The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Overview

Simply stated, a coating consists of a film-forming material dissolved in a solvent. The film-forming material is called a resin. When the resin contains pigments it is called a binder because it binds the pigment particles together and to the substrate over which it has been applied. Pigments are used to add color to the coating and can also enhance the coating's resistance to heat, abrasion and acid. The solvent is present in the coating to make it liquid for ease of application. After application, the solvent evaporates and the binder remains behind.

The chemicals selected to be used for the resin, pigment and solvent influence the properties of the coating in the can, as well as the properties during application and curing. Most importantly, the selection of resin, pigment and solvent will influence how well the coating performs in its intended service environment. For example coal tar resins have excellent moisture-resistance, but poor UV light resistance. Hybrid resins have been formulated to improve the overall performance of resins. In the example of coal tar, it is often combined with an epoxy resin to form coal tar epoxy, which has improved UV resistance relative to an unmodified coal tar resin.

Environmental regulations and safety concerns have had a large influence on the coatings industry in recent years. Legislation limiting the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in paint has required coating manufacturers to reformulate their coatings to meet environmental regulations. Additionally, the safety concerns associate with such toxic materials as lead and chromate has continuously challenged manufacturers to formulate high-performance coatings using alternative materials.

In this course, the student will study the types and characteristics of commercial coatings. The course will cover Chapter 4, "Coating Types and Characteristics" in the US Army Corps of Engineers document EM 1110-2-3400, "Painting: New Construction and Maintenance".

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · Basic components of a coating system including the resin, pigment and solvent
  · Types of resins, including vinyl, acrylic, epoxy, phenolic and urethane
  · Function of drying oils and the relative merits of each type
  · Purpose of pigments and the various types including inhibitive, sacrificial, hiding, color and extender
  · Different types of solvents and their relative merits
  · The function and types of miscellaneous additives, such as antiskinning agents, fungicides, emulsion aids and flow agents
  · Types of zinc-rich coatings and their relative merits
  · The impact of VOC's on coating manufacture and selection
  · Types and applications for powder coatings and thermal-spray coatings
  · Description of galvanizing and its advantages/disadvantages in various applications

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.