TRANSPARENT, ABRASION-RESISTANT COATINGS FOR METAL SUBSTRATES

Abstract

Novel hybrid inorganic-organic network materials have been synthesized and applied as transparent abrasion-resistant coatings for metal substrates. A specially functionalized low molecular weight organic material (diethylenetriamine) served as a precursor for all coating formulations. Combination of this functionalized organic material with metal alkoxide(s) and other alkoxysilane functional materials in the sol–gel reaction led to hybrid inorganic–organic chemical networks. While still a liquid, the initiated coating formulations were applied to the desired metal substrates by a spin coating process followed by thermal curing. The substrates used in this study included aluminum, plain steel, conversion coated steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass. A fluorinated monomer has also been utilized in selected cases to tailor the surface-free energy of the coatings. Such coatings displayed a linear increase in the water contact angle with increasing mass fraction of fluorinated monomer in the formulation. Other formulations have been explored that contain an ultraviolet absorbing species. The effects of coating formulation, cu mperature, and cure time on abrasion resistance have been determined.