RADIATION-CURABLE POLYMER; RADIATION-CURABLE COATING. Expert introduced vinyl and pioneered radiation induced polymerization to the printing inks, coatings, and adhesives industries. He synthesized higher vinyl ethers using high-pressure acetylene and demonstrated the advantage of the vinyl ether chemistry to the process industry through formulations which used the vinyl ethers as diluents for epoxy resins. He implemented the interaction of the cationic ring opening reaction and the carbocation in the formulations of specialty inks and adhesives. The longevity of the cationic species which are known to produce "living polymers" was used to develop formulation which have a "dark cure" (the polymerization reaction continues after the coating is removed from the energy source. Thus, curing in shadowed areas and lamination of opaque objects to a substrate are made possible using a UV light source. The introduction of vinyl ethers, the only monomers allowed on the TSCA inventory since 1979, required a working relationship with the EPA to obtain the necessary pre-manufacturing notice and with the European community to obtain a pre-marketing notice and establish vinyl ethers on the EINECS list.CONCURRENT CATIONIC/FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION. Expert developed and introduced concurrent cationic/free-radical polymerization formulations which used vinyl ether diluents for acrylate oligomers for radiation-curable coating, ink, and adhesive applications. He demonstrated the property advantages of this type of hybrid formulation relative to both the acrylate based free radical formulation and to the cationic epoxy formulation. He has made presentations at RadTech International Conferences and is published worldwide on the subject of hybrid formulations.
ALTERNATING COPOLYMERIZATION. Expert developed formulations for low viscosity radiation-curable coatings using vinyl ethers and resins containing maleate esters for wood applications.
ABRASION-RESISTANT COATING. Working for over 10 years with abrasion-resistant coatings, Expert has applied his knowledge to radiation-curable coatings used in solar control films, membrane switches, lenses, and rigid plastic. He has applied for a patent in this area.
WOOD COATING. Expert developed the concepts of alternating polymerization and hybrid polymerization for the wood coating industry. The driving force of these technologies is the low coating viscosity that is achievable. Thus application techniques such as spray and vacuum coating can be used to coat "case" good (3-d) furniture. Prior to this, radiation cure technology was used primarily in flat lines, ready-to-assemble furniture or on kitchen cabinets.
EMULSION POLYMERIZATION. Expert synthesized and developed acrylate monomers, vinyl acrylics, and vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer from laboratory to production. He was responsible for research laboratory development, scale up, manufacture and quality control of an acrylate and vinyl acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility.
SURFACTANT TECHNOLOGY. Expert designed emulsion polymer systems that controlled the particle size and morphology through the selection of surfactants, combinations of several nonionic surfactants, and anionic surfactants during the emulsion polymerization process. He wrote a brochure on the use of surfactants in emulsion polymerization which describes the function of each ingredient in an emulsion and its function in determining properties.
EMULSION COATING MATERIAL. Expert formulated acrylate and vinyl acrylic emulsions and pioneered the latex semi-gloss formulae commonly used today.
Expertise
