Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/715656
POWDER COATING, August 2016 5 which allows federal agencies to stimu- late technological innovation in the pri- vate sector by strengthening small busi- nesses that meet federal research and de- velopment needs. Kason expands test lab MILLBURN, N.J.—An all-new, ex- panded test laboratory at Kason Corp. contains a full range of equipment for documenting the performance of vibra- tory screeners, centrifugal sifters, fluid bed dryers and coolers, mixers and blenders, and size reduction equipment using customer-supplied materials. Per- formance data obtained on all labora- tory test equipment are scalable to accu- rately project outcomes achieved on production models to be constructed. Kason lab technicians can also replicate virtually any process layout and produc- tion scenario, including running of ma- terials at elevated temperatures. Researchers take a closer look at graphene BERKELEY, Calif.—While the vari- ous properties inherent to graphene make it ideal for applications from cor- rosion-resistant coatings to biological devices, all uses rely on the structural re- liability it is known for. However, scien- tists at the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Labora- tory report that while the material is strong, it is not very resistant to fracture. The team published its findings, "Toughness and Strength of Nanocrys- talline Graphene," in the journal Nature Communications. In terms of strength, defined as a mater- ial's resistance to deformation, the ma- terial has been billed as 200 times stronger than steel. However, the re- searchers say they have developed the first known statistical theory for the toughness of polycrystalline graphene and found its toughness is quite low. In fact, the material's toughness is lower than diamond and only slightly higher than pure graphite. Toughness and strength are often mutually incompati- ble properties, the scientists note. Over the past few years, graphene has been studied in a variety of applications, including corrosion-resistant coatings, flexible electronic displays, and biologi- cal devices. These uses depend on its mechanical properties for structural re- liability. The team is now trying to un- derstand more about the fracture of graphene, specifically the effects of adding hydrogen to the material. Pre- liminarily, they report that they are finding cracks grow more readily in the presence of the element. Corrosion inhibitor made for coating applications HAMMOND, Ind.—ICL\Advanced Additives, a leading global specialty phosphate producer, has introduced a zinc and aluminum based inorganic corrosion inhibitor that is designed to provide early and long-term corrosion protection in conjunction with indus- trial coating systems. HALOX 700 is a white, nonreflective corrosion inhibiting pigment. The com- bination of zinc and aluminum phos- phates provides extended protection in solvent-based and water-based epoxy and urethane coatings. For alkyd and acrylic coatings, HALOX Organic Cor- rosion Inhibitors are recommended for use in combination with HALOX 700. Recommended application levels for the product range from 5 percent to 10 per- cent based on the total formula weight. US Department of Labor files suit against Lear Corp. WASHINGTON, D.C.—The US Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Lear Corp., doing business as Renosol Seating LLC, and three of its managers for suspending and terminat- ing employees who reported workplace hazards in violation of the Occupa- tional Safety and Health Act. The suit follows an investigation by the US De- partment of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after three Renosol employees filed federal complaints. Based in Selma, Ala., the company is a high- and low-volume foam manufacturer. Filed in March, the suit alleges that Lear discriminated against the employees by conducting retaliatory acts in violation of the OSH Act's Section 11(c). The suit seeks back wages, interest, and com- pensatory and punitive damages. Addi- tionally, the suit seeks an order directing Lear to remove all references to this matter from the employee's personnel records and barring Lear from future vi- olations of the OSH Act. The department's action makes numer- ous allegations, including that the com- pany harassed employees, reduced their overtime, segregated them from cowork- ers, and suspended and later terminated one of the employees in retaliation for raising health concerns associated with exposure to toluene diisocyanate. OSHA enforces the whistleblower pro- visions of the OSH Act and 21 other statutes, protecting employees who re- port violations. Employers are prohib- ited from retaliating against employees who raise various protected concerns or provide protected information to the employer or to the government. Em- ployees who believe that they have been retaliated against for engaging in pro- tected conduct may file a complaint with the secretary of labor to request an investigation by OSHA's Whistle- blower Protection Program. Hempel launches app to aid in coating condition surveys CONROE, Tex.—Global coatings supplier Hempel (USA) Inc. has launched an interactive iPhone and iPad tool to facilitate coating condition surveys. The Trusted Asset Protection Survey (TAPS) is a digital application designed to increase efficiency and in- vite more customer interaction in the survey process. The new digital tool is expected to accel- erate coating condition surveys, a system in which final recommendations can be delayed when conducted via a manual process. Now, reports recorded by TAPS will be stored on Hempel's server and connected to its customer extranet in order to give access to the most recent in- formation available for managing assets. The overall condition survey focuses on giving the asset a coating and corrosion condition status to help spot potential problems, minimize risk, and prioritize the areas that need to be considered first for maintenance. It is intended to help a customer identify where to allocate op- erational expenses to conserve the per- formance and aesthetic appearance of their holdings.