- Author
- Gu, X. | Sung, L. P. | Ho, D. L. | Michaels, C. A. | Nguyen, D. | Jean, Y. C. | Nguyen, T.
- Title
- Surface and Interface Properties of PVDF/Acrylic Copolymer Blends Before and After UV Exposure.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD University of Missouri-Kansas City, MO PPG Industries, Inc., Allison Park, PA
- Book or Conf
- Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) Technical Program Annual Meeting, 80th. October 30-November 1, 2002, Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, Blue Bell, PA, New Orleans, LA, 2002
- Keywords
- coatings | copolymers | exposure | durability | interface/interphase | microstructure
- Abstract
- Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based coatings are increasingly used for protecting outdoor structures. Due to the unique structure of PVDF, these coatings exhibit excellent chemical resistance, outstanding gloss retention, good flexibility, and renowned ability to resist chalking and cracking during weathering. It has been reported that PVDF resins have a 35-year history of outstanding performance in outdoor application. Weathering test in Florida also showed that the gloss of PVDF coatings increased by 15% over four years when a typical acrylic coating exhibited a 60% decrease in gloss over the same period. However, the chemical inertness of PVDF prevents good adhesion to substrates and makes it difficult to disperse pigments. Other disadvantages of PVDF coatings, such as inability to produce a glossy finish, high melt viscosity, inferior scratching and marring resistance and high cost, make it indispensable to introduce a secondary polymer component to optimize the performance of PVDF materials. The most widely used class of polymers is acrylic resin, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its copolymers. These polymers have not only good compatibility with PVDF but also provide good heat resistance, mechanical properties, weatherability and optical clarity.