Coatings World - April 2011

of the polymer chain growth chemistry, distributions are typi-
cally broad with both very short and very long chains being pro-
duced. Living/controlled radical polymerization (L/CRP)
provides a relatively straightforward means to prepare polymers
with narrow molecular weight distributions, specialized archi-
tectures such as di- or tri-block copolymers and functionalized
polymers. While L/CRP was originally perceived as a somewhat
esoteric, complex and expensive process, increased understand-
ing of the polymerization chemistry coupled with recent devel-
opments, particularly in waterborne systems, have created a
myriad of opportunities for commercial exploitation of L/CRP
chemistry in the coatings area.”
This year there were sessions related to waterborne, nano,
emulsion, additives, corrosion, UV and pigments. The water-
borne session began with “Waterborne Polyurethane Coatings
used in Direct to Metal Applications” presented by Peter Schmitt
of Bayer MaterialScience. “Polyurethane chemistry has been uti-
lized to produce a myriad of different coating products,” said
Schmitt. “Recent advances have been made in polyurethane dis-
persion chemistry for use in direct to metal coatings.” He then
went on describe the coating properties related to direct to metal
applications and discussed the results.

Linda Adamson of the Dow Chemical Company presented “Enabling High Performance Solvent-free Low Odor Architectural Coatings: A Comprehensive Approach.” “The technology pathways that lead to formulating high performance house paints with low odor and no added cosolvents or volatile coalescents are separate and can be at odds with each other,” said Adamson.

Eliminating strong odors from house paint, such as ammonia and some solvents does not by itself result in zero/near zero VOC. In addition, simply reducing the VOC content of binders, rheology modifiers and other paint components to very low levels, does not automatically result in low odor coatings. Until now performance compromises were often needed to achieve both targets simultaneously. Adamson discussed a comprehensive approach, bringing together the latest advances in odor reduction technology and the newest developments in binder design for zero/near-zero VOC coatings. “The careful combination of these advances results in solvent-free systems that achieve very low odor, without compromise in performance,” she said.

In addition to the main technical program, the Waterborne Symposium featured a Student Poster Session and Technology Showcase consisting of eighteen tabletop technical exhibits, including displays from Evonik Degussa Corp., Huntsman Advanced Materials, Clariant and Buhler.

The Symposium concluded with an awards presentation for the
best papers and student poster. The Best Student Poster Award was
presented to James Goetz of the University of Southern Mississippi
for his poster titled, “Effect of Crosslink Density on Barrier Prop-
erties in UV Cured, Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Networks.”
The Technical Excellence Award was given to Brian Bammel
of Henkel Corporation for his paper “Novel Non-Chrome Thin
Organic Hybrid Coating for Coil Steels.”
The Shelby F. Thames Best Paper Award was presented to
Linda Adamson of Dow Chemical Company for her paper “En-

The Shelby F. Thames Best Paper Award sponsored by the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials was presented by James W. Rawlins (right) of The University of Southern Mississippi to Linda Adamson of Dow Chemical Company for her paper, “Enabling High Performance Solvent-free Low Odor Architectural Coatings: A Comprehensive Approach.”

abling High Performance Solvent-free Low Odor Architectural
Coatings: A Comprehensive Approach.”
Next year’s Symposium will be held February 13-17 at the
New Orleans Marriott. CW

2012 Call for Papers

The School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at The University of Southern Mississippi has issued a call for papers for presentation at the 39th Annual International Waterborne Symposium, February 13-17, 2012 in New Orleans. Papers should relate to new and emerging technologies related to materials, processes, production, characterization, application and markets in the field of surface coatings. All papers should be original and represent recent advances in coatings science and related disciplines. Title, abstract and author’s names (speaker’s name underlined) should be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail no later than Aug. 15 to the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, The University of Southern Mississippi, Box 10063, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0063; 601.266.4475; Fax: 601.266.6265; E-mail: waterborne@usm.edu; Web: www.psrc.usm.edu/waterborne.