Effects of SiO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles on Epoxy Coatings and Its Performance Investigation Using Thermal and Nanoindentation Technique.

Mohammad Asif Alam,Mohd Ubaidullah,Manawwer Alam,Saeed M. Al-Zahrani,Ubair Abdus Samad,Arfat Anis

doi:10.3390/polym13091490

Mohammad Asif Alam, Mohd Ubaidullah + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091490

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Abstract

Synergistic formulations were developed with nano-pigments, and their effects on the mechanical properties on steel substrates and structures were evaluated. This paper provides a complete analysis of the epoxy coating, focusing on the incorporation of nano-pigments and their synergistic effects in obtaining higher mechanical properties. This study reports the preparation of epoxy nano-silica composites, their characterization, and the development of coatings based on nano-silica and ZnO particles. In this composite, epoxy resin was incorporated with SiO2 as the main pigment and ZnO as a synergistic pigment to achieve high-performance epoxy coatings for multiple applications. The mechanical properties of these coatings (ESZ1–ESZ3) were evaluated by nanoindentation, and were used to measure the enhanced durability of nanocomposite coatings developed with synergistic formulations with different types of nanoparticles. Their performance was evaluated before and after exposure to a 3.5% NaCl solution to examine the changes of hardness and elastic modulus. The results showed that the nanoindentation technique, in conjunction with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, could examine the durability and predict the service life of nanocomposite coatings. A correlation was observed between the modulus and hardness before and after exposing epoxy composite coatings (ESZ1–ESZ3) to a 3.5% NaCl solution.

Highlights

FTIR characteristic peaks were obtained on ZnO incorporated epoxy coating samples
The samples were prepared by dispersing nanoparticles in epoxy resin with sonication
The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the crystallinity of the composite coatings increased with increase in the ZnO content

Summary

Introduction

The development of high-performance multifunctional coatings with scratch and abrasion resistance and durable coatings for the surface of various steel substrates has remained a challenging task for outdoor and industrial applications. Nowadays industrial and protective coating systems are designed to achieve multi-functions, e.g., protection, high mechanical properties, fire resistance, and corrosion resistance [1,2,3,4]. The protective coating system has significant importance, under service conditions of exposure to the aggressive environments of corrosion and chemical attacks. High temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) rays degrade these coatings in harsh atmospheres and reduce their performance. Optimized epoxy formulations are fabricated with nanoparticles, such as silica and ZnO, to achieve high scratch and abrasion resistance properties and protection from harsh atmospheres and environmental hazards

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