Core paint and coatings manufacturing processes have remained largely unchanged since the dawn of the industry. Ingredients are mixed into a liquid (organic solvent or water), a process that is often followed by milling to achieve the correct particle size for products comprising dispersions. Despite this, the paint and coatings industry is very dynamic. Business trends, market demands, governmental regulations,...
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Direct-to-metal (DTM) coatings are designed to provide the performance of traditional primer–topcoat systems, but in one coat. As technologies for the development of DTM coatings have advanced and led to more desirable properties during application and in applied films, demand for these coatings has been increasing. As a result, while DTM coatings today still account for a small percentage of...
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Exterior surface coatings used in many applications can be exposed for long periods of time to cyclic exposure consisting of water submersion or local water surface puddling followed by water evaporation and solar exposure. Under such conditions, several macroscopic defects can appear including blistering, adhesion loss, soil pick-up, cracking, erosion, etc. However, quite often surface microscopic film defects can start...
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Infrared-(IR) based weaponry and surveillance systems utilizing the short-wave, mid-wave, and long-wave IR emissions produced by ambient to high-temperature surfaces are an existing and continually evolving threat to military platforms. The survivability and sustainability of aircraft, helicopters, ships, and land vehicles depend on adequate protection against these threats. IR emissions from an object can be reduced by the use of...
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Crosslinked networks, such as two-component polyurethanes, are used for numerous commercial applications because of their unique mechanical, thermal, and hydrocarbon resistant properties. However, the covalently bonded linkages in these materials are irreversible, which renders them difficult to degrade and destroy unless hazardous chemicals, mechanical abrasion, or thermal treatments are employed. Many of these treatments are labor-intensive, expensive, or present environmental...
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According to the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, 8 million metric tons of plastics enter the oceans each year, adding to the approximately 150 million metric tons that already present in global marine systems. Plastic has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtles species. With plastic production and consumption are predicted to double over...
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Insight into the state of the U.S. coatings industry is valuable for many—whether you are directly employed by paint and coatings companies or suppliers of specialty chemicals used within the industry; serve as an industry observer interested in correlating the health of the industry with similar enterprises in the specialty chemicals market space; work for an independent formulating and/or testing...
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Ensuring pedestrian safety is essential for successful communities. Pavement markings in combination with physical speed control devices, traffic lights, and street lighting are the main tools used to guide the safe interaction of pedestrians and drivers. Traditional pavement markings consist of various types of coatings applied to the roadway surface in the form of lines and words (stop, slow, etc.)....
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As outlined in the scope of the U.S. Market Analysis’ Chapter 10, Appliance Finishes, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) appliance finishes include powder coatings, coil coatings, and liquid coatings. Appliance finishes are used to protect and decorate interior and exterior plastic and most metal substrates (e.g., ranges, freezers, washers), heating equipment (furnaces), industrial furnaces and ovens, and air conditioning equipment. Stainless...
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