St. Louis Society merges with St. Louis PCA; May meeting examines Crosslinked Ractions.

The membership of the St. Louis Society for Coatings Technology and the St. Louis Paint & Coatings Association have joined forces to create the new St. Louis Paint & Coatings Society. One of the founding Societies of the FSCT, the St. Louis Society was organized in 1918.

Members of the joint steering committee credited with the merger include: Paul Spinner, Dave Wicks, John Davis, Mike Hefferon, Joe Maty, Don Gibson, Jeff Lyne, Jim Einspanier, John Ladege, Terry Gelhot, Mark Froese, Chris Matthews, and Randy Lewis.

Maintaining traditions of both groups, the new St. Louis Paint & Coatings Society will continue to sponsor annual golf outings, a holiday party, Past-Presidents Night, technical meetings, symposia, and contributions to community service.

Elected as officers for 2006-2007 are: President--Bill Wurdack, Walter Wurdack, Inc.; Vice President--John Ladage, Carboline Company; Secretary--Mark Froese, Masterchem Industries; Treasurer--Chris Matthews, Sundur Powder Coatings; and Assistant Treasurer--Randy Lewis, Walsh & Associates.

In May, members of the Society attended a technical meeting on "Catalysis of Amino Resin Crosslinked and Isocyanate Crosslinked Reactions." During the presentation, John Florio, of King Industries, reviewed the primary components of acid catalyzed coatings, including the amino resin, vehicle resin, acid catalyst, and heat. He presented variables associated with coating cure, such as amino and vehicle resin selection, mix ratio, pH, choice of pigments, solvents, and system curing conditions. Mr. Florio also discussed resistance properties and defects associated with changes in cure schedule, acid strength, and hydrophobicity.

The presentation continued with a description of urethane catalysis, with primary components including aromatic or aliphatic isocyanate, the preference of hydroxy functional vehicle resins, and catalyst compounds of metal and tertiary amines. Mr. Florio reviewed properties affected by the choice of catalysts, such as dry time, gloss, off-gassing, yellowing, and exterior durability. He also detailed metal compounds including tin, zirconium chelates, aluminum chelate, bismuth, magnesium, cobalt, and zinc carboylates. In conclusion, performance issues relating to deactivation by acids, anions, and pigments and selective catalysis were discussed. Guidelines were suggested for the selection of catalysts in various troubleshooting scenarios.

During the May business meeting, Terry Gelhot, Carboline Company, was recognized for her years of service to the Society. Mrs. Gelhot served on the Society board since 1987, when she became the assistant treasurer. In 1991, she served as president and, in 1992, became the St. Louis Society's representative on the FSCT Board of Directors. She served in that role until 2006, when the FSCT changed the structure of its board. Mrs. Gelhot continues to serve the Society as membership chair, a position she has held since 1994.