Tighter government regulations and consumer demand are driving interest for coatings that offer low volatile organic compounds (VOC) and lower odor. The challenge has been to make a low-VOC, low-odor paint system that offers the performance properties of a two-component solventborne polyurethane paint.

Two-component (2K) waterborne polyurethane coatings have been under development for decades and meet the requirements for low odor and low VOC. Additionally, the quality of these coatings has steadily improved and their performance properties now compare favorably with 2K solventborne polyurethane coatings. Yet, to date, few scientific studies have been done specifically to document the performance comparison of 2K waterborne polyurethane coatings and solventborne coating systems.

Peter Schmitt, field technical service manager, Coatings, Adhesives & Specialties, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, will share research on waterborne coating formulations during a presentation “The case for two-component waterborne polyurethane coatings” at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26. Schmitt’s talk is part of the Waterborne Symposium, held Feb. 24-28, in New Orleans.

He will detail results from a recently conducted study of more than 70 coating formulations that were prepared and sprayed onto treated steel panels. The coated panels were then tested for: gloss retention, pendulum hardness, impact resistance, flexibility by mandrel bend, chemical resistance, xenon arc and Florida weathering.

“This study demonstrates how properly formulated 2K waterborne polyurethane coatings offer high-performance as well as meet regulations for low VOCs and low odor,” Schmitt said.