Influence of a microcomposite and a nanocomposite on the properties of an epoxy-based powder coating

The incorporation of nanoclays into coatings has been considered to be commercially favorable due to the improvements obtained in the barrier, thermal, and anticorrosion properties, among others, leading to the development of a new segment in the area of clean technologies: the application of nanocomposites to powder coatings. In this study, in order to compare the performance of a powder coating with the addition of a conventional load (barium sulfate) and a montmorillonite clay (MMT), two mixtures of commercial epoxy-based powder coating were prepared in the melt state, with the addition of 2 and 4% (w/w) of MMT, or 2 and 4% (w/w) of barium sulfate (BaSO4). The thermal properties were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the load dispersion and the morphology of the systems formed. The physical and anticorrosion properties of the coatings were also investigated. The interaction of the MMT with the polymeric matrix, associated to the aspect ratio, resulted in better barrier properties, thermal stability, and adhesion to the metal substrate.