Ideality of pressure-sensitive paint. IV. Improvement of luminescence behavior by addition of pigment

Abstract

We report the effect of inorganic pigments on the diffusion properties of a polymer matrix. The presence of pigments has a large effect on the frequency factor and the activation energy of the diffusion of oxygen in the polymer matrix. This effect is used to modify the overall temperature dependence of the luminescence in pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). Ideality of luminescence (i.e., independent effect of pressure and temperature on the luminescence intensity) can be achieved with a PSP formulation by using a low-cost and commercial silicone polymer using Al2O3 as the pigment. Ideality temperature limits (ITL) can be tailored by adjusting the pigment volume concentration (PVC) in the paint formulation. With the appropriate adjustment of PVC, the luminescence characteristics of the PSP can be designed to suit the particular needs of the wind-tunnel researchers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2824–2831, 2000