Bayer MaterialScience LLC Scientist Leads Tutorial Short Course on UV Cure Coatings at Annual FOCUS Conference
Course explored UV cure coatings in depth, highlighting the latest technologies and techniques
Pittsburgh, May 26, 2009 - As the quickest method for curing coatings, ultraviolet (UV) curing is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the coatings industry. UV cure coating is being used in place of conventional high-heat processing as OEMs increasingly desire fast and cost-effective curing that also offers a high-performance finish. In addition, UV cure coatings are more environmentally friendly, as they do not require the use of solvents, which are necessary with other coating systems. Bayer MaterialScience LLC, a leader in developing specialized raw materials and new technologies for UV cure coating, demonstrated its expertise at the 34th annual FOCUS (Future of Coatings Under Study) Conference.
Sponsored by the Detroit Society for Coatings Technology, the conference took place at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in Troy, Mich., and was an educational event for coatings formulators, manufacturers, end users, raw material and equipment suppliers, educators and students.
Michael Dvorchak, strategic UV specialist, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, led a tutorial entitled "UV Cure Coating: A Primer" at the FOCUS Conference. Because of the environmental benefits of UV cure coatings, the tutorial was ideal for the conference theme, "Clean, Green & Lean: The New Reality."
Dvorchak's tutorial was broken into two parts, the first highlighting basic UV cure coatings technology and the second focusing more on advanced UV cure coatings technology.
Part I highlighted the issues of surface inhibition on free radical chemistries and techniques to limit the problem. Dvorchak also examined UV light sources, including full spectrum UV light sources, UVA light sources in automotive and industrial settings, fluorescent UV lights and UVA LEDs (light emitting diodes). Part I also discussed the technique of curing highly pigmented UV cure coatings, among other techniques.
Part II of the tutorial focused on more advanced UV cure coating systems and explored the development of UV dual cure two-component polyurethanes and their application in the automotive industry. The tutorial finished with a discussion of the "greenest of the green" coatings technologies, water and high molecular weight polymers, and how they are formulated and applied across different markets.
"The advancing technologies behind UV cure coating and the combination of benefits they offer are allowing them to expand into more market segments," explained Dvorchak, who also said the short curing time needed for the UV coatings means higher productivity for the coating process as a whole. "Bayer MaterialScience is a leader in UV coating technologies with our oligomers and polyurethane dispersions, and I'm honored to have presented at FOCUS on the many benefits of this innovative technology."
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.
Contact:
Tom Erdner, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: thomas.erdner@bayerbms.com
For more information about coatings, adhesives or specialties, call 412-777-3983, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
