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Tool Helps Select Waterborne Polyurethane DTMs

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bayer MaterialScience researchers have announced the development of a selection tool for waterborne polyurethane coatings for Direct-to-Metal applications.

The tool is an outgrowth of a study the company previously conducted on the performance of DTM waterborne polyurethane coatings. The study used a guide formula from a one-component, oxidatively crosslinking polyurethane coating made by Bayer MaterialScience. Tests were performed to evaluate the formula’s physical properties, the company said.

Application Factors

The tool factors in application timing, surface preparation, degree of protection and other characteristics that applicators must evaluate before selecting a DTM coating, the company said.

The tool was introduced Wednesday (Oct. 20) at the 2010 Metal Protection through Coatings Technology Conference in Pittsburgh.

Pete Schmitt, Bayer MaterialScience strategic technology manager for polyurethane coatings, made the presentation, which was co-authored by two research scientists at the company.

Performance Comparisons

Schmitt also reviewed the results of testing that compared the company’s DTM product with a water-based acrylic coating, a solvent-based alkyd coating, and a solvent-borne alkyd primer.

All coatings were tested for adhesion to various substrates, including cold-rolled steel, B952-treated (zinc phosphate) steel, B1000-treated (iron phosphate) steel, aluminum (mill), and chromium-treated aluminum. Humidity resistance (Cleveland condenser) and corrosion resistance (salt fog) tests were also performed on all coatings.

The testing results showed that a one-component waterborne polyurethane coating was “a viable coatings option for industrial direct-to-metal applications,” said Schmitt, who first presented the results last month at the Southern Society of Coatings Technology (SSCT) 2010 conference.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is a leading producer of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business. The company’s main segments serve the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.