International Paint LLC, an Akzo Nobel company, has introduced two new ultra-low VOC 100 g/l coatings formulated specifically for the new construction and industrial maintenance and repair markets. Under development for more than two years, Interthane™ 2100 polyurethane finish and Interseal® 1100 surface tolerant epoxy reportedly deliver unprecedented performance and applicability, while meeting the strict 100 g/l air emission standard as set forth by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

A new coating system being made available for the Army's use to paint aircraft and other equipment performs better than the standard system - and it is safer to human health and the environment. This breakthrough comes after two years of research and testing conducted by the Connecticut Army National Guard at its 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) on trivalent chromium-based primers and sealers.

A specially formulated four-coat polyurethane system is ensuring a long-lasting, quality appearance, as well as superb corrosion resistance, on a 1.5 million gallon water steel storage tank built by the Municipal Authority of the Township of Robinson (MATR), near Pittsburgh, PA. The massive hydropillar consists of a fluted cylindrical column with an elevated storage tank.

Robert R. Matheson, Jr., Ph.D., has joined the Scientific Advisory Board of Ecology Coatings, Inc. as its chairman. Matheson, technical manager for DuPont™ Tyvek®, has a distinguished career spanning decades in macromolecular physics, coating materials and processes, lifecycle assessment and organic material science.

A Deerfield Beach, FL licensee of Steadfast Holdings Group, Inc. has entered into an agreement with Modern Boat Services of Deerfield Beach, to test Steadfast's proprietary protective coating on boat hulls and other surfaces exposed to salt water and the extreme marine environment. The success of the test could affect how boat hulls are protected in the future.

Continental Airlines has received an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) Program in recognition of the airline's use of an environmentally friendly, non-chromium surface pretreatment for its aircraft. Continental is the first commercial air carrier to use this technology on its aircraft, using a product called PreKote, produced by Pantheon Chemical.

Wood alternatives like wood plastic composites, cement fiber and vinyl substrates have made considerable inroads in many construction applications. In the field, each has its advantages over wood; however, some also are susceptible to the same deterioration caused by weathering and use patterns that plague wood. Recently, new UV-cure coatings and application techniques are being perfected that might dramatically enhance the field performance of these alternative materials.

Tests conducted by ASTM have shown that trivalent chromium deposits perform better than standard hexavalent chromium deposits, better than microcracked hexavalent chromium deposits and as good as microporous hexavalent chromium deposits. The field performance of trivalent chromium has confirmed these results. With the recent move away from hexavalent chromium due to employee safety concerns and environmental regulations, trivalent chromium deserves a closer look as a decorative plating option.

Conventional plastic finishing methods often require people to handle each part before and after it is coated, which increases labor costs. Additionally, while coating material costs are relatively low, the large amount of waste from overspray increases the amount of coating required to complete the finishing process and can dramatically reduce profitability. Recently, a new tumble spraying system* was developed to eliminate these parts coating issues and help manufacturers of plastic products regain their competitive edge.

Aside from camouflaged ATVs and hunting gear, the average American doesn’t have much need for (or access to) military coating technology. While the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground routinely assesses Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARCs), most folks just don’t need a paint that withstands the rigors of these exotic materials. And while laser-invisible stealth coatings might be handy for a hot-footed teenage speedster, he is not likely to get his hands on that technology any time soon. Recently, however, I discovered that my world and the military world have in common my favorite acronym: UV.