MICROSTRUCTURE OF WEATHERED PAINT AND ITS RELATION TO GLOSS LOSS - COMPUTER-SIMULATION AND MODELING

The role of pigment particle size, pigment volume concentration, and d ispersion in gloss loss of paint films on weathered surfaces is unclea r. Because reproducible and cost effective data are difficult to obtai n, an approach based on computer simulation and modeling is a promisin g and supplementary tool. We describe the simulation of a painted surf ace consisting of pigment particles of known size, pigment volume conc entration and dispersion, situated in a binder that erodes over time d ue to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Pigment particle size, geomet ry, pigment volume concentration, and pigment particle dispersion are parameters of the model. Our purpose is to illustrate how simulation c an be used to aid the development of formulation strategies for the de sign of coatings with desirable gloss characteristics.