Exploiting the Raw Material/Physical Property Relationship for the Fine Tuning of Polyurea Caulking Systems

Jerry L. Reddinger and Kenneth M. Hillman Huntsman Corporation Advanced Technology Center 8600 Gosling Rd. The Woodlands, Texas 77381 USA ABSTRACT The viability of formulating polyurea-based caulking compounds was explored in this study. To that end, a number of formulations have been investigated, and the results have highlighted the impact that some key formulation and processing variables impart on elastomer properties. It was determined for the systems studied here that an index of ~1.30 provided the best balance of key physical properties generally important to the performance of caulking compounds. System decelerants effectively extended reaction times and, it was demonstrated that the gel- and worktimes for a specific system could be extended to over two minutes and seven minutes, respectively. The %NCO value of the quasiprepolymer feedstock proved to be an influential aspect of polyurea formulation. Overall, this study demonstrated that properties such as hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength can be manipulated through the use of varying decelerant and %NCO levels. Generalizations of these underlying relationships are offered, where prudent, to help guide the design of polyurea-based caulking compounds falling within the property ranges of various commercially-available caulking compound types. INTRODUCTION Since their introduction to the coatings world less than twenty years ago, polyurea spray elastomers have become an increasingly popular option among industrial coatings applications.1 Coatings based upon polyurea elastomer technology typically exhibit excellent physical properties, appreciable abrasion resistance, and high thermal stability. Accordingly, numerous advertisements highlighting the inherent advantages of polyurea chemistry can be found in the various coatings journals. Much of the snow-balling popularity of polyurea chemistry centers around its rapid-cure nature, where coatings that often exhibit tack-free times of less than ten seconds and can be opened to traffic in a matter of hours are routinely encountered. In fact, the amine/isocyanate reaction is so rapid that it occurs without the need for catalysts, allowing the application of polyurea elastomers to remain relatively moisture and temperature insensitive. Many of the applications of polyurea spray elastomers require filling/repair of bug holes, cracks, or expansion joints within the substrate prior to coating. Accordingly, such substrate issues are generally addressed via the application of caulking materials. (The term caulk here refers to materials that often possess a combination of sealant- and adhesive-type attributes.) The main characteristics that such caulking compounds must exhibit include an extended gel time that permits proper flow into substrate voids and a physical property profile that closely matches the substrate type and expected range of movement. A survey of commercially-available products suitable for such caulking applications reveals a broad range of chemistries that can be employed. Popular material types include silicones, epoxies, polyurethanes, polysulfides, and butyl rubber

dispersions. The most appropriate chemistry is generally dictated by the application and the service conditions that the caulking material will experience. A highly flexible silicone or rubberbased material is well suited for a highmovement expansion joint, whereas rigid epoxies systems often perform very well as concrete bug hole fillers. The great buzz surrounding polyurea spray elastomers, has prompted the investigation of polyurea-based caulking materials. However, the inherent quick-set nature that has made the spray elastomers so popular must be overcome to make the concept of polyurea caulking viable. To aid in the design of such slow-set polyureas, it is helpful to take a closer look at the chemistry and how it is affected by the various raw materials types. Generically speaking, polyurea elastomers are produced via reaction of polyamine compounds with polyisocyanates. The short gel times typically encountered with polyurea elastomers have limited applications to plural component technology with the amine and isocyanate components remaining totally segregated prior to mixing in the dispense head. The isocyanate component best suited for producing polyurea-based caulking compounds is typically found in the form of a prepolymer or quasi-prepolymer with %NCO values in the range of 10-16%. Aromatic prepolymers are the most commonly employed and are generally based upon MDI derivatives with high 2,4isomer content.2 The amine component of a polyurea formulation is generally much more complex than its isocyanate counterpart and is routinely comprised of more than six separate materials. The major raw material type encountered in most polyurea amine components is the polyetheramine. These specialized polyamines are aliphatic in nature and possess hindered amine groups. The flexible nature of polyetheramines has lead to these molecules being ascribed as the soft-block segments of the polyurea chain. In addition to the relatively high-molecular weight polyetheramines, a number of low-molecular weight polyamines are also employed and serve as chain extenders. The chain extender helps to smooth out the reactions associated with polyurea formation and also is a major component of the polymers hard block segment. Chain extender design plays an important role in polyurea chemistry, and products are offered that possess the ability to slow and tailor polyurea elastomer gel- and tack-free times.

