Polymer Coatings: Understanding the Basics of Composition

Mention pigments to anyone and they will immediately think colour, but the pigment added to provide colour is only one of the properties it can impart. There are many different pigments that can be added to a coating and they determine many different properties – not just colour.

Pigments are largely solids (powder form) with particles of varying shape and size which remain as solid particles and do not dissolve in the vehicle.

Putting all of these components together in order to formulate a coating which will do what is expected of it is not an easy exercise. Imagine, all of the different binders, solvents, pigments and additives and the millions of different combinations that are possible!

Fillers can be included to bulk out the final product and reduce costs, but many “functional fillers” are used to modify the rheology of the coating, (how it flows) and impart covering power, increase storage stability and modify application behaviour.

Before we discuss the curing mechanisms of the major coating types it is perhaps prudent to eliminate a couple of misconceptions about coating cure.

The Key Differences between Polymer coatings

Generally, there are two distinct coating groups:

Inorganic – Coatings that are made using naturally occurring minerals but contain no carbon atoms.

Organic – These coatings, on the other hand, do contain carbon molecules and are generally formulated from ingredients that were once part of living organisms, plants, animal and vegetable oils.

The major difference between the two types is that inorganic coatings have a higher resistance to heat than organic coatings. But by no means is this the only difference.

However, regardless of whether a coating is organic or inorganic their curing chemistry is the same and would fall into two major categories.

1. Non-Convertible coatings
2. Convertible coatings

How Non-Convertible Coatings Work

Non-Convertible coatings are made from resins that are dissolved in solvents and cure or solidify once that solvent has evaporated. However, if exposed to that specific solvent or one with comparable solvency power, the cured coating will re-dissolve. In other words, the coating has not undergone any chemical change or conversion – simply the solvent evaporated and the applied film dried.

Since these types can be re-dissolved after full cure they are sometimes termed “Thermoplastic Coatings”. Typical examples of these coating types would be those based on Vinyl and Chlorinated rubber resins.

These types of coatings are extremely useful for maintenance applications as little surface preparation needs to be carried out. Essentially, the solvent attacks and softens the existing coating and ensures that the two layers fuse together. In effect, they cure as one thicker layer. Yet, these highly solvented coatings have fallen out of favour in most parts of the world as a consequence of the environmental damage from the volatile solvents.

There is a subclass of coatings which cure via evaporation known as Coalescent coatings. Here, the resin particles are usually dispersed in water (emulsion). As the water evaporates and dries, the particles of resin join (coalesce) to form the coating film.

How Convertible Coatings Work

These coating types may be solvented or 100% solids and undergo a chemical change during cure, such that they cannot be re-dissolved afterwards. Consequently, they are sometimes called “Thermosetting Coatings”

These coatings cure by polymerisation and this process is induced by several different chemical reactions. However, the major curing mechanisms in this class of coating are:

• Co reaction
• Oxidation
• Hydration
• Fusion

These coatings typically cure (polymerise) via a chemical reaction by at least two separate chemical groups. They are typically supplied in two separate containers known as a base and a hardener, solidifier or catalyst. Once these two components are mixed in the correct ratio the chemical reaction begins and heat is produced. This promotes the cross linking of the monomer molecules in the base material in order to produce the polymer. By modifying the chemistry of these types, they can be engineered to polymerise into either two or three-dimensional polymer matrices.

This form of polymerisation can be applied to many different chemistries such as: Epoxies, Polyurea’s, Polyaspartics, Urethanes and others.

These are coatings that cure by reaction with oxygen from the air. However, this reaction does not begin in earnest until any solvents have evaporated, leaving the coating film behind. Because the reaction itself is a surface effect it should be noted that these types of coatings cannot be applied in very thick layers or the surface will be fully cured and prevent oxygen from reaching the liquid coating below

I am sure that you have all applied one of these coatings in your home, only to find that a thick skin has formed with still liquid beneath? So, if your coating has wrinkled on the surface it is a sure sign of over thickness during application.

These types of coating are based on modified oils (vegetable or fish oil) an example of which would be an Alkyd. They should not be used in immersed service and should also not be used in alkaline conditions. In alkaline conditions a saponification reaction takes place; (the coating bond layer is turned into soap).  How many times have you walked past galvanised street furniture where the paint system is peeling off? This is a prime example of saponification due to a reaction between the drying oil used in the coating and the galvanised, alkaline, substrate.

Finally, the fusion-cured coatings are generally baked in heat ovens to obtain full cure. Typical examples would be Fusion-Bonded Epoxies, Enamels, Polyethylene, and thermal sprayed metals. They can be single or two component but require a particular temperature regime which must be carefully monitored to ensure full cure.