Editorial

Citation

(2004), "Editorial", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2004.12933baa.001

Editorial

It is apparent that breakthroughs in the development of novel materials have brought about major advancements in coatings technology, and coloration technology in general. Indeed, coating formulation and colour application scientists and technologists rely, to a large extent, on novel, high performance or special performance materials, mostly developed by synthesis chemists. For coatings and colour applications in general, colorants, binders and additives are of particular importance in terms of novel developments. The current issue focuses on the recent development in colorants, binders and additives, through papers covering novel dyes, anticorrosive pigments, novel polyesteramide binders and novel biocidal polymers.

Biocidal polymers have found applications in water disinfection and in coating formulations. Most of the existing biocidal polymers are soluble in water to various extents, as such, posing significant, potential harm to human life and the environment as a whole. More recently, insoluble (in water) biocidal polymers have been developed. However, such biocidal polymers require a relatively longer contact time to deactivate micro-organisms. Dr A.M. El-Masry and his colleagues reported their work on the preparation and characterisation of novel biocidal, halamine polymers based on poly-4-vinylacetophenone. Such polymers were found to have good biocidal effect on various bacteria, characterised by extremely rapid deactivation of the bacteria. Another significant feature of such polymers was their insolubility in water or usual organic solvents. Thus, these polymers were likely to be more stable than the conventional disinfectants.

Polyesteramide resins have long been used in coatings. Dr P.G. Shende and his colleagues reported the results of their work on the preparation and characterisation of linseed oil modified polyesteramide resins for surface coatings. It was found that the linseed oil modified polyesteramide resins prepared had good resistance to alkaline corrosive environment.

A wide range of coloration processes rely on high quality dyes. Professor G.H. Elgemeie, a well established scholar at Helwan University in Egypt, and his colleagues synthesised and characterised a series of dyes based on novel arylazopyrazol[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. The dyes prepared were found to have good all-round performance including good light fastness.

Professor P. Molera, an expert in metallurgy, and his colleagues studied the effects of various pigments on the anticorrosion and antifouling properties of paint systems. Thus, paint formulations consisting of various anticorrosive pigments were prepared and applied onto steel test panels. The anticorrosion properties of the dried paint films were evaluated thoroughly using a variety of test procedures. A mathematical model for the prediction of the rate of corrosion, in terms of the weight loss of the painted test panel against time and the conditions of the corrosion environment, was also developed. Such a model was found to be able to predict the extent of corrosion reliability.

Apart from the novel materials, more recently, nano-technology has lent itself to improving coating properties and to developing coating systems having extended functionality. The editor would particularly welcome submission of papers relevant to this exciting technology.