Application of surface physics techniques to surface coatings

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a review of aspects of surface coatings investigated at the Applied Physics Department, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, in consultation with Dulux (Australia). The major aim for Applied Physics is the application of surface physics techniques to the development of surface coatings. The principal techniques include scanning and transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, microprobe analysis, spectrophotometry, depthcomposition profiling by Auger spectroscopy, and ion‐beam erosion. The major surface‐coating projects have been: (a) development of white paint without pigment in which water emulsions were used to provide air bubbles to replace pigment as light‐scattering centers with the aim of finding the system with best optical and physical properties; (b) surface defects in paint films: a number of defects have been investigated, including overspray cratering, loss of gloss by microcracking, and change of color by the action of Benard Cells in high solids paint films; (c) the mechanism of marking of flat plastic interior paints when wiped; and (d) adhesion between coating and substrate: several surface coating‐substrate combinations are being examined by Auger spectroscopy and ion‐beam erosion.