Request Expert

During his tenure as Head of the Advanced Chemistry and Analytical Research Department at PPG Industries, Expert guided research in inorganic membranes, conductive fiberglass products, flame-retardant fiberglass products, and acid- and base-resistant fiberglass products. He explored the use of fiberglass for catalytic applications. Expert also studied cold plasma activation and surface modifications of continuously moving fiberglass bundles for promoting adhesion with different substrates.

Expert directed research in the hybrid effects of fiberglass with other fibers in thermoplastic and thermosetting composites. His experience has shown Expert how to take advantage of unique properties of individual fibers that, when blended together with another fiber in a composite, display a synergistic effect.

Expert guided the development of a non-discoloring resin for sheet molding compound (SMC) and developed a SMC product that sold over 200 million pounds over a period of 10 years. He developed SMC from mat technology for lower cost and for product quality consistency. Expert guided research into the development of silylated polymers and ionic polymers for thermoplastic reinforcement applications. He also explored polymers in Azdel technology for applications that require higher temperature durability than obtained from polypropylene.

Expert has analyzed textile products such as contamination in circuit boards and defects in reinforced products such as pipes and panels. These investigations were carried out using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (with EDX and WDX systems) as well as image analysis. He conducted thermal analytical research using DSC, TGA, and TMA systems and dynamic mechanical characterization of polymers and composites using DMA systems.

COMPOSITE MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION. Trace element characterization along with trace defect analysis were conducted by Expert using GC/MS with pyroprobe and pryolysis units. He has carried out liquid and gel permeation chromatographic characterization of polymers, oligomers, and reaction products with structural details of collected fractions in addition to determining their molecular weight distribution. Spectral characterization of polymers, extracts, and composites were conducted using FT-IR, ATR, and ultraviolet and visual spectroscopy.

Expert developed novel tire materials in the area of rubber-short fiber composites and rubber-plastics stable blends. He was awarded three US patents for his work in this area. In addition, Expert improved rubber compounds for use with polyester and fiberglass tire cords. He studied the effects of structural changes in tire cords during coating and heat setting processes as it affected tire performance. He also studied tire thermodynamics (fluid-cooled tires).

Knowing that thermoplastics bring toughness to composite materials, Expert is aware that this property advantage can work against thermoplastic composites in some situations, particularly in its long term creep characteristics. Thermosets, on the other hand, show superior creep resistance but poor dampening behavior. Thermoplastic elastomers are unique in the fact that they can be processed like thermoplastics and show dampening behavior like thermoplastics. But in the molded state, below the processing temperature, their segments aggregate to impart a pseudo crosslinking effect. Thus, Expert maintains, by using thermoplastic elastomers one can obtain both the creep resistance and adequate dampening.

At Armstrong, Expert developed a non-PVC flooring structure, meeting all the property requirements. Expert was a consultant with GAF Inc for more than two and a half years starting from March of 2002. Expert was consulting with them on roofing materials (shingles) with polymer blends in u/f resin for better asphalt compatibility and tear property advantages. Expert was also advising them on analytical techniques to determining adhesion between asphalt and fiberglass mats. In 2005, Expert also consulted with Masco company advising them on fire retardants.