There’s a tremendous amount of technology that goes into a “Can of Paint” – more so than most other chemical industry end use products. This course will give an overview of the Paint and Coatings industry including core fundamentals with respect to performance and key raw materials including chemistry, mechanism and application. This course is designed for research and development as well as business area personnel engaged in all aspects of paints and coatings including architectural paints, industrial coatings and special purpose/maintenance finishes. While targeted for formulating chemists, it is also well suited for marketing, sales, production and customer service personnel and, particularly, to newcomers to the industry. Managers and supervisors would also benefit from this course by having a better understanding, and appreciation, of the paint and coatings industry.

Course Outline

• The Purpose of Paints and Coatings
• Industry Overview including Major Producers and Suppliers
• The Coating Production Process
• Chemistry of Polymers, Liquids, Pigments, and Additives
• Application Methods
• Performance Properties
• Test Methods

Course instructor: Sam Morell, www.samMorell.com

Developing new products can be a daunting, complex process. In order to formulate new products that are highly successful in the marketplace there are some very important steps that need to be taken that are sometimes overlooked. This presentation will take you through the ideal process that will result in happy, repeat customers. Those who are new to research and development will learn useful tips and tricks; experienced formulators and lab managers will pick up some advanced level advice. Learn the pitfalls to avoid to successfully formulate new products every time. If you are a formulator or manage formulators who develop new coatings, adhesives and other chemical products, this presentation is for you.

Attendees Will Learn:

• How to Develop New Coatings, Adhesives and Similar Products from Scratch
• Formulation Software
• Intellectual Property Considerations
• Formulating to Cost Targets
• Formulation & Testing Techniques
• Testing with Customers
• Pitfalls To Avoid
• Ideal for Entry-Level Formulators, Advanced Formulators and Lab Managers

Course instructor: Paul Lewis, President of E2C

In this course we will look at the raw materials that are commonly used in architectural coatings. We will also cover properties required for these coatings and how to test them. The raw materials will cover the four main groups of raw materials: Resins/binders, additives, solvents and pigments. Also covered will be formulating strategies to optimize the rheology of the coating and lower VOCs.

Course instructor: Michael Praw, Indorama Ventures

Keeping it Cool: The Art and Science of Formulating Low-Temperature-Cure Powder Coatings

This course will focus on the formulation of low-temperature powder coatings that cure at temperatures that don’t compromise the integrity of heat-sensitive substrates. Participants will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of powder coating formulation, raw material selection, and the state of the art for low-temperature-cure technology.

The course will cover key topics such as:

• Understanding heat-sensitive substrates and their unique challenges
• Selection of resins, curing agents, and additives for low-temperature applications
• Application of powder coatings to heat-sensitive substrates
• Comparison of thermal cure vs. radiation cure
• Formulating for performance based on end-use application

While a brief overview of powder coatings will be provided, it is expected that participants have at least a basic understanding of powder coating technology and commonly used resin systems.

Course instructor: Nathan Biller and Eric Casebolt

One of the most challenging objectives to paint and coating formulators is to ensure a compatible and stable dispersion of pigments, fillers and matting agents. In time, particles can re-agglomerate, due to intermolecular attractive forces, and even hard settle because of specific weight. An understanding of the pigment dispersion process along with the wide array of wetting and dispersing agents available is helpful to achieve optimum color development and stability. Topics covered will include chemistry, theory, mechanism and concepts including the electric double layer, DLVO theory, depletion flocculation, dispersant types and optimum dispersant concentration, as well as “grinding” equipment. While targeted to formulating chemists, this course is also well suited for marketing, sales, production and customer service personnel. Managers and supervisors would also benefit by having a better understanding, and appreciation, of the important role wetting and dispersing agent play to the production of quality paints and coatings.

Course Outline:

• Equipment Used to Produce Colorants
• Components of a Colorant Formulation
• The Pigment Dispersion Process
• Pigment Stabilization Mechanisms
• Electric Double Layer and the DLVO Theory
• Optimum Dispersant Concentrations
• Wetting/Dispersing Agent Types and Chemistry

Course instructor: Sam Morell, www.samMorell.com

The trend towards waterborne polymers in the paint and coatings industry is clear; highlighting their environmentally friendly nature, regulatory considerations, growing market demand, and meeting sustainability goals.

This course will initially review the types of monomers commonly used in waterborne polymers along with an understanding of the emulsion polymerization process. We’ll subsequently dive into film formation and the many factors that influence the glass transition temperature, or Tg, and the minimum film formation temperature, or MFFT, including monomer composition, polymer particle size, coalescing agents, hydroplasticization, application temperature, etc.

Participants will have acquired a foundation in waterborne polymers and film formation enabling them to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly and high-performance coatings in line with industry standards and market demands.

While targeted to formulating chemists, this course is also well suited for marketing, sales, production, and customer service personnel. Managers and supervisors would also benefit by having a better understanding, and appreciation, of the important role that waterborne polymers and film formation play in the production of environmentally friendly and quality paints and coatings.

Course Outline:

• Overview
• Monomers
• Polymer Design
• Emulsion Polymerization
• Film Formation
• Tg and MFFT

Course instructor: Sam Morell, www.samMorell.com

In this course we will cover strategies to maximize the performance of industrial coatings systems. We will highlight raw materials and how they affect the physical properties such as corrosion resistance, adhesion, the balance on hardness and flexibility… We will cover the main raw materials used in industrial coatings (resins/binders, pigments, solvents and additives) and formulation methods to achieve the optimum balance of properties. Also covered will be cure mechanisms and how to optimize resin choice.

Course instructor: Michael Praw, Indorama Ventures

While matte finish coatings continue to gain popularity, gloss reduction in powder coating applications can be quite complex and differs from the methods used in liquid coatings. In this course, the various formulation techniques used in the development of low gloss and matte finish powder coatings for interior and exterior applications will be discussed.

The course will cover key topics such as:

• Challenges with traditional methods of reducing gloss that are commonly used in liquid coatings
• Theories on mechanisms for gloss reduction in powder coatings
• Formulation techniques for interior and exterior applications
• One-shot vs. dry blending and the advantages and limitations of each

While a brief overview of powder coatings will be provided, it is expected that participants have at least a basic understanding of powder coating technology and commonly used resin systems.

Course instructor: Nathan Biller and Eric Casebolt

Pigments are one of the most critical components in paints and coatings, providing not only color but also contributing to various functional properties such as opacity, UV resistance, and corrosion protection. This short course is designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the role of pigments in modern paints and coatings. The course will cover the chemistry, classification, and performance characteristics of various types of pigments, including organic and inorganic pigments, effect pigments, and extender pigments. Participants will explore how pigments interact with other components in paint formulations, their influence on coating performance, and key considerations for selecting the appropriate pigments for different applications. By the end of the course, participants will have a solid foundation in pigment science, enabling them to make informed decisions in the formulation and application of paints and coatings.

Course Outline:

• Coating Production
• Science of Optics
• Pigment Types
• Dispersion Process
• Pigment Performance
• Pigment Selection Criteria

Course instructor: Sam Morell, www.samMorell.com

The surfactants course reviews various types of commercially available surfactants and their chemical structures, as well the role of chemical bonding in relation to surface tension. The course allows professionals to gain a better understanding of various surface activities including:

• Surface area
• Surface tension
• Surface pressure
• Wetting
• Surface transport
• Micelle formation

The course dives into the world of foam, addressing how surface active agents stabilize and destabilize 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.