Title: Instrumented flat indentation on polyester nanocomposite coatings

Authors: Carmine Lucignano, Fabrizio Quadrini

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome &nash; Italy. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome &nash; Italy

Abstract: Polyester-montmorillonite nanocomposite coatings were prepared by the in situ intercalative polymerisation method and deposited on aluminium (Al) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) substrates by the spin coating method. A fast fabrication procedure was utilised, as 1 h was sufficient to prepare each coated sample. Different coating thicknesses and filler contents were considered for the experimentation. Mechanical tests were carried out on the nanocomposite coatings by macro-indentation with a 2 mm flat punch made of tungsten carbide. An increase in the coating strength was measured up to 3 wt% nanoclay content for both the thicknesses and substrates.

Keywords: nanocomposites; macro-indentation; polyester resin; MMT; montmorillonite; flat indentation; nanocomposite coatings; nanotechnology; nanomaterials; aluminium substrate; high-density polyethylene; HDPE substrate; spin coating; coating thickness; filler contents; tungsten carbide punch; nanoclay.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2008.021352

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2008 Vol.2 No.5, pp.409 - 418

Published online: 20 Nov 2008 *

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