Academic Research in Coatings
Networking Event, 19-20 September, Oxford, England
Event Programme
Note: The organisers reserve the right to change papers and speakers,
if necessary.
Wednesday 19 September, 09.00 - 17.15
09.00 - 10.00: Registration at the Manor Road Building
10.00 - 11.45: Guided Tour of the City (optional)
Meet at the Porter's Lodge, St Catherine's College. The tour will include entry
to Trinity College and New College.
Please book your place on the tour well in advance.
11.45 – 12.30: Registration at the Manor Road Building
12.45 – 13.40: Lunch at St Catherine’s College
13.45 – 14.00: Welcome and Introduction
Co-chairmen: Jonathan Bourne, M.D., PRA, UK &
Dr. R Stephen Davidson, Emeritus Professor of Applied Chemistry
University of Kent
14.00 – 17.15: Presentations
1. Materials Research in the EU’s Framework Programme
European-Commission Directorate-General for Research
Mr Jose-Lorenzo Vallés (or designate), Head of Unit G3
2. Research Needs – The View From a Raw Material Supplier
Eastman Chemical Company, USA
Dr Robert J. Clemens, Vice-President Technology
Most research and development activities are accomplished through
academia and industry, and are strongly influenced by the government
agencies and consumers that ultimately fund the work. This talk
explores the interdependence of academia and industry in this process of
discovery and commercialization, especially as related to coatings, with
an emphasis on places where deliberate interaction makes the most sense.
The author concludes with some suggestions for establishing productive
and satisfying academic/industrial relationships.
3. YKI Institute for Surface Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
Dr Anders Larsson, Area Manager Coatings
The presentation of YKI, Institute for Surface Chemistry will
first briefly describe how YKI works with its customers and try to
apply surface chemistry in many different industrial fields.
One consequence of this approach is that methods and processes
well established in one industrial sector effectively can be
transferred to other sectors.
Traditionally the Swedish research institutes have been very small
and fragmented. Nowadays clustering of the institutes occurs into
fewer and larger groups. YKI clustered with SP Swedish Technical
Research Institute and became a daughter company as of 1 January 2006. The coating activities within the SP group are networking heavily and the group decided to form the Scandinavian Coatings Center (SCC) with its web page www.sp.se/scc. SCC has a huge instrument park, unique technology platforms and dedicated researchers to meet the needs of the coatings industry today and tomorrow. The Scandinavian Coatings Center wishes to collaborate and network with other leading institutions in Europe to provide the coatings industry in Europe and around the globe with a competitive edge.
The research at YKI during the early 1990s focussed on formulating
paints in water instead of using the traditional solvents.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s the focus was to understand
the more complex film formation behaviour of these systems and
understand the consequences on properties. Presently we try to
optimise the performance of paints and coatings by the following
approaches:
(i) controlled and extended delivery of biocides using mesoporous
particles as carriers;
(ii) control film formation to distribute additives in a coating
film at will;
(iii) co-operate with instrument manufacturers to improve
productivity in coating laboratories;
(iv) optimise performance of coatings using
environmentally-friendly components.
Break for tea/coffee
4. Université de Haute Alsace, Mulhouse, France
Dr Céline Croutxé-Barghorn, Assistant Professor
Department of Photochemistry
Radiation curing in organic photopolymers has proved its value
in terms of high technical performance with both ecological and
economic advantages. Understanding and controlling the photochemical
processes both in time and space represent the research in the
Department of Photochemistry for more than thirty years.
Conventional lights and laser beams induce photochemical processes
in polymeric materials concerned with many applications in the
Radiation Curing area such as coatings, paints, varnishes,
adhesives, inks, in the photopatterning area such as
computer-to-plate technology, printed circuit board and
semi-conductors, three dimensional machining, optical elements
and optoelectronic devices... Although all these applications
are based on a very limited set of primary reactions, the huge
amount of photosensitive systems, monomers and resins, the
technical and economical constraints as well as the need of
innovations make the development of photopolymers very
challenging and competitive.
With a scientific and technical staff of about 40 persons the
Department of Photochemistry investigates most of the different
technical applications of photopolymers and collaborates with
companies from all over the word. Different approaches have
been adopted over the years to solve both academic and
industrial problems related to photopolymers. The investigation of
the molecular details governing the polymerization reaction is of
great importance. This is achieved by developing new laser
spectroscopy techniques that allow the investigation of
excited states and primary processes involved in the different
(photo-)chemical reactions. Development of coatings and
varnishes represent an important research activity that has
recently taken advantage of dual-cure or water-based systems,
powder coating and hybrid organic / inorganic resins.
Applications of photopolymers to the optical field are also
investigated by developing photopolymeric holographic
recording materials, photoinduced refractive index gratings
and focusing on polymer nanolithography.
The Department of Photochemistry has become an important help
for industries by proposing and formulating innovative
photosensitive systems. The synergy between university and
industry has always been a strong interest of this lab.
The activities focus on know-how transfer and range from
basic research to industrial achievements.
5. Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
Dr Roberta Bongiovanni, Associate Professor
Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
In the last years nanostructured coatings have been receiving wide
interest for their good mechanical properties (including scratch and
abrasion resistance), their low permeability and thermal resistance.
Also the improvement of the surface characteristics of the coatings,
such as adhesion, water and oil repellency, has always been a major
goal in this field.
The present paper will discuss how the UV-curing technique is
suitable both for preparing organic-inorganic films and for the
selective surface modification of the systems. In the first part of
the speech one will illustrate the preparation of nanostructured
coatings either by dispersion of particles suitably modified (
silica, titania nanoparticles or zirconia clusters) or by creating
in situ inorganic nanodomains by sol-gel process in the presence of
an inorganic precursor (alkoxysilanes or alkoxytitanates). Epoxy and
acrylic systems will be described; the use of hyperbranched
structures in UV-curable matrices will also be mentioned.
In the second part of the talk the tailoring of the surfaces will be
presented, with reference to the enhancement of the adhesion and to the
obtaining of hydrophobic and oleophobic materials, mainly using
perfluoropolyether acrylates and hyperbranched fluorinated monomers.
6. Materials Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Dr Heming Wang, Research Fellow
Organic-inorganic hybrid sol-gel coatings are of increasing
interest in industry due to their potential widespread applications.
A brief outline of the very recent developments undertaken within
our research laboratory of the different sol gel
coating/pre-treatment systems will be presented. Sol-gel coatings
offer alternatives to existing anti-corrosion coatings to improve
the corrosion resistance of steel, aluminium alloys or other metals.
Sol-gel thick coatings can be applied by varying the
inorganic/organic ratio and doping various inorganic micro or
nano-particles such as Al2O3, TiO2, and ZrO2, which increases
the hardness and the scratch-resistance of the coatings compared
with organic coatings. Sol-gel coatings are transparent generally;
however, colour coatings can be obtained by doping various pigments
such as carbon black. Sol-gel coatings also provide an
environmentally-friendly alternative pre-treatment to that
Cr (IV)-based system on substrates such as aluminium, magnesium,
and steel. Functionality can be incorporated into the formulation,
for example anti-bacterial properties, hydrophobic surface or
varying electrical conductivity. Current problems or future
developments in sol-gel coatings may also be addressed.
19.00: Reception at Oriel College
19.30: Conference Dinner in Hall, Oriel College
Conference Programme Day 2
Thursday September 20
09.00 – 12.15 Presentations
7. Research Needs – The View From a Paint Company
Beckers Industrial Coatings, UK
Dr Garnett Simmons, Development Manager
Paint is a complex "preparation" (according to the REACH legislation)
it is a formulated blend of polymers, dispersed solid particles of
pigments and fillers; catalysts and performance enhancing additives;
and (usually) a carrier fluid based on either water or organic solvent.
Most of these components are proprietory industrial products of
undisclosed and sometimes imprecise composition, and in a complex
formulation the drying/curing reactions are far from straightforward.
To add further complexity the paint is never judged in isolation, but in
how it performs its functions of protection and decoration of a surface.
This requires a knowledge of the substrate and its interface / interphase
with the coating, as well as interactions with the atmosphere at the
outer surface.
In this situation it is no longer sufficient to develop and control
coating formulations by the old ad hoc processes.
In addition to the knowledge of "how to make paint" we need to
collect sound scientific data in a very wide range of specialist
areas, including - Polymer Science - Chemistry, Physics and
Mechanics Fracture Mechanics, Photochemisty and its activity in
curing and degradation mechanisms, Chemistry and Physics of
Surfaces - Analysis by XPS; ToFSIMS etc. Fine particle dispersions
- Colloids Knowledge of Substrates - Metallurgy,Wood; Plastics,
The Science behind Corrosion of different substrates in different
environments, Electrochemical assessment of corrosion protection,
Colour Measurement, Prediction and Correction, "Cure"
measurement - beyond a calibrated "thumb" Nanoparticles / fibres / tubes and potentially lots of...."things we
don't know we don't know" for the coatngs of the future
The Coatings industry needs high tech expertise, knowledge and
equipment, and no individual company can possibly have everything
"in house". Our interface with Universities and Academia is not
an intellectual indulgence, it's vital to our future.
We need to work closely together
8. Forschungsinstitut fuer Pigmente und Lacke e.V., Stuttgart, Germany
Prof. Dr. Claus D. Eisenbach,Head of FPL and
Director of the Institute for Polymer Chemistry
9. Industrial Chemistry Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
Maria Zielecka, Head of Inorganic and Organic Silicon Compounds Group
The most important directions of research on advanced coating materials
in ICRI / Centre POLMATIN are focused on nanomaterials containing
silicon compounds, silicone coatings for protection of building
materials, inorganic-organic hybrid dispersions systems, new generation
of polyurethane thickeners, uv-curable aqueous dispersion, high solids
and powder coatings. The Centre has long-lasting experience in the
field of synthesis, characterisation and application of advanced
polymeric materials with excellent properties, including binders for
coatings, sealants and adhesives, engineered materials, nanocomposites.
Polymers investigated in the Centre involve mainly engineering
plastics, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyester resins and silicones.
The research potential of ICRI / Centre POLMATIN in the coatings area
as well as the experience in international cooperation in this field
will be presented. The substantial thematic activity of the Centre
is devoted to research projects on synthesis and characterisation of
advanced polymeric materials that represent potential application
value. The special attention will be paid to commercialized technologies
of coating materials developed in ICRI during last years.
Break for tea/coffee
10. Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
Dr Milena Spirkova, Senior Research Fellow
This lecture will be aimed at complex epoxy-based
organic - inorganic (O-I) hybrid nanocomposite coatings being
characterized by high degree of self-assembly of in-situ formed
nanometer-size inorganic structures. Due to nano-scaled inorganic
domains the transparent and colorless products arise. Ways of their
preparation creating either in the form of coatings or free-standing
films will be summarized. Reaction conditions for optimizing of
overall process of preparation will be outlined. The complex
characterization of 'bulk' properties (i.e. features characterizing
the material as an integer) and surface attributes will cover the
area from molecular up to macroscopic size. Relevant scattering,
microscopy and spectroscopy methods in the connection with
mechanical analysis will be used for this purpose. The study of
utility properties of O-I coatings for pertinent practical
applications make the integral part of the contribution. The
influence of nanoadditives differing in size, composition, shape and
concentration on the preparation process and on final coating
properties will be discussed as well.
11. Dutch Polymer Institute, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Dr John A. E. H. van Haare, DPI Program Coordinator of the Coatings Technology Area
and
Prof. Dr. Claus D. Eisenbach, Scientific Chairman CT Area
The Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI) is a public-private partnership
foundation established by industry, universities and Dutch government
set up to perform exploratory pre-competitive research in the area of
polymer science and engineering. DPI operates at the interface of
universities and industry, linking the scientific skills of university
research groups to industrial needs for innovation.
The DPI was founded in 1997 initially starting with 9 Dutch based
multinational chemical companies and 4 main universities.
During 10 years of continuous growth the DPI strongly grew toward a
European institute with at the moment 36 industrial partners and 34
university partners all around Western Europe. Besides Corporate
Research DPI now explores 7 technology areas that are at the focal
interest of the industrial members, namely Polyolefins, Performance
Polymers, Coatings Technology, Functional Polymer Systems,
High-Throughput Experimentation, Bio-Inspired Polymers, and
Large Area Thin Film Electronics. In the meanwhile DPI has grown to a
mature institute recognized as the expert institute on polymer
science and technology for closing the gap between academic
knowledge and industrial innovations. Furthermore, the extensive
expertise network of the DPI is frequently used by SMEs for assistance
in the development of new plastic based products. Therefore, the DPI
established a new spin-off called DPI Value Centre dedicated to
valorization of polymer science by creating and assisting start-up
companies, building consortia for further development and helping
SMEs with understanding specific polymer processing issues and
development of new products.
12.15 – 12.25 Closing Remarks
END OF NETWORKING EVENT
