Surfactants and Rheology: Chemistry, Theory, Mechanism and Application (Zoom course 3/26/26)
Product Details
To register, click "add to cart" and proceed to payment
This zoom course will run March 26, 2026, 1:00-4:00 PM EST
This three-hour short course on “Surfactants and Rheology: Chemistry, Theory, Mechanism and Application” initially reviews the various types and chemical structures of commercially available surfactants. We then dive into an understanding of the role of inter-atomic and inter-molecular attractive forces as it relates to surface tension. The course progresses to a better understanding of various surface activities including surface area, surface tension, surface pressure, wetting, surface transport and micelle formation. We will explore the world of foam with respect to how surface active agents stabilize and de-stabilize bubbles at the surface or as entrained air. Finally, a review of surfactants as an aid to the dispersion process and the measurements of surface tension in both static and dynamic conditions.
The second part reviews the basic principles of rheology including its definition and its influencers - chemical structure, morphology, and environmental conditions. The impact by various deformation forces including compression, tension, torque, and, particularly, shear will be reviewed to demonstrate the resulting flow profiles of viscosity as a function of shear and time. The chemistry and ancestry of current rheological agents will help clarify the appropriate selection of products for various formulation types including waterborne, solventborne, aliphatic, aromatic, and polar systems.
While targeted to formulating chemists, this course is also well suited for marketing, sales, and production personnel. Managers and supervisors would also benefit by having a better understanding, and appreciation, of the important role surfactants and rheology play to the production, storage, transport, and application of quality paints and coatings.
Course Outline
- Definition, Surfactant Types and Structures
- The Influence of Atomic Bonds and Molecular Attractive Forces on Interfaces
- Surface Activity including Surface Tension/Pressure/Transport and Micelle Formation
- Foam Stabilization and De-Stabilization
- The Role of Surfactants in the Dispersion Process
- Surface Tension Measuring Methods
- Introduction/Definition of Rheology
- Essential Elements of Rheology
- Stress and Deformation Forces
- Viscosity and Flow Profiles
- Rheological Agent Types
- Rheological Agent Chemistry
- Measuring Methods
- Review
Course Instructor
Sam Morell is a Chemical Engineering graduate of New York University. With over 50 years in the Chemicals industry, his experience includes both technical and marketing positions at Rohm and Haas, BASF, and Air Products and Chemicals. Mr. Morell has authored numerous technical articles on additives, pigments, and resins in various publications including PCI Magazine, Modern Paint and Coatings, The American Ink Maker, and Adhesives Age. He has been invited by various domestic and international industry symposiums, as well as Fortune 500 companies, to present both technical papers and educational courses. These include The American Coatings Show, The Waterborne Symposium, The European Coatings Show, and Coatings Trends and Technologies.