Improving the adhesion strength of silicone coatings with polyether amine blends

2023-05-08 15:23:04

Silicone coatings are known for their excellent properties, such as high temperature resistance, electrical insulation and water repellency. However, they have traditionally struggled with poor adhesion strength to substrates such as metals and plastics. This has led to the development of various methods to improve adhesion of silicone coatings, such as using primers, surface treatments, and additives.

One promising approach to enhance adhesion of silicone coatings is to incorporate polyether amine blends (PEAs). PEAs are a type of polyurethane chemistry that has been used in various applications, such as adhesives, sealants, and coatings. They are known for their good adhesion strength and high flexibility, which make them suitable for enhancing the adhesion of silicone coatings.

Studies have shown that incorporating PEAs into silicone coatings can significantly improve adhesion strength to various substrates. In one study, PEA blends were added to a silicone coating and applied onto steel substrates. The adhesion strength of the coating was measured using the pull-off method. It was found that the adhesion strength increased by more than 50% compared to the control coating without PEAs.

Another study looked at the adhesion strength of a silicone coating on plastic substrates. The plastic was pretreated with a plasma treatment to enhance its surface energy. The silicone coating with PEA blends was then applied onto the plasma-treated plastic substrate. The adhesion strength was again measured using the pull-off method. It was found that the adhesion strength increased by more than 80% compared to the control coating without PEAs.

The mechanism by which PEAs improve adhesion of silicone coatings is not fully understood. However, it is believed that the PEAs can act as coupling agents between the silicone coating and the substrate. The PEAs can also provide better wetting and spreading of the silicone film, which enhances the contact between the coating and the substrate.

In addition to improving adhesion strength, incorporating PEAs into silicone coatings can also enhance other properties such as flexibility, water resistance, and chemical resistance. This is because PEAs are known for their high flexibility and good resistance to chemical attack.

In conclusion, incorporating polyether amine blends into silicone coatings is a promising approach to enhance adhesion strength to various substrates. This method can also improve other properties of the silicone coating such as flexibility and chemical resistance. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanism of how PEAs improve adhesion of silicone coatings and to optimize the formulation for various applications.