Coatings are multiphase, complex systems, that are applied on a substrate in one or more layers. They mainly serve to protect the substrate and improve aesthetic looks, but they can also have secondary functions like UV protection and water resistance. Coatings are subjected to constant research and development, because the number of different substrates is rising, the competition is strong and people are demanding simple ways of application. All coatings are generally made of 4 components: binder, volatile components, pigments and additives. Each of these components consists of carefully chosen materials, which improve the coating. It is very important that the coating is applied as easily as possible and that it adheres as strongly as possible to the substrate in addition to offering a maximum protection of the substrate.
In my bachelor thesis the research was focused to whether it is possible to predict the behaviour of the dry film on a substrate from the determination of rheological data of the liquid paint. The rheological data of two paints of different colour (white and green) were determined and compared. The results of the rheological tests were the viscosity and shear stress at different shear rates, yield stress, the range of linear viscoelastic response and the dynamic properties in the range of linear viscoelastic response.
The results of the rheological experiments showed that the white paint exhibited higher viscosity, shear stress and all others measured parameters. That shows that this coating is more resistant to the applied force, and does not allow easy penetration of the paint into the microscopic pores on the surface of a substrate. As a result, it is harder for the coating to bind in the surface of a substrate and thus the adhesion is weaker. The cross-cut tests gave similar results and showed a weaker adherence of the white coating to the substrate. The results of all tests showed that we can adequately determine the behaviour of a dry film by considering only the rheological properties of the liquid coating. However, the most accurate test of the properties of the dry film remains the application of the liquid coating to the substrate and long-time observation of the dry coating at various conditions.
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