Prevention of surface crack formations on polymeric coatings using carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Polymeric coatings are frequently utilized for the protection of materials surface against UV light and other environmental factors (e.g., oxygen, pollutants and moistures) by many industries. However, the organic films have yet to be perfected and failures due to the degradation caused by the environmental factors are potential hazards. These hazards can cost the US economy billions of dollars and cause serious accidents. In order to minimize UV and other environmental factors on the polymeric coatings, new studies are focused on functional coating systems. In the present study, we have developed a nanocomposite coatings to reduce the crack formations and increase the life-time of the coatings. Different weight percentages (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%) of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were indvidually dispersed in the coating maetrials, and then sprayed on the surfaces of aircraft Al alloys. UV light and salt chamber tests were applied to the prepared coating samples. Optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies showed that the micro and nanocrack formations on coatings were significanly lowered at higher MWCNT loadings (e.g., 2%). As a results, it is concluded that CNTs played a vital role in protecting of polymeric coatings against UV degradation and corrosion.