The present work was performed at Sherwin–Williams Sweden group AB with the objective of comparing short-wavelength light emitting diodes (UVB/UVC) with the conventional mercury arc lamp as a curing method of acrylate-based, UV-paint undergoing free-radical polymerization when exposed to UV-radiation. Due to environmental and health risks, mercury-doped radiation sources will be phased out in the near future, according to the United Nations Minamata convention, hence new alternatives are needed. Light-emitting diodes differ from the mercury arc lamp as they provide semi-discrete output intensity lines within the UV spectrum instead of a broad output distribution with several main intensity lines. The power output is also considerably lower compared to the conventional method which limits the irradiance and dose that are key parameters in activating and propagating free-radical polymerization of UV-paint. Seven different light-emitting diodes between 260–320 nm was examinedand compared to the conventional mercury arc lamp. Cured coatings were evaluated by measuring the relative extent of acrylate conversion with ATR-FTIR and micro-hardness indentation test. Both methods correlate to the relative cross-linking density and qualitatively describe the curing process for each radiant source at a specific irradiance and dose. Three different paint formulations with widely different properties were used in the experiments. All three paints were able to cure with one or several light emitting diodes at comparable doses and 10 to 20 times lower irradiance to the conventional mercury arc lamp, resulting in similar acrylate conversion and hardness.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Retailing is a common modern day phenomenon for which there are many angles of research widely and easily available. Retailing in the context of the global paint and coatings industry however, is a more specified and unique field of study of which resources for research are few. Having had the opportunity of a first-hand close-up inside look into, not only one of the world’s leading paint and coatings companies, but also the global leader in company-owned paint and coatings retailing. This global leader not only led to the origin of my research, but also rekindled the passion within for the global paint and coatings industry and trade. Prior to my employment by PPG, towards the end of 2013, I intentionally embarked on a journey with The Sherwin Williams Company during 2011 to 2013, in collaboration with my current employer at the time, Duraline paints, who afforded me the opportunity only a few people had or ever will.. During the course of four years, I had the opportunity to not only meet a series of wonderful people across the various segments, as well as internal departments of the Sherwin Williams Company globally. Additionally I also had the opportunity to visit the company’s headquarters, 101 Prospector Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, on numerous occasions whilst staying in close proximity for the duration of the training and strategic planning sessions, in preparation to duplicate the SHW in South Africa. During my involvement with The Sherwin Williams Company, it was evident that the backbone of the company’s sales model, was the consistency as well as continuous growth of the Paint Stores Group; which is the leading North American retail segment of SHW. Since 2011, in an effort to establish the best method of implementation of this sales model in South Africa, various concepts were explored from several angles. It became evident that much research was required to establish feasibility of the SHW sales model in South Africa. Preliminary research however, would have had to be conducted of what the SHW sales model entailed and how it would benefit the company in being a global leader, thereby also exploring the possibility of it being an industry best practice as foundation to what was precisely required to be implemented in South Africa, prior to establishing feasibility in South Africa. The preliminary research became the primary and sole focus of this research project, not only fulfilling the research needs as explained above, but also to serve as evidence of what I perceived the SHW company and the Paint Stores Group to be whilst dealing with the company.