It is fortuitous for ship owners that compliance with the two pieces of IMO legislation can both be achieved by use of an effective copper-based antifouling coating on the underwater hull, along with careful in water cleaning when necessary, based on vessel type, usage and coating schedule.
Dow recently hosted a two-day media event at their Spring House Paint Farm and Collegeville, PA, sites where we toured the exposure farm and testing station, and had exclusive access to the R&D facilities where coatings research projects are underway.
Not only is an effective biocide package essential to producing a good product, but also the use and implementation of an effective plant hygiene program to coincide with the biocide package.
Using DPOS surfactants in emulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monomers may be a path to replace solventborne coatings and open up markets and applications for waterborne coatings, particularly on metals or on exterior surfaces.
With the reclassification of cobalt-based alkyd curing catalysts highly likely, research is ongoing to find transition metal ion alternatives that also boast improved safety and environmental profiles.
Highly fibrillated HDPE fiber is a remarkable additive for coatings. Laboratory testing has confirmed a number of interesting simultaneous benefits with which formulators can use to make improved coatings.
Only continuous, focused R&D in the development of wetting and dispersing additives will ensure that the current and future needs of our customers can be met.
More than 550 exhibitors displayed their latest developments in raw materials, laboratory and production equipment, testing and measuring equipment, and services for the coatings industry during the 2016 American Coatings Show.
Focusing on using the right type of additive to address a specific film defect will reduce the number of materials to test and not rely on trying many different chemicals in the hope of finding just the right pixie dust.