Transparent, abrasion-resistant coatings for metal substrates

Novel hybrid inorganic-organic network materials have been synthesized and applied as transparent abrasion-resistant coatings for metal substrates. A specially functionalized low molecular weight organic material (diethylenet riamine) served as a precursor for all coating formulations. Combination of this functionalized organic material with metal alkoxide(s):and other alko xysilane functional materials in the sol-gel reaction led to hybrid inorgan ic-organic chemical networks. While still a liquid, the initiated coating f ormulations were applied to the desired metal substrates by a spin coating process followed by thermal curing. The substrates used in this study inclu ded aluminum, plain steel, conversion coated steel, stainless steel, copper , and brass. A fluorinated monomer has also