Degradation of Coatings under Atmospheric Tropical Conditions

The weather resistance of five coatings systems based on alkyd, chlorinated rubber, epoxy, polyurethane and fluoropolymer were studied by natural exposure test and accelerated test. The coatings were exposed at Hanoi station with urban industry atmosphere and at Baichay station with marine atmosphere. The degradation of coatings was evaluated by gloss measurement and surface analysis by scanning electronic microscopy. The results obtained show that among coatings tested the gloss of polyurethane and fluoropolymer coatings remained highly and those of alkyd, chlorinated rubber and epoxy coatings were very low after two years of atmospheric exposure. Under accelerating conditions the gloss of fluoropolymer coatings remained highly after 80 cycles of testing. By comparison with accelerating test in UV-condensation chamber the conditions at atmospheric stations are more aggressive.