Investigation of White Basecoats for Fast-Responding Pressure-Sensitive Paints

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a white basecoat suitable for fast-responding pressure-sensitive paints (PSP). The white basecoat, applied as a primer layer for PSP, is used to cover the model surface to provide a uniform white background and to increase the luminescent intensity of PSP. However, it has been reported that PSP properties are often altered when the PSP solution dissolves the surface of the white basecoat during PSP application. In addition, an increase in the thickness of the PSP layer slows down the time response of the fast-responding PSP. To create an ideal white basecoat for fast-responding PSP without causing these problems, we proposed using a porous white basecoat with a water-soluble polymer (poly(acrylic acid): PAA) for a fast-responding PSP with a polymer that dissolves in toluene (poly (isobutyl methacrylate): PIBMA). This combination prevents the fast-responding PSP and the white basecoat from melting together and maintains the time response, pressure sensitivity, and temperature sensitivity. However, the luminescent lifetime tended to be slightly longer: this likely due to the slight penetration of PSP dye into the porous white basecoat.