Nano-reinforced paint?

[geneiusxie]

Hi,

Would it be possible to add fumed silica, carbon nanotubes, chopped fiberglass strands, or carbon black to epoxy/polyurethane based paint to make them harder, stronger, and more durable?
I know that carbon black and fumed silica has made tires 10x stronger and much more abrasion resistant, so if it works on rubber, would it work on plastic?
Thanks.

 

[cloa]

Original post

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=340637

 

[babouic]

Glass flake is quite used to reinforced paint, by not it's not nano.

 

[Demon3]

Yes, reinforcements work on coatings, elastomers, plastics etc.. They are already used in coatings.

Chris DeArmitt

http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdearmitt/

 

[geneiusxie]

Huh. Can you guys give me some links that describe how effective and how much of a difference it makes? And are these products in production or are they just theoretical? Thanks.

 

[Demon3]

They are in production. You can read about it in books or do a Google search and find information on it. The right particles can improve strength, modulus, impact, corrosion resistance, wear, adhesion and lower CTE.

Chris DeArmitt

http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdearmitt/

 

[CoryPad]

PPG Ceramiclear is one example of nano-scale reinforcement:

http://www.ppg.com/coatings/autooem/products/Pages/clearcoat.aspx

 

[TomDOT]

As mentioned, glass flake and ceramics are probably the most common pigments used in paints for improved hardness and wear resistance. A variety of silicas can be used, but you cannot add much fumed silica. Due to the extremely high surface area per weight, the resin demand is enormous, which is why it is typically used primarily to increase viscosity. Carbon nanotubes are cost-prohibitive. Even carbon fiber is rare. An enormous variety of pigments have been used in coatings.

A good starter book on paints and coatings is Clive Hare's "Protective Coatings: Fundamentals of Chemistry and Composition"