The Late, Mr. Hugh Barrett, was a well-respected technical consultant with APV Engineered Coatings from 2002 to 2021. He had a vast chemical engineering background and was instrumental to the company in formulating for unique coating challenges.

Barrett entered the U.S. Navy in 1965 and served as a Petty Officer Second Class Gunner’s Mate responsible for the operation and maintenance of small arms, torpedoes, vertical launching systems and gun systems. Barrett served time aboard the USS Terrebonne Parish (LST-1156), USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708), and completed training and operations on the Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea before his honorable discharge in 1972.

Barrett found his way to the chemical industry in 1980, starting as a plant engineer and PVC formulator with Proto Corporation. He became a research scientist then laboratory supervisor in 1987 with Polyplastex International and worked as a Federal Aviation Administration Designated Engineering Representative, among other positions. In 1995, Hugh developed and manufactured custom PVDF-based chemistries with PVDF Products LLC, where he served as president. His expansive polymer and solvent research have been implemented into commercial products for the marine, automotive, aerospace, industrial fabrics, and architectural industries. Barrett is well known for his engineering and constructing of test instruments, including air-powered laboratory rotogravures, goniometers, FAA-approved heat release rate chambers and smoke density test tunnels for flammability studies.

Articles from the author

Technical Paper

Inhibiting Microbes with Topcoat Technology

By: Hugh Barrett

Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, can live on a surface for months. Manufacturers of flexible vinyl, films, fabrics and textiles use engineered antimicrobial (AM) lacquers and barrier topcoats to offer an extra level of protection against harmful microbes, even when they have incorporated AM additives or biocides into the vinyl formulation during the compounding process. A liquid AM finish applied to a fabric or flexible vinyl provides a bacteria-fighting layer directly on the surface and blocks the migration of the additives in the vinyl, a food source for microbe growth, over time.

Technical Paper

Pink Stain Damage on Vinyl Surfaces

By: Hugh Barrett

Pink stain is a common problem on marine fabrics such as seating cushions, upholstery flooring and other vinyl surfaces. Once the stain happens, it cannot be cleaned. However, there are ways to prevent pink stain in the first place, through either preventing the growth of the bacteria that causes it or by sealing the substrate with a coating.

Mixing coating at APV
Technical Paper

Enhancing Environmental Compliance with Water-Based Coatings

By: Hugh Barrett

Like companies in many industries, plastics fabricators and decorators are searching for ways to be more environmentally friendly. They’re doing so not only to avoid fines or scrutiny from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or to comply with California’s Prop 65, but also to reduce operating costs, create a safer workplace for employees and achieve corporate sustainability goals.