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A macroscopically nondestructive method for characterizing surface mechanical properties of polymeric coatings under accelerated weathering

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Abstract

The surface of coatings and plastics is the first target in any degradation process initiated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation or mechanical stress (via scratch and abrasion). Surface damage can lead to changes in optical, morphological, and mechanical properties and can result in pathways for ingress of moisture and corrosive agents. Current test methods for monitoring performance of protective coatings focus on chemical properties and optical properties, such as color and gloss measurements, or invasive tests such as abrasion and cross-cut adhesion. In this study, a macroscopically nondestructive performance protocol using nanoindentation metrology via a well-controlled scratch test was applied to evaluate the scratch resistance and monitor the surface mechanical property changes in a protective coating under accelerated weathering. Polyurethane (PU) coatings with different polyol compositions were chosen for this study. Coating specimens were exposed to high-intensity UV radiation at 55°C and 75% RH conditions. Exposed specimens were removed at specified UV exposure times for surface modulus/hardness and scratch resistance characterization via nanoindentation and scratch test. The effect of polyol type and UV radiation dose on the scratch damage (scratch morphology) was investigated and correlated with the surface hardness and modulus of the materials.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the NIST-Industry Polymer Surface and Interphase Consortium (PSI- former name PIC: Polymer Interphase Consortium). PSI/PIC Industrial members include: Visteon Corporation, Dow Chemical Co., PPG Industries, MTS System Corporation, IAC-North America, Arkema Inc., Eastman Chemical Co., Boeing Co., BYK, SABIC, Anton Paar Co. The authors give special thanks to Eastman Chemical Co. for providing the PU samples reported on here.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Ching-Hsuan Chang, Chun-Chieh Tien, Hsiang-Chun Hsueh & Lipiin Sung

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  1. Ching-Hsuan Chang
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  2. Chun-Chieh Tien
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  3. Hsiang-Chun Hsueh
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Correspondence to Lipiin Sung.

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Chang, CH., Tien, CC., Hsueh, HC. et al. A macroscopically nondestructive method for characterizing surface mechanical properties of polymeric coatings under accelerated weathering. J Coat Technol Res 15, 913–922 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-017-0042-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-017-0042-3

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