The effects of filler/polymer acid-base interactions in model coating systems

Abstract

The water vapor permeability of glass-bead-filled phenoxy films was shown to depend strongly on the degree of interfacial interaction between the filler and matrix; the greater the adhesion, the lower the permeability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the glass surface and the corresponding degree of adhesion between the filler and polymer matrix. Maximum interaction between the acidic phenoxy and glass filler was obtained when the glass had been treated with an aminopropyltriethoxysilane, which yielded a basic surface overall. Retention of the cellosolve acetate solvent was also reduced by the glass filler, especially by the more basic glass. The dynamic mechanical properties were affected primarily by the presence of residual solvent.

Keywords:

• Acid-base interactions
• interfacial interactions
• filled phenoxy coatings
• glass surface
• aminosilane