Nanoclay as Anti-Blistering Agent in Polyester Based Coating: Effect of Sea Water and Distilled Water Exposure

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nanoclay on hardness, pull off and blistering effect of polyester based coating. Polyester coat, nanoclay and hardener (MEKP) were mixed and mechanically stirred for one hour at ambient temperature at a shear rate of 1000 rpm. Prepared coating was then applied on the surface of plywood for the characterization of the hardness and pull off strength and for the observation of blistering effect towards sea and distilled water. As a result, 6% nanoclay loading gives better hardness strength which is 65% increment from unmodified polyester. However, the pull off strength shows that 2% of nanoclay loading gives higher strength among others with 114% increment compared to unmodified polyester coating. Blister was mostly observed at samples without nanoclay loading for both sea water and distilled water. While the less blistering effect was present at 2% nanoclay loading for sea water and 4% nanoclay loading for distilled water. The presence of nanoclay within the coating improves its bonding ability and the decreasing the micro space within the polymer. Blistering effect for highest and lowest frequency was observed by electron scanning microscope (SEM).