Influence of cross-linking agents and curing condition on the performance of epoxy coating

The performance of epoxy coating on metal substrate at low temperature and high humidity application has adverse effect on cure rate, film properties and adhesion. In recent years, several advanced amine cross-linking agents having superior curing ability at low temperature application environment have been introduced. The aim of this paper is to study the properties of epoxy-based coating cured with different cross-linking agents designed for low temperature application at different environmental conditions.

Series of cross linking agents such as modified cycloaliphatic amine (H1), polyamine adduct (H2), modified aliphatic ketamine (H3), phenalkamine (H4) and phenalkamide (H5) have been studied to evaluate their performance in epoxy compositions when cured at four environmental conditions, i.e. at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures with 60 and 90 per cent relative humidity, respectively. The effect of curing conditions was investigated by evaluating different physico-mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical analyser technique was used to determine glass transition temperature (T_g) and cross-link density (ρ) of coatings. Anticorrosive properties of coatings also have been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The outcome of this study is expected to generate new insight into the curing behaviour of epoxy coating using different cross-linking agents which are recommended for low temperature application. Optimum physico-mechanical and corrosion resistance properties have been obtained by phenalkamine curing agent at low temperature and high humidity condition.

This study is an experimental approach to select the better cross-linking agent for low temperature application. Different test conditions were measured for understanding the performance of epoxy coating cured at different environmental condition.

The understanding reaction mechanism of the epoxy resin with cross-linking agent at different environmental condition is the great challenge and is hardly investigated in the literature. Therefore, in this research, the influence of climatic conditions and type of cross-linking agents on curing behaviour of epoxy-based coating was investigated.