Novel Methods of Producing Low-Reflectance Coatings Utilizing Synergistic Effects of Polymer Phase Separation.
Novel methods were developed to generate and characterize surface structures formed from polymer segregation within a powder coating system. A blend of unique acrylic polyol resins and low concentrations of matting agent afforded a durable coating exhibiting consistent low reflectance. An enhanced synergistic effect was observed from the phase separation and domain formation of the two polymeric resins with varying pendent hydroxyl group functionality and the incorporated matting agents. Together the domains and incorporated matting agents produced a significantly lower reflectance coating than the matting agent in combination with either polymeric resin alone. The rigorous thermal, optical, and spectroscopic analysis of the pigmented coating and control coatings culminated in the complete characterization of polymeric phases within the resulting coatings. Raman analysis of the control coatings via a distinct spectroscopic handle allowed for positive identification of the segregated polymer resins within the coating structure. Domains observed by optical microscopy within the control coating structure were chemically identified via Raman analysis as the high-hydroxyl content resin. Subsequent Raman mapping of the peak intensity over an entire cross-section provided consistent evidence for positive identification of the polymeric composition within the domain.
Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory , Code 6124, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States.
Spencer L
SL
Giles
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States.
Nicholas W M
NW
Heller
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States.
Clive R
CR
Clayton
The Sherwin-Williams Company, 101 West Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, United States.
Mark E
ME
Walker
The Sherwin-Williams Company, 101 West Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, United States.
Mark J
MJ
Wytiaz
Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory , Code 6124, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States.
James H
JH
Wynne
Raman spectroscopy; domains; low gloss; polymeric phase separation; surface roughness