Overall, judicious selection of prepolymer and chain extender can readily yield formulations with working times in excess of ten minutes. Further extension of working time can be accomplished through solvent reduction and/or plasticizer inclusion; however, this action many times compromises the properties of the resulting elastomer. Furthermore, high levels of shrinkage can be encountered upon eventual migration or loss of incorporated plasticizers and solvents, leading in some cases to catastrophic failure.

EXPERIMENTAL Materials and Methods With the exception of experimental isocyanate components, the materials utilized in this study are commercially available products, and their sources are listed in Table 1. Polyurea caulking compound samples were dispensed via dualsyringe static-mix application. A MIXPAC DP400-85 pneumatic gun equipped with model MC-13-32 static mix tubes (15 long by inch diameter with 32 elements) was used for all dualsyringe runs. Gel time was recorded as the point at which run on a vertical substrate ceased, and working time was determined to be the earliest point at which a wire dipped into freshly dispensed material could be cleanly removed. Freefilm elastomer samples suitable for physical testing were obtained by dispensing the polyurea systems into a 10 x 10 x 0.25 or a 4 x 8 x 0.5 aluminum mold, both pre-treated with a water-borne release agent. After de-molding, tensile and tear specimens were die cut from the various elastomer samples and allowed to cure at room temperature over a fourteen day period. These test specimens were then analyzed using an INSTRON Model number 4201 electro-mechanical test machine, with a cross-head speed (pull rate) set at 20 inches per minute. All tests were performed in accordance with the respective ASTM test procedure, and a summary of the test methods utilized in this study is contained in Table 2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The objective of this study was to assess the viability of manipulating polyurea chemistry to produce slow-set elastomer formulations suitable for use as caulking compounds. Attempts were also made to modulate elastomer physical properties to afford polyurea-based materials that

Table 1. List of chemicals and suppliers COMPOUND JEFFAMINE D-400 JEFFAMINE D-2000 JEFFAMINE T-5000 JEFFLINK 555 ETHACURE 100 UNILINK 4200 MANUFACTURE HUNTSMAN CORPORATION DESCRIPTION Polyetheramine Hydroxyl-containing amine chain extender Amine chain extender Secondary amine chain extender

HUNTSMAN CORPORATION ALBEMARLE CORPORATION UOP LLC

Table 2. ASTM test methods used in this study. ASTM TEST METHOD Tensile Strength Percent Elongation Modulus ASTM D638 ASTM D638 ASTM D638 Tear Strength Durometer Hardness Flexural Modulus ASTM D624 ASTM D2240-81 ASTM D790

Table 3. Broad classification of caulking material types based upon physical property ranges.
MATERIAL CLASS GENERAL INDUSTRIAL 400-700 250-500 A60-85 (D40)

HIGH FLEXIBILITY TENSILE STRENGTH (PSI) ELONGATION (%) HARDNESS 100-300 300-700 A18-45

HIGH STRENGTH 900-1250 <400 A65-95 (D45)

fall within the property ranges of the three main caulking compound types, namely highflexibility/low modulus, general industrial, and high strength (see Table 3). To that end, several families of formulations were designed to probe the effects that variations in raw material type, formula composition, and processing parameters may impart upon the physical properties and reaction profiles of polyurea-based caulking compounds. A range of indices, decelerant content, and prepolymer %NCO values were evaluated, and for all elastomer systems evaluated in this study, reaction times and physical properties were analyzed and correlation proposed where the data permitted. All formulations examined in this study were two component, consisting of separate isocyanate and amine components. The isocyanate portion was exclusively comprised of MDIbased quasi-prepolymers, and in most instances, the isocyanate component was a custom blend of prepolymers mixed in the requisite ratios to afford a target %NCO value.

