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Surface characterization of polyester resins formulated with different cross‐linking agents
Author(s) -
Marino Paolo,
Lowe Chris,
Abel MarieLaure,
Watts John F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.2767
Subject(s) - coating , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , melamine , materials science , curing (chemistry) , tin , chemical engineering , polyester , polymer chemistry , composite material , engineering , metallurgy
Three thermally cured coatings, formulated on a low Tg isophthalic‐based polyester, were investigated by XPS and ToF‐SIMS. A model formulation was employed for all three coatings investigated; however, the cross‐linking agents used were varied for each formulation. Hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM), tris‐isocyanurate (TIC), and a combination of HMMM and TIC were included as the cross‐linking agents. The use of TIC alone required a tin‐based catalyst to promote the curing reaction. The aim of this work was to investigate the difference in the surface compositions of the three coatings and the distribution of the different cross‐linking agents used. This was in preparation for further studies which will involve interfacial analysis in order to elucidate the mechanism responsible for intercoat adhesion. The XPS analysis of the coating surfaces revealed a nitrogen concentration consistent with the concentration expected from the formulation for the coating containing HMMM. In the other two formulations a lower concentration than calculated was observed. The surface concentration of the two cross‐linking agents was not influenced by the presence of the others; indeed, the formulation containing both cross‐linking agents was, in terms of nitrogen concentration, merely a simple combination of the other two coatings. Peaks diagnostic of the cross‐linking agents were observed in ToF‐SIMS spectra acquired from the coating surfaces. By using XPS and ToF‐SIMS analysis, we could determine that the HMMM and the TIC have a different distribution at the coating surface, that is not affected by the presence of the other. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.