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The project objectives were to establish a scientific basis
for the formulation of liquid self-stratifying coatings, to
provide and characterise coatings for metal, plastic and wood
substrates, and to develop a model to enable paint formulators to
predict which polymer combinations would stratify. The main
achievements were:
(i) The compilation of a comprehensive database of physical
properties of coatings resins and polymers, most of it derived
from experimental measurements carried out in the course of the
project.
(ii) A study of the factors governing stratification
behaviour. Theoretical treatments were developed and tested for
predicting the point of phase decomposition and the composition
of the separate phases. A model was also developed for predicting
the viscosity of polymer solutions.
(iii) Prototype non-aqueous formulations of coatings suitable
for metal, plastic and wood were developed. The location of
pigments in the appropriate layers remains a problem although
some success was achieved. Application trials confirmed
laboratory findings but emphasised the difficulty of preventing
pigment migration between layers. Preliminary field testing did
not reveal any major problems of performance.
A feasibility study of aqueous coatings demonstrated that some
stratification could be achieved with mixtures of aqueous polymer
dispersions.
(iv) A predictive model was developed based on discriminant
analysis of the experimental results.
Further Information
If you are interested in this, or any other project, please contact Richard Holman.
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