The amine component of the formulation was comprised of multiple parts including various combinations of polyetheramines and chain extenders. The polyetheramines (available commercially as JEFFAMINE amines from Huntsman Corporation) utilized in these formulations serve as the higher molecular weight soft-block portions of the polyurea chain. Depending upon product type, these polyfunctional amines possess ~2-2.8 amine groups per molecule with equivalent weights ranging from ~200-1860 g/eq. Those compounds serving as chain extenders (available commercially as JEFFLINK 555 from Huntsman Corporation, ETHACURE 100 from Albemarle Corporation, and UNILINK 4200 from UOP) are relatively lowmolecular weight species possessing equivalent weights of less than 200 g/eq. These chain extenders attenuate the reaction profile of the corresponding formulation, and in the cases of the JEFFLINK 555 and UNILINK 4200 products, can also serve as system decelerants. To control the reaction speed of the polyurea

Table 4. Polyurea caulking compound formulations with their corresponding reaction times and physical properties.

MDI-Based Prepolymer % NCO

A 15.4

B 15.4

C 15.4

D 15.4

E 15.4

F 15.4

G 15.4

H 15.4

Resin Blend JEFFAMINE D-2000 JEFFAMINE T-5000 ETHACURE 100 UNILINK 4200 Processing Index Iso/Resin volume ratio Physical Property Gel Time (s) Hardness (0 s) (10 s) Tensile Strength (psi) Elongation (%) Modulus (100%) Modulus (300%) Tear Strength (pli) 7 D44 D37 936 48 --363 9 D44 D38 988 149 917 -331 10 D45 D38 1314 346 959 1251 428 12 D43 D36 1515 483 814 1142 411 17 D42 D35 1624 638 724 1012 374 20 D42 D31 1249 579 642 872 337 22 D40 D30 1089 602 594 794 243 27 D38 D28 967 610 532 717 333 45.45 8.08 36.36 10.10 53.76 8.60 29.03 8.60 56.29 9.58 24.55 9.58 60.40 10.74 17.45 11.41 62.59 10.88 14.97 11.56 65.12 10.47 12.79 11.63 67.07 10.78 11.38 10.78 69.88 10.84 9.64 9.64

0.80 1.00

0.95 1.00

1.05 1.00

1.25 1.00

1.35 1.00

1.45 1.00

1.55 1.00

1.70 1.00

systems, appropriate levels of decelerants are utilized to help extend reaction times. In general, the chain extenders comprise portions of the hard-block segments and help provide enhanced rigidity and high thermal properties in the cured elastomers. Index Study When constructing an elastomer formulation, several important parameters must be considered. In addition to selection of raw materials, it is paramount first to set important criteria such as volume ratio and system index. The volume ratio of a system is simply the volume of one component that is used relative to another. In this study, and in general for polyurea spray elastomers, a 1:1 volume ratio is maintained. Hence, one gallon of isocyanate component is required for every gallon of resin blend that is dispensed. Operating at a 1:1 volume ratio is the most straight forward and typically simplifies the equipment that is needed, as well as helps to re-

duce confusion and the probability of error in the field. System index is defined as the equivalents of free isocyanate divided by the number of free amine equivalents. Thus, an equally balanced formulation, containing the same number of equivalents of isocyanate and amine functionality, would have an index of 1.00. While a balanced index seems the most theoretically sound, most polyurea elastomer systems are overindexed on the order of 1.05-1.10. These higher indices provide an isocyanate buffer that can help account for isocyanate that may have been consumed during storage or application as a result of reaction with incidental moisture. Reddinger and Hillman have shown that system index can have a profound impact on the ultimate physical properties of polyurea spray elastomers.3 Their work showed that formulations possessing indices in excess of 1.00 produced elastomers with the highest physical properties. It was believed that such over-indexed formulations yielded coatings exhibiting

