New urethane gel coat for wind energy market available

PPG Industries’ commercial coatings group has announced that it will globally market and distribute a new urethane gel coat for the wind energy market. Developed and manufactured by Plasticolors, Inc., of Ashtabula, Ohio, the gel coat is available in clear for wind blades and pigmented for nacelles. The companies will work together to address the advanced coating requirements of the rapidly expanding wind energy industry.
The clear gel coat, "AGC200", features good adhesion to epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester and urethane composite substrates, low viscosity for smooth application, and the option of having open time for lamination up to three days. The clear and transparent liquid remains as such in a cured film. Benefits offered include solvent-free composition, flexible urethane film, and the ability to be modified to meet application requirements. The clear gel coat enables visual inspection of composite laminate for defects and may be recoated using high-solids urethane and epoxy primers and urethane topcoats. The pigmented gel coat can be applied at lower film thickness than traditional gel coats and provides high gloss and distinctness of image.