Epoxidized soybean oil-based ceramer coatings

New inorganic/organic hybrid coatings containing epoxidized soybean oil wer e prepared. Three sol-gel precursors [titanium (IV) i-propoxide, titanium ( IV) di-i-propoxide bis-acetoacetonate, and zirconium n-propoxide] were util ized as the inorganic phase. Various coating properties, including adhesion , hardness, impact resistance, flexibility and tensile properties, were inv estigated as a function of sol-gel precursor type and concentration. All ce ramer coatings exhibited excellent flexibility and hardness. Tensile streng th and hardness increased with sol-gel precursor concentration. A slight de crease in adhesion and impact resistance was observed with increasing precu rsor content.