Organic/inorganic composite materials for coating applications

A new organic/inorganic coating material based on the modification of a con ventional melamine/polyol system has been developed. Polyhydroxyethylmethac rylate functionalized with alkoxysilane group was mixed with hexamethoxymet hylmelamine. Upon heating under an acid catalyzed condition, both sol-gel r eaction and melamine/polyol reactions occurred simultaneously, leading to h ighly crosslinked hybrid composites. The synthesis and characterization of the hybrid materials are reported. The organic/inorganic material was also coated and cured on polycarbonate substrates. The coated/cured samples exhi bited excellent optical property. Surface scratch and abrasion resistance o f the samples was found better than those of pristine polycarbonate substra te. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.