Abstract:
Polymers and oligomers are often used in thermosetting (thermoset) coatings because
they can provide a cross-linked solid material that cannot be melted. Properties,
including exterior durability, corrosion resistance, and solvent resistance, are appealing in
the coatings industry because they can be applied to a substrate as a layer of protection.
When a substrate is not protected, it is exposed to thermal, ultra-violet, biological, and
chemical degradation. Once the substrate begins to corrode it can become defective,
dangerous, and expensive to repair. For years, coatings have been applied to vehicles to
prevent corrosion of the substrate. This concern is critical for all military ground vehicles
that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as sea water, as well as potential
attack from chemical warfare agents. This study focuses on the performance of two
component hybrid organosilane coatings based on epoxy- and amine- functional materials
versus a commercially available polyurethane coating currently used on military ground
vehicles. Different ratios of epoxy to amines and a blend of different additives were
prepared to formulate a chemical resistant coating. Coatings were exposed to water and
non-polar liquids (e.g., chemical warfare agent simulants (CWAS)) and analyzed using
multiple analytical techniques. This study identified formulations that provided better
chemical repellency than the polyurethane chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) used
by the military.
