Fundamentals of polymer technology explored at two-day ICE Preshow Short Course.

Providing valuable educational and professional development opportunities to the coatings industry, the FSCT will offer a series of informative short courses prior to ICE 2007. On October 1-2, 2007, a two-day program on "Fundamentals of Polymer Technology" will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention

Designed for chemists working on resin synthesis, production, or testing, as well as sales and marketing personnel, the course explores basic polymer chemistry. Industry experts will focus on what polymers are and why they function as binders in coatings. Attendees will learn key application aspects of resins and crosslinkers used as binders. Among the topics to be covered are synthesis schemes for different polymer chemistries, criteria for choosing specific resin binders, and major crosslinkers used for high performance coatings.

The preliminary schedule includes the following presentations:

Monday, October 1

8:30-10:00 am -- Basics of Polymer Chemistry -- Michael Van De Mark, University of Missouri-Rolla

10:00-10:15 am -- Break

10:15-12:00 pm -- Condensation Polymers, Alkyd, and Polyester: Chemistry and Applications -- Jeff Danneman, Reichhold

12:00-1:00 pm -- Lunch

1:00-2:00 pm -- Solventborne Acrylic Polyols -- Anbu Natesh, Cognis Corporation

2:00-3:00 pm -- Amino Crosslinking Agents: Their Composition and Performance -- Colin Brogan, Cytec Industries, Inc.

3:00-3:15 pm -- Break

3:15-5:00 pm -- Polyurethanes, Basics, Solventborne, and Waterborne -- Myron Shaffer, Bayer MaterialScience

Tuesday, October 2

8:30-10:00 am -- Overview of Emulsion Polymerization: Acrylic and Styrene Acrylic Emulsion Polymers -- Gary Larson, Rohm and Haas Company

10:00-10:15 am -- Break

10:15-11:15 am -- Vinyl and Versatic Ester Technologies -- David Vanaken, Hexion Specialty Chemicals

11:15-12:15 pm -- Silicones/Silanes -- Cindy Su, Momentive Performance Materials

12:15-1:15 pm -- Lunch

1:15-2:45 pm -- Crosslinking with Epoxy Resins -- David Dubowik, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

2:45-3:00 pm -- Break

3:00-4:00 pm -- Cellulosic Derivatives in Coatings -- Harold Haag, Aqualon Division, Hercules Incorporated

4:00-5:00 pm -- UV/EB Cure-in-Place Technology -- Gary Ceska, Sartomer Company

Registration Information

Admittance to Preshow Short Courses is by separate registration. Registrants receive admittance to the course(s) selected, course handouts, a conference tote, and full registration for the International Coatings Expo.

Through September 10, the registration rate is $595 (FSCT member); $745 (nonmember). After September 10, the rate is $695 (FSCT member); $845 (nonmember).

To register online, visit www.coatingstech.org. For additional information on the Preshow Short Courses and all ICE events, contact FSCT, 492 Norristown Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422-2350; 610. 940.0777; fax: 610.940.0292; email: fsct@coatingstech.org.