Tutorials
The FOCUS Tutorials return!
FOCUS 2022 is bringing back Tutorials for no extra fee. Although class size is limited to 30, attendees can sign up for one or more sessions that cover formulating or application.
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Mike Praw
Indorama Ventures
Formulating 101
Overview
This tutorial covers the basics of paint formulating and is targeted at students, beginning formulators, and paint users and engineers. We will be discuss the various raw materials in paints (solvents, resins, pigments and additives) and how and why different raw materials are chosen for specific applications. We will then go over paint definitions (VOC, HAPS, Gloss, pigment to binder ratio, PVC…) and finally work our way through a sample formulation procedure.
Biography
Born and raised in Montreal, Mike now lives in the Houston area. He has 35 years of coatings formulation experience, 18 years with coatings companies and 17 years with raw material suppliers. He is currently Technology Manager – Agrochemicals and Coatings, for Indorama Ventures: Integrated Oxides and Derivatives. He has Degrees in Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, as well as a MBA. Mike is Past President of The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology and the Piedmont Society for Coatings Technology and served on the board of The Chicago Society for Coatings Technology.
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Tim December
BASF
Oil in Water – The Challenge for Waterborne Coatings
Overview
In the early 20th century solventborne paints, like lacquer, were very common. However, by mid-century sociopolitical drivers would play a historical role for the development of waterborne coatings. This waterborne coating challenge would be met with innovative chemistry. We will explore the chemistry and process steps of creating organic binder resins for waterborne coatings.
Topics include: Comparison of step growth and chain polymers, the basic steps of emulsion polymerization to yield a latex and some alternative synthetic routes for waterborne binder dispersions. We’ll compare these waterborne materials while highlighting some successful industrial applications.
Biography
Timothy December is a Technical Expert at the BASF Coatings North American R&D Center in Southfield, Michigan. Tim has 39 years of experience in Automotive OEM coatings including: electrocoat, waterborne coatings, solventborne-high solids and powder coatings as well as automotive integrated painting process systems. He has over 55 United States patents for novel coatings and over 330 coatings patents issued globally. Tim has a BS /Chemistry from Michigan Technological University and completed graduate studies in electrically conductive polymers at Oakland University. He has appeared on the History Channel program Modern Marvels-“Paint” and enjoys teaching and promoting science education.
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Mike Gamarra + Kurt Kearney
Axalta
Spray Booth/Application
Overview
More info coming soon!
Biography
Mike Gamarra and Kurt Kearney make up Axalta’s Advanced Application Team. As members of this Advanced Application Team, Mike and Kurt have a combined 40 years of automated paint application experience. They will give a brief history of paint automation, various application methods, off-line robotic path development, best practices for robotic paint application, and the importance of booth environment conditions.
