Bayer Materialscience Scientist Highlighted Innovative Accelerated Weathering Tester for Exterior Wood Coatings
Pittsburgh, May 8, 2008 -- Coatings for exterior millwork, which includes exterior siding, decks and doors, require distinct performance properties - excellent light stability, high flexibility, and freeze/thaw cycling properties - to name a few. New Waterborne (WB) UV-Curing co-solvent free Polyurethane Dispersions (PUDs) provide excellent exterior weathering properties, high flexibility, enhanced water resistance, and improved adhesion to difficult substrates such as wood and plastic. The unique curing capabilities of WB UV PUDs, their attributes and performance properties, as well as weathering results using an innovative accelerated weathering tester designed to simulate outdoor weathering of exterior wood coatings, was the focus of a presentation by a Bayer MaterialScience scientist at the recent RadTech UV/EB Technology Conference & Expo 2008, May 4-7, Lakeside Center at McCormick Place in Chicago.
"Accelerated Weathering of Wood Coatings by QUV-A with Direct Water Spray" was presented by Robert Wade, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, during the conference's Wood Coatings session.
"Accelerated weathering of coatings for wood by QUV-A with direct water spray closely approximates natural weathering," explained Wade. "This method simulates the erosion and cleaning typical for exterior coated wood, increases the moisture content of the wood above what is typically found in accelerated test procedures and subjects the coating to a much greater thermal shock than condensation methods," continued Wade, who discussed the performance of various exterior wood coatings, specifically sunshine-curing coatings, under this modified QUV test method.
Wade emphasized that the environmental benefits of waterborne UV-curing PUDs should not be overlooked. "Environmental regulations are continually changing to reduce both plant emissions and VOCs of formulated coatings," explained Wade. "Of the broad variety of products that have been commercialized in the wood coatings market over the last decade, the most promising environmentally friendly technology of these systems is waterborne UV-curing PUDs."
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 15,400 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4 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. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience - Where VisionWorks.
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800 at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability.
Contact:
Thomas Erdner, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: thomas.erdner@bayerbms.com
For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's polyurethane coating technology, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
