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Durability of Paints, Plastics, and Paper Laminates

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Pigments, Extenders, and Particles in Surface Coatings and Plastics

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Abstract

Many paints, particularly those intended for outdoor applications, are intended to enhance the durability of the substrate onto which they are applied. The persistence of this enhancement is determined by the durability of the paint film, which, in turn, is determined primarily by the resistance of the paint resin to degradation on exposure to the elements. Similarly, there are durability expectations for plastics that are used outdoors, as there are for paper laminates that are exposed to sunlight. The degree of resin resistance to degradation is controlled primarily by the chemical identity of the resin. However, particles in the film—particularly TiO2 particles—can also have an important role. Ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight is responsible for much of the damage seen in exposed paints and plastics, and TiO2 has two opposing effects on the resistance of a film to UV-induced degradation. As a very strong UV light absorber, TiO2 protects underlying resin from degradation. However, some of the UV light that is absorbed by the TiO2 can cause highly reactive radicals to form on the TiO2 particle surface, and these can migrate into the film and degrade resin molecules. By addressing the mechanism of this reaction sequence, the TiO2 producer can minimize the extent of radical formation.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This can be contrasted with "molecular solids", which are composed of discrete molecules held together by weak attractive interactions. There are no chemical bonds between atoms of separate molecules in molecular solids.

  2. 2.

    This is not to be confused with the valence orbitals on atoms or small molecules (Chap. 8), since in those cases, the term “valence” is applied to both filled and unfilled orbitals, whereas with network solids the term “valence” applies only to the HOMO bands.

  3. 3.

    An interesting observation was made in the 1940s regarding resin erosion. A number of automotive paints were exposed to the elements in the high Andes mountains [5]. This was done to accelerate durability testing—the UV intensity of sunlight increases significantly with elevation. When the panels were returned to the laboratory, the films appeared to have changed little. However, when placed in water, the films completely disintegrated. The explanation is that there was little to no rainfall in this part of the Andes, and so the all the degradation intermediates remained in the films, holding them together, until they were submerged in water.

  4. 4.

    Depending on the identity of any color pigments in the film, these particles may also accumulate loosely on the surface.

  5. 5.

    Fade is also seen when the color pigment degrades and no longer absorbs light strongly (see Chap. 8).

  6. 6.

    The time element of these tests is not shown directly in Fig. 14.16. However, the delta L* shifts increase with time, and so when moving from left to right in this graph we are moving from short exposure times to longer ones.

  7. 7.

    Care must be taken in this section and the next to not confuse the acronym PVC for being “pigment volume concentration”, which is how this acronym is used most commonly in this book.

  8. 8.

    This reaction is often described as the formation of a reduced titanium atom in the + 3 oxidation state (Ti3+). However, these excess electrons are actually delocalized over the entire TiO2 lattice.

  9. 9.

    Of course, complete dispersion is desired for other reasons as well.

  10. 10.

    This is analogous to the tinting strength described in Chap. 13.

  11. 11.

    This was discussed this earlier in the section on ultimate durability.

  12. 12.

    For reference, the minimum UV wavelength required to break a typical C–C single bond ranges from 315 to 345 nm, a C-F bond requires approximately 250 nm, a C-H bond requires approximately 290 nm, and an ether bond requires approximately 355 nm.

  13. 13.

    There are no doubts that many reasons exist for poor correlation between accelerated and outdoor exposure test results. The following discussion details just one of these reasons and will not apply to every case of poor correlation.

  14. 14.

    This is similar to the darkening seen when décor paper is exposed to UV light—see Fig. 14.18.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Titanium Technologies, Chemours, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Michael Diebold

  2. Titanium Technologies, Chemours Belgium BVBA, Kallo, Belgium

    Steven De Backer

  3. The Chemours Discovery Hub, Newark, The Chemours Company, Newark, DE, USA

    Philipp M. Niedenzu

  4. The Chemours Discovery Hub, The Chemours Company, Newark, DE, USA

    Brett R. Hester

  5. Titanium Technologies, Chemours Belgium BVBA, Kallo, Belgium

    Frank A. C. Vanhecke

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Diebold, M., Backer, S.D., Niedenzu, P.M., Hester, B.R., Vanhecke, F.A.C. (2022). Durability of Paints, Plastics, and Paper Laminates. In: Pigments, Extenders, and Particles in Surface Coatings and Plastics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99083-1_14

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