Photostabilization of coatings. Mechanisms and performance

The lifetime of organic coatings is reduced in outdoor applications by atta cks of solar radiation, oxygen and atmospheric pollutants. Undesirable mech anical, physical and chemical consequences of the resulting degradation can be substantially restricted by properly selected photostabilizers. Structu res of absorbers of UV radiation (UVA) and photoantioxidants (hindered amin e stabilizers, HAS), mechanisms of their activity, processes responsible fo r loss of their durability, interferences with other coating components (ca talysts, pigments, extenders) and application in various coatings are outli ned. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.