Improving Energy Efficiency through Cool Polymers in Building Materials. The advantages of using cool polymers in industrial applications such as building materials are significant. Cooler buildings are a positive contribution to our global environment with reductions in urban heat and smog through energy efficiency. Moreover, by reducing the overall temperature of the surface coating through inclusion and optimization of IR-reflective pigments, this should lead to polymers which are more durabl ....Improving Energy Efficiency through Cool Polymers in Building Materials. The advantages of using cool polymers in industrial applications such as building materials are significant. Cooler buildings are a positive contribution to our global environment with reductions in urban heat and smog through energy efficiency. Moreover, by reducing the overall temperature of the surface coating through inclusion and optimization of IR-reflective pigments, this should lead to polymers which are more durable when exposed in exterior environments. It is anticipated that the results from this work will have direct impact on the Australian paint market and potentially the commercial and residential building industries of Australia, combined with obvious economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Performance Chemistry of Thermoset Surface Coatings. Surface coatings employed in the COLORBOND® range of pre-painted steel products are remarkable materials that are warranted against fading, peeling and cracking for 25 years. Unfortunately, the desired durability can never be uniform across all applications and performance failures do occur and are costly. Classic durability testing often provides misleading information. This project aims to develop a sound mechanistic model for polyester-is ....Performance Chemistry of Thermoset Surface Coatings. Surface coatings employed in the COLORBOND® range of pre-painted steel products are remarkable materials that are warranted against fading, peeling and cracking for 25 years. Unfortunately, the desired durability can never be uniform across all applications and performance failures do occur and are costly. Classic durability testing often provides misleading information. This project aims to develop a sound mechanistic model for polyester-isocyanate performance chemistry and to develop strategies for 'superdurable polyester' formulations based on these findings. This research will provide recommendations to BHP Coated Steel Australia on adoption of isocyanate based technology in the COLORBOND® range of products.Read moreRead less