 

Strike Out Arthritis Challenge Raises $13,000

Over the past 13 years the Paint Challenge Bowling tournament has raised $300,000 for the Arthritis Society and on Feb. 18, 2012, the industry raised another $13,000.

While arthritis is commonly thought to be a disease of the elderly, the reality is that two thirds of people with arthritis are of working age. It is a cause that has been close to the Ontario Coatings industry.

Companies providing teams in the tournament this year were Akzo Nobel, Brenntag Canada, Chemroy, CAPO Industries, Dominion Colour Corp. Ferguson Chemical Innovation, LV Lomas, Northspec Chemicals Corp., Serif Coatings, Unipex and Univar Canada.

Serif Coatings won the bowling tournament as a team. Top individual fundraiser was Therese Giaschi from Akzo Nobel. Top Team fundraisers were also Akzo Nobel.

Participants received a traveling mug and there were several tables full of prizes to be won and silent auction items to bid on.

Organizers were very pleased with the event and fun was had by all.

Photos by Sandy Anderson

For more photos click photo button on menu above.

 

RCMP ChemWatch Alert issued for Sodium Borohydride
The RCMP wishes to inform the Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors and their member companies of an alarming rise in the number of suspicious transactions involving Ontario-based criminal enterprises acquiring sodium borohydride. The RCMP appreciates the numerous uses for sodium borohydride as a legitimate reducing agent. Their concern is that sodium borohydride is also sought after by drug traffickers and commonly used as a reducing agent in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy).
Please share this information with CACD members. We encourage scrutiny of all sodium borohydride transactions. Should a suspicious transaction be detected please report this information to the RCMP ChemWatch Hotline at 1-800-387-0020 or via e-mail at: odiv_ChemWatch@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

 

North American Coatings Show Cancelled 

The Powder Coatings Institute will return to a solo show format in 2012, after cancelling The North American Coating Show it had co-hosted for two years with NACE International.

PCI’s new event, COATING 2012, will be held Oct. 9-11, 2012, in St. Louis—the same dates and location that had been slated for the NAI Coating Show with NACE.

 

Pricing News

 

Troy Introduces Two New High Performance Defoamers for Aqueous Systems

Troy Corporation announces the introduction of two new highly effective defoamers, Troykyd D742 and D745. Representing a direct response to the needs of industry, the two new defoamers offer a cost-effective solution to foam-related issues across many applications. D742 and D745 provide excellent foam elimination while effectively maintaining surface properties such as appearance and gloss.

Troykyd D742 provides excellent air release in a wide range of aqueous applications, including wood finishes, architectural latex paints, industrial enamels, inks, and overprint varnishes. The product is highly effective at low concentrations.

Troykyd D745 offers highly effective air release performance in high shear applications, such as overprint varnishes, inks, adhesives, and wood coatings. The product eliminates microfoam while maintaining excellent film appearance.

“Troykyd D742 and D745 are engineered for air release in high performance aqueous applications and do not contribute to a reduction in the desired properties of surface appearance and gloss,” says Dr. Izzy Colon, VP and General Manager, Additives at Troy. “The products’ broad compatibility further allows manufacturers to inventory fewer defoamer products, which ultimately saves them money.”

 

Graco Launches Integrated Series of Reactor Proportioning Systems

Graco Inc. recently unveiled the new Reactor E-30i and Reactor E-XP2i Integrated Proportioning Systems at the SPFA (Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance) Expo in Dallas, Texas. Designed for polyurethane foam or polyurea applications, the integrated system combines an electric Reactor proportioner and a diesel generator into one package, making it a true Graco engineered solution. Complete turnkey models are also available with a fully integrated air compressor and three-stage air dryer.

“One of our goals for this product is to save the end-user money on diesel fuel,” said Nick Pagano, High-Performance Coatings and Foam Product Marketing Manager. “We accomplished this by re-purposing waste heat from the engine coolant to heat the A and B materials. By utilizing this waste heat, we eliminated or minimized the heater requirements. Smaller heaters mean a smaller generator, and a smaller generator means less diesel fuel, resulting in diesel fuel savings for the end user.”

This is also the first Reactor proportioner system to employ Graco Control Architecture. The system’s advanced control technology tracks, monitors and saves project information, plus it stores key setup data such as temperatures and pressure set points for up to 24 material recipes. It provides the end-user with on-screen troubleshooting advice, and an easy to view data display with information such as drum fluid levels and daily chemical output.

 

Introducing PosiTector Inspection Kits

DeFelsko is pleased to announce new PosiTector Inspection Kits. Available with your choice of Standard or Advanced Gage features, each NEW PosiTector body accepts the PosiTector 6000, DPM, and SPG probes included in the kit easily converting from a coating thickness gage to a dew point meter or surface profile gage.

Select from a variety of kits. Each Inspection Kit contains a PosiTector gage body (Standard or Advanced) and 3 probes – coating thickness, environmental and surface profile, as well as accessories, in a convenient hard shell carrying case.

www.defelsko.com

 

Kremlin Rexson PU3000 Plural Component Electro- Mechanical Mixing Equipment

EXEL North America is pleased to introduce the New Kremlin Rexson PU3000.

The PU3000 incorporates a unique “Plug and Play” concept for mixing two component paints. The patented “Pulse Free Control” technology delivers pulsation free performance for improved quality of mixing and application. Electronic, variable-ratio pumps ensure accurate, reliable mixing and controlled fluid delivery. The control panel can be remote mounted or machine mounted.

On average, the PU3000 will save or add about 50 minutes of production time each day. The PU3000 will reduce material waste and facilitate faster clean-up, which significantly lowers operational costs.

EXEL also offers a PU3000PH unit specifically designed for acid catalyzed materials. The PU3000 is great for applying primers and top coats to metal, plastics and wood.

www.exel-na.com

 

Arkema Coating Resins introduces Celocor opaque polymer for partial replacement of TiO2

Arkema Coating Resins has introduced Celocor opaque polymer, a voided latex product that imparts hiding and functions as a partial replacement for titanium dioxide (TiO2). Compared to competitive opacifiers with similar functionality, Celocor opaque polymer offers a more balanced approach to performance attributes such as tint strength, gloss development, burnish resistance and scrub resistance.

“We recognize that the cost and availability of TiO2 are among the most important issues that coatings formulators are facing today,” Eric Kaiser, Global Marketing Director for Arkema Coating Resins, explained. “Celocor opaque polymer gives paint developers more formulating options in their approach to TiO2 reduction.”

Celocor opaque polymer provides an effective way to reduce raw material costs and improve hiding in a wide range of products, including interior or exterior coatings from flat to semigloss. Additionally, this product meets the standards of Arkema Coating Resins EnVia program and is designed to help formulators achieve their sustainability and regulatory goals in finished coating products. Celocor opaque polymer has low odour, contains no added Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylate (APE) surfactants or formaldehyde and is compatible with low VOC (0-50 g/l) formulations.

“Everything we do is based around the needs of the formulator,” Kaiser said. “In speaking with our customers, we found that they are very interested in having more options for TiO2 reduction while maintaining a good balance of performance attributes in their products. Our new Celocor opaque polymer meets that need.”

 

Breakthrough process emits no VOCs

InnoVoc Solutions, a division of Gordon Composites, Inc. has announced the availability of breakthrough technology for powder coating plastics, composites and other non-conductive substrates. This licensed technology makes non-metallic substrates temporarily conductive using a surface treatment that emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other hazardous byproducts.

Innovoc Solutions technology provides:

• A hard finish that is typically tougher than conventional liquid paint and can improve the performance and durability of plastics and composites

• Low-cost processing for automated in-line coating and batch-booth quantities

• Composite parts that can be used adjacent to powder-coated metal parts, such as appliance handles and automotive parts

 

Polyurethane dispersions are an important element in a coating formulator’s toolkit

Keeping pace with the coating industry’s evolving demands requires ongoing product development. Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) are an important part of the toolkit formulators can use to develop products for the architectural, industrial and special purpose coatings markets.

PUDs are noted for their ability to provide good film hardness, varying degrees of flexibility, durability, solvent resistance, chemical resistance and water resistance. By using PUDs, formulators are able to obtain coatings properties that would not be possible if other types of resins were used. Formulators can achieve different coatings properties by varying the type of PUD chosen.

Dr. Raymond Stewart, senior scientist, Coatings, Adhesives & Specialties business development, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, tested a variety of waterborne PUDs, comparing the resulting coatings tack-free time; pencil hardness; water, scratch and abrasion resistance; as well as their elongation at the break.

 

Advances in waterborne paint resins increase coatings’ mettle

It is possible to achieve outstanding corrosion resistance for metal surfaces with waterborne paint resins. Kathy Allen, technology manager; Margaret Kendi, associate research scientist; and Peter Schmitt, senior technology manager, Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties, all of Bayer MaterialScience LLC, tested the corrosion resistance of metals coated with waterborne paint resins. In a paper they discuss what makes a successful coating for metal worth its mettle? It must adhere to the substrate, withstand weather and prevent corrosion. To ensure a successful coating system, several elements must be considered:

• The coating and surface need to be compatible;
• The substrate must be prepared properly; and
• The coating has to be applied at the proper thickness, in the correct manner and given the appropriate amount of cure time.

Paints based on one-component (1K) waterborne polyurethanes (PUDs) can protect metal surfaces and keep them looking good for an extended period of time. Paints based on 1K PUDs provide outstanding corrosion resistance along with excellent solvent and abrasion resistance.

The paper reviewed the chemistry of PUDs, demonstrated the flexibility of PUD technology and the effect of polymer makeup on corrosion resistance. Testing was done on 1K waterborne polyurethane and waterborne polyacrylate resins on metal after a variety of pre-treatments with and without a primer. Two-component waterborne polyurethane studies showed that good corrosion resistance can be achieved with the proper choice of co-reactants when these systems are applied directly on treated steel panels. Furthermore, testing showed waterborne polyurethane formulations without primer can provide a better combination of adhesion, humidity resistance and corrosion resistance than the other commercially available systems that were tested. The authors discovered that waterborne polyacrylates provide inferior corrosion-resistance properties when compared with polyurethane resins. However, their testing showed it is possible to protect metal surfaces using a blend of polyurethane and polyacrylate, but at least 50 per cent of the formulation must be polyurethane to achieve good corrosion-resistance properties.

 

Elcometer NDT

As part of their continuing growth strategy Elcometer, global leaders in equipment for the corrosion inspection industry have launched a comprehensive range of ultrasonic thickness gauges and flaw detectors.

Under the Elcometer NDT brand name the range includes both corrosion and precision thickness gauges plus hand-held mini-flaw detectors, together with over 650 transducers & accessories to meet the exacting demands of the industry.

All Elcometer NDT Products are high quality, rugged and water resistant and manufactured in the USA by Elcometer.

www.elcometerndt.com.