Available courses

The lectures in the first semester are all on raw materials used by the coatings industry. Chemistry, manufacturing and testing of these materials is discussed, emphasis being placed on how these products are delivered to the coatings industry and the choices available to the formulating chemists.

The following are the topics covered:

  1. Chemistry for Organic Coatings
  2. Oils and Varnishes/Alkyd Resins
  3. Epoxy, Phenolics and Silicone Resins
  4. Acrylics, Urethanes and Cellulosics
  5. Solvents
  6. Water-borne Resins and Emulsions
  7. Coatings Additives
  8. White and Extender Pigments
  9. Organic Pigments
  10. Black and Inorganic Pigments
The courses may be of interest to employers in paint manufacture, and/or those engaged in raw materials distribution to the coatings- and related industries, who wish to train their new employees in the basics of coatings technology. Also, those already working in the paint and coatings field wishing to upgrade their skills and knowledge of coating matters by earning the Diploma, will find these courses particularly rewarding.  

In the second semester the discussion is focused on how the above raw materials are used to formulate various types of protective and decorative coatings. Selection of materials, testing and manufacturing of trade sales paints is dealt with by covering the following subjects:

  1. Review of Trade Sales Paint Resins
  2. Coatings Calculations
  3. Dispersion Process and Equipment
  4. Pigments and Tinting Systems
  5. Instrumental Colour Matching
  6. Oil Based Formulations
  7. Formulating Latex Paints (two lectures)
  8. Special Formulating Know-how
  9. Manufacturing Methods
  10. Exterior Durability
  11. Quality Control

The third semester lectures covers the following topics:

  1. Review of Resins for Industrial Coatings
  2. Corrosion
  3. Surface Preparation and Primers
  4. Pigments, Dispersion and Equipment
  5. Automotive Coatings (OEM)
  6. Automotive Refinish Coatings
  7. Coil and General Industrial Coatings
  8. Environmental and Government Regulations
  9. Powder Coatings
  10. Application Methods and Equipment (powder)
  11. Application Methods and Equipment (liquid)
  12. Statistical Process and Quality