An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of different surface treatments on the moisture absorption behavior of glass fabric/polyester composites. The materials under study included composites containing clean glass fabrics, fabrics treated with a silane coupling agent, and fabrics coated with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer. Weight gain data versus time of immersion were collected at three immersion temperatures and water uptake at equilibrium as well as apparent diffusion coefficients were calculated. The interlaminar shear strength was also measured at the initial dry state and at different stages of the absorption process to estimate the interfacial contribution to sorption behavior.
This article provides an overview of the outcomes of a European-funded project called BarrierPlus. A new type of water-based barrier coating was developed for structural steel applications. Advantages of this coating include enhanced moisture resistance, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and one-component self-crosslinking free of isocyanates. To enable this performance, a latex polymer binder was uniquely designed without using soaplike molecules, known as surfactants, to form the dispersion. By minimizing surfactants in the coating, the barrier properties were significantly enhanced. The latex was successfully scaled up to 15 kg quantities by an SME, coatings formulations were scaled to pilot quantities, and a variety of characterization and coatings performance tests were completed. A life cycle assessment found that the BarrierPlus coating has a better environmental profile than an Manuscript submitted to Steel Construction industry benchmark solvent-borne coating and showed promising results relative to commercial waterborne benchmarks.
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