Abstract
Electrostatic spraying (ES) was used to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/waterborne polyurethane (WPU) abrasion-proof, conductive coatings to improve the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of WPU coatings. The dispersity of MWCNTs and the electrical conductivity, surface hardness, and wear resistance of the coating prepared by ES (ESC) were investigated. The ESC was further compared with coatings prepared by brushing (BrC). The results provide a theoretical basis for the preparation and application of conductive WPU coatings with excellent wear resistance. The dispersity of MWCNTs and the surface hardness and wear resistance of ESC were obviously better than those of BrC. With an increase in the MWCNT content, the surface hardness of both ESC and BrC went up. As the MWCNT content increased, the wear resistance of ESC first increased and then decreased, while the wear resistance of BrC decreased. It was evident that ESC with 0.3 wt% MWCNT was fully capable of conducting electricity, but BrC with 0.3 wt% MWCNT failed to conduct electricity. The best wear resistance was achieved for ESC with 0.3 wt% MWCNT. Its wear rate (1.18 × 10−10 cm3/mm N) and friction coefficient (0.28) were the lowest, which were 50.21% and 20.00% lower, respectively, than those of pure WPU ESC.
Highlights
Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with water as the dispersion medium is a class of eco-friendly coatings [1,2,3]
The best wear resistance was achieved for electrostaticspraying spraying (ESC) with 0.3 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)
When the MWCNT content was 0.3 wt% (Figure 1A), the MWCNTs in ESC were relatively evenly dispersed without obvious agglomeration and sedimentation
Summary
Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with water as the dispersion medium is a class of eco-friendly coatings [1,2,3]. The poor mechanical strength and performance of WPU and its inability to conduct electricity may restrict its applications in some working conditions where relatively high antistatic property and wear resistance is required. When the MWCNT content is high, the antistatic property of the coating can satisfy the application requirements [17,18,19], but the composite coating structure would be loose, and the bond strength of the coating to the metal substrate may be poor. A series of MWCNT/WPU nanocomposite coatings were prepared by ES to enhance the dispersity of conductive fillers to some extent and promote the antistatic and mechanical properties of the WPU coating. This work provides a theoretical basis for the preparation and application [20,21] of MWCNT/WPU abrasion-proof, conductive coatings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
