Increasing the coating resistance against UV degradation and corrosion using nanocomposite coating

Abstract

In this research project, a nanocomposite coating was developed using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) associated with epoxy primer in order to increase coating resistance against ultra-violet radiation and corrosion. The effectiveness of this nanocomposite coating was evaluated by exposing it to ultra-violet light for different time period. To determine hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics of the different UV exposed coated surface, the water contact angle was measured on the surfaces. The UV degraded samples were also exposed to the salt fog corrosion chamber for 80 days. The coating performance tests were carried out using digital images, optical microscope, atomic force microscope (AFM) and thickness measurement. It was found that the addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes into the coating materials drastically increased the coating resistance against ultra-violet radiation and corrosion. Overall, this coating can be an option to solve the problem of the UV degradation and corrosion of metals and composites.