An investigation of the mechanism of lacquer adhesion failure on electrolytic tinplate. "Tin" cans used for food packaging are actually made from tin-plated steel and, in most cases, the metal is coated with a lacquer. This lacquer is required to protect the can from corrosion and the contents from taint. The incidence of adhesion failure between the metal and the lacquer has increased recently for unknown reasons, causing considerable economic loss. This project will investigate the mechanisms ....An investigation of the mechanism of lacquer adhesion failure on electrolytic tinplate. "Tin" cans used for food packaging are actually made from tin-plated steel and, in most cases, the metal is coated with a lacquer. This lacquer is required to protect the can from corrosion and the contents from taint. The incidence of adhesion failure between the metal and the lacquer has increased recently for unknown reasons, causing considerable economic loss. This project will investigate the mechanisms of adhesion failure and improve our fundamental understanding of the problem. The results will be used to enable the selection of process conditions and lacquers that are more robust and reduce the incidence of adhesion failure.Read moreRead less
New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings ....New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings for a wide range of end uses, publication in high ranking journals and commercialisation of the technology.
Benefits of this project will include elimination of mercury and reduction in exposure to solvents in the Australian workplace, and a lower energy requirement to produce high-quality surface coated products.Read moreRead less
Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make ....Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make accessible a wide range of novel surface-active polymers that have been impossible to synthesise to date, and which we expect to be more efficient and hence leads to greener technologies.
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Janus particles and nanorattles: new materials for paint technology. This project will pave the way for self cleaning paints that achieve opacity with greatly reduced titanium dioxide levels. Painted surfaces will maintain their clean and new look for longer and a clean town look will be much more readily maintained. More efficient use of titanium dioxide will reduce the need for sand mining and reduce the cost of quality paint.
Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought ....Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought about by levels of heat and radiation encountered in-service. These insights will lead to further improvements in both lifetime and aesthetic durability of COLORBONDR steel, ensuring continuing economic success of BlueScope in the domestic building market with consequent benefits to manufacturing communities throughout the supply-chain nationwide.Read moreRead less
Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use pol ....Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use polymer Janus nanoparticles to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to reduce the use of non-renewable components, and increase stain-resistance and durability. This new technology will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This r ....Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This research aims to provide the means to create paint films with greatly improved properties at reduced cost, with reduced requirement for non-renewable resources and reduced environmental footprint.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanoparticles with gradient morphology for environmentally friendly aqueous coatings applications. The commercial and practical importance of coatings (paints) in today’s society can hardly be overstated. With the ongoing drive towards more environmentally friendly coating systems, there is a strong desire to replace traditionally employed solvent-based coatings with entirely waterborne systems. Waterborne coatings are a key measure by which the coating industry can meet requirements to ....Polymer nanoparticles with gradient morphology for environmentally friendly aqueous coatings applications. The commercial and practical importance of coatings (paints) in today’s society can hardly be overstated. With the ongoing drive towards more environmentally friendly coating systems, there is a strong desire to replace traditionally employed solvent-based coatings with entirely waterborne systems. Waterborne coatings are a key measure by which the coating industry can meet requirements to reduce emission of volatile organic compounds. However, maximum performance cannot be achieved currently using waterborne coatings, which in turn limits applications. The overall aim of this project is to develop environmentally friendly high-performance waterborne coatings that will enable replacement of currently employed solvent-based systems.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically incr ....Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically increase their durability. The partnership will bring a technological breakthrough that will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The applicati ....Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The application of mass spectrometry for the analysis of polymer degradation has been pioneered by the CI and BlueScope Steel. The project will demonstrate the power of this technique and secure Australia's place at the forefront of molecular polymer degradation research. (iii) The project has a strong educational component, training a PhD student at the interface of application and fundamental research.Read moreRead less