System Decelerant Level Perhaps the single most important attribute of polyurea elastomer technology is its fast-cure nature relative to other coatings technologies. However, when trying to formulate caulking compounds, the polyurea reaction can most often be too rapid, failing to allow for adequate flow, penetration, and surface wetting. To circumvent these quick-set issues, special molecules (called decelerants here) exhibiting drastically reduced reactivities (relative to standard aliphatic primary amines) are employed to slow the reaction profile of the polyurea system. Commercially-available decelerants include chain extenders such as the JEFFLINK 555 and UNILINK 4200 products. As is the case with spray elastomers, the amount of decelerant incorporated into a formulation has a direct impact on the corresponding polyurea caulking compounds reaction times. Two series of formulations, summarized in Tables 5 and 6, were prepared containing varying levels and types of system decelerants. These systems were then dispensed utilizing dual-syringe static-mix equipment and both the reaction times and the physical properties of the resulting coatings analyzed. The formulations shown in Table 5 contained varying levels of the JEFFLINK 555 product. As can be seen from the reaction times, great extensions of gel-, work-, and tack-free times are possible through increasingly higher incorporation of this decelerant. An interesting point to note is the effect that higher concentrations of the JEFFLINK 555 chain extender have on the physical properties of the cured elastomers. Properties such as tensile strength, modulus, and tear strength are significantly reduced while elongation at break is greatly extended. Thus, simply by varying the level of JEFFLINK 555 decelerant utilized within this formulation series, it was possible to produce either a general industrial-type caulking compound or a product that would fall under the high-flexibility-type classification. Table 6 summarizes formulations that were investigated that contained the UNILINK 4200 decelerant. As with the JEFFLINK 555 product, reaction times could be nicely extended by the incorporation of increasing amounts of the UNILINK 4200 chain extender. While the JEFFLINK 555 material was shown to greatly modulate elastomer properties, the introduction of the UNILINK 4200 decelerant did not affect the physical properties of the

Figure 1. Tensile strength and tear strength as a function of index. enhanced flow, lower residual stresses, and ultimately, a more complete reaction. Furthermore, isocyanate can be converted to amine upon reaction with moisture, which can then react with other unreacted isocyanate in the fresh elastomer. Thus, an over-indexed elastomer will possess a partial moisture-cure nature. In this study, a series of formulations was prepared and dispensed to investigate the impact that index has upon the physical properties of the resulting elastomers. As shown in Table 4, indices from 0.80 to 1.70 were evaluated. All formulations produced continuous elastomer samples that exhibited few immediate distinguishing differences. However, it was discovered that the extremely over-indexed systems (>1.45) occasionally foamed during the first twenty-four hours of cure time. As summarized in Table 4, gel times in the study increased as a function of index. The continual extension of working time is proposed to be due to the increasing presence of excess isocyanate (acting as a plasticizer) coupled with the increasingly higher percentage of decelerant in the chain extender package. The physical properties of the resulting elastomers also varied greatly as a function of index. Properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break peaked at an index of ~1.35, while modulus and tear strength exhibited maxima at ~1.05. Generally, a compromise in overall elastomer properties is sought, and thus, some intermediate index within the 1.05-1.35 range is selected. Figure 1 depicts graphs of tensile and tear strengths as a function of index. The two curves intersect at an index of ~1.30 (mutual high points), and this value was used as the optimal index for all subsequent runs in this study.

Table 5. Elastomer formulations containing varying levels of JEFFLINK 555 decelerant.

Table 6. Elastomer formulations containing varying levels of UNILINK 4200 decelerant.

MDI-Based Prepolymer % NCO

MDI-Based Prepolymer % NCO

14.4

14.4

14.4

15.4

15.4

15.4

Resin Blend JEFFAMINE D-2000 JEFFAMINE T-5000 ETHACURE 100 JEFFLINK 555 Processing Index Iso/Resin volume ratio Physical Property Gel Time (s) Work Time (min) Tack-Free Time (min) Hardness (0 s) (10 s) Tensile Strength (psi) Elongation (%) Modulus (100%) Modulus (300%) Tear Strength (pli) 38 1.9 6.1 A75 A63 518 409 319 460 209 82 3.4 12.0 A68 A51 376 702 199 312 143 120 7.3 300 A62 A37 197 796 99 162 87 65.70 10.00 9.30 15.00 64.60 10.00 7.40 18.00 63.80 10.00 5.20 21.00

Resin Blend JEFFAMINE D-2000 JEFFAMINE T-5000 ETHACURE 100 UNILINK 4200 Processing Index Iso/Resin volume ratio Physical Property Gel Time (s) Work Time (min) Tack-Free Time (min) Hardness (0 s) (10 s) Tensile Strength (psi) Elongation (%) Modulus (100%) Modulus (300%) Tear Strength (pli) 37 1.7 2.4
D42 D31 1515 483 814 1142 411

59.00 10.00 11.00 20.00

56.38 9.59 7.20 26.82

53.31 9.87 4.05 32.77

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

85 3.5 5.3 D45 D35 1938 640 722 1106 386

138 5.5 15.0 D41 D32 1910 650 717 1068 414

resulting elastomer to such a large extent. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the free films increased and ultimately reached a plateau while a trend of decreasing modulus was detected. While these two series of formulations clearly show that reaction time can be greatly extended for polyurea caulking compounds, one must appreciate the effect that high decelerant level may have on the ultimate cure time of the elastomer. Delaying the gel- or work times for a polyurea system by a matter of minutes may subsequently prolong the time required to reach 90% cure by a matter of days (or in extreme cases, a number of weeks). Hence, an elastomer obtained from a slightly slower formulation may require a much longer cure period prior to its return to service than an analogous elastomer obtained from a formulation that may exhibit a slightly faster

reaction profile. When return-to-service time is a critical factor for an application, the true impact of these subtle differences in reaction times is an important aspect to consider. %NCO Variation A brief survey of the adhesive and sealant markets will quickly reveal that the product make-up of these areas is composed of materials covering a wide spectrum of physical properties. Table 3 attempted to group the majority of caulking compound-type products within three broad, property-based categories. To the product formulator, this classification system represents three target property ranges to which polyurea chemistry must be adapted to afford a sufficiently encompassing product base.

Table 7. Experimental elastomer formulations for %NCO study.

MDI-Based Prepolymer % NCO

A 10.5

B 12.9

C 15.4

Resin Blend JEFFAMINE D-2000 JEFFAMINE T-5000 ETHACURE 100 JEFFLINK 555 Processing Index Iso/Resin volume ratio Physical Property Gel Time (s) Work Time (min) Tack-Free Time (min) Hardness (0 s) (10s) Tensile Strength (psi) Elongation (%) Modulus (100%) Modulus (300%) Tear Strength (pli) It becomes paramount that a formulator be able to tailor the properties of polyurea elastomers to make them fully competitive in the adhesive and sealant markets. To that end, the analysis of system decelerants in this study showed that the physical properties of a polyurea caulking compound could be modulated via the judicious use of the JEFFLINK 555 chain extender. Work in the polyurea spray elastomer arena has also shown that variations in the prepolymer feedstock can be an important way to modulate material properties. For example, the chemical resistance of polyurea elastomers generated from 4,4-MDI-based quasi-prepolymers can often be superior to the chemical resistance of those elastomers prepared from 2,4-MDI-based counterparts. Consequently, longer open time, enhanced surface morphology, and greater flexibility (all important properties for a caulking compound) can generally be achieved through the use of 2,4-MDI-based quasi-prepolymers as opposed to the analogous 4,4-MDI-based systems.
117 7.4 16.0 A54/D16 A46/D11 314 487 152 269 160 66 2.5 16.0 A69/D22 A58/D13 443 498 256 401 195 42 1.7 7.1 A75/D28 A66/D19 450 230 351 NA 261

76.14 10.15 5.58 8.12

70.00 10.00 8.00 12.00

67.00 10.00 9.00 14.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

1.30 1.00

However, the isocyanate content, or %NCO value, of the quasi-prepolymer can have a dramatic impact upon the resulting elastomers reaction times and physical properties. To explore the relationship between a quasi-prepolymers %NCO value and the resulting elastomers properties, a series of formulations, summarized in Table 7, was prepared and dispensed. Table 7 highlights the various reaction time and physical property data obtained from the caulking compounds investigated in this portion of the study. The hardness of the resulting elastomers is greatly affected by the %NCO value of the base quasi-prepolymer used. Hardness values were obtained ranging from Shore A54, produced from the lowest %NCO value quasiprepolymer, to Shore A 75, corresponding to the highest %NCO value quasi-prepolymer. Figure 2 depicts a plot of elastomer hardness versus %NCO value. In this instance, a fairly linear relationship seems to exist between hardness and isocyanate content.

CONCLUSIONS The viability of formulating polyurea-based caulking compounds was explored in this study. The initial step in the iterative formulation process was to find the optimal system index that maximized those key physical properties desired in a caulking compound. Through evaluating a series of indices, it was discovered that a system index of ~1.30 offered the best balance between reaction time, tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, and tear strength. However, the major formulating obstacle that had to be overcome in the production of polyurea-based caulking compounds was extension of the extremely rapid gel- and work times. It was shown that the incorporation of system decelerants could effectively slow polyurea-based caulking compound formulations, in some cases producing systems with gel times in excess of two minutes. Furthermore, the JEFFLINK 555 chain extender proved to be a versatile decelerant also offering the ability to modulate and custom tailor elastomer physical properties. The %NCO value of the quasi-prepolymer that is employed can also impart a significant effect on the resulting elastomers physical properties. Targeted property ranges relating to hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength can be achieved through the selection of the proper isocyanate component. In summary, a number of raw material/physical property relationships have been discovered in this study regarding the formulation of polyureabased caulking compounds. The information gleaned from these experiments shows that it is possible to produce polyurea-based elastomers tailored to fit within the physical property ranges corresponding to commonly encountered caulking compounds. The authors hope the results of this study will encourage and inspire further research into the formulation of polyurea-based caulking compounds. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank Richard Romero for his efficiency, cooperation, and unparalleled skill in performing the various elastomer analyses. The authors would also like to acknowledge Al Perez for his contributions to this study.

Figure 2. Elastomer hardness as a function of prepolymer %NCO value.

As was discovered to be the case with polyurea spray elastomers, hardness in these polyurea caulking compounds appears to largely be a function of urea group density in the material. Previously, Reddinger and Hillman introduced the term Urea Density Index (UDI) as a means to quantify the prevalence of urea groups in an elastomer system. The UDI is calculated by dividing the number of theoretically formable urea groups (approximated from the equivalents of amine present in the formulation) by the total volume of polyurea system (in gallons). (The use of urethane-based prepolymers greatly simplifies this calculation.) Following such methodology, UDIs for this series of formulations are calculated to be 3.01 eq/gal (low %NCO), 3.51 eq/gal, and 3.76 eq/gal (high %NCO). Plotting such values, one finds that elastomer hardness for this series of formulations tracks linearly with increasing UDI in a similar manner to the hardness/%NCO value relationship highlighted in Figure 2. Given the relationships existing between %NCO value of the quasi-prepolymer and the various physical properties of the resulting elastomer, a formulator developing a highflexibility-type caulking compound might opt for a formulation base consisting of a low %NCO value quasi-prepolymer and the JEFFLINK 555 chain extender. This combination would offer an elastomer with a long open-time, low tensile strength, and high elongation at break value. However, that same formulator looking for a tough, high strength-type caulking compound may be inclined to utilize a high %NCO value quasi-prepolymer in conjunction with a UNILINK 4200 decelerant-based resin blend to maximize key elastomer properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and tear strength.

REFERENCES 1. Primeaux II, D.J Polyurea Spray Technology in Commercial Applications, 60 Years of Polyurethanes: International Symposium and Exhibition, 1998. Perez, A.; Reddinger, J. L.; Johnston, J. Modern Paint & Coatings, November 2000. Reddinger, J. L.; Hillman, K. M. Tuning the Properties of Polyurea Elastomer Systems via Raw Material Selection and Processing Parameter Modulation, Polyurethanes Latin America 2001 Conference Paper, Sao Paolo, Brazil.

2. 3.

BIOGRAPHY Jerry L. Reddinger Jerry Reddinger earned a B. S. in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994 and a Ph. D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Florida in 1997. After postdoctoral work at the University of Texas at Austin, he became a member of Nalco Chemical Companys polymer research group. Jerry joined Huntsman in 1998 and has supported application areas pertaining to metal working, specialty coatings, and chemicals for the electronics industry. Presently, Jerry is a senior chemist in Huntsman Corporations Austin Laboratories where he is responsible for Huntsmans polyurea technology development. Kenneth M. Hillman Ken joined Jefferson Chemical Company (later Huntsman Corporation) in 1976, working in the Process and Development Group. After almost a decade of involvement in the manufacture of polyols and polyamines, Ken transferred to the Urethane Group/Performance Polymers Section in 1984, where Ken was responsible for the first demonstration/ application of spray-applied polyurea elastomers. Ken now holds the position of Senior Technical Specialist at Huntsman Corporations Austin Laboratories where he continues to be involved in polyurea technology development.