HATTIESBURG, MS - The School of Polymers and High-Performance Materials at The University of Southern Mississippi has announced its 2014 Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium short courses. Short courses are offered February 24-25, 2014, in New Orleans. 

“Introduction to Coatings Formulation” with Dr. Shelby F. Thames will provide entry-level chemists in the coatings industry an understanding of the principles involved in formulating coatings. The course will seek to provide a comprehensive understanding of pigments, resins, solvents, additives, formulations principles, calculations and manufacturing techniques applicable to the coatings industry. It is a general course covering major paint types presented at a fundamental technical level and is designed for entry-level chemists to the coatings industry.

“Reformulating to Waterborne Coatings” with Dr. Robson F. Storey will provide chemists in the coatings industry an understanding of the principles involved in reformulating systems to a waterborne system. This intensive, two-day course provides an introduction to the technology of waterborne coatings with an emphasis on the challenges encountered in converting existing solvent-borne coating systems to water. It consists of a series of lectures organized around various popular coating types including acrylic latex, polyester/alkyd, two-component polyurethane, polyurethane dispersion, epoxy, and silicone. Additional topics include the use of additives, pigments and pigment dispersion, and application methods for waterborne coatings. The course is designed for coating chemists and formulators and for persons interested in new applications for waterborne coatings.

Full program details, including abstracts and speaker information, are now available at www.waterbornesymposium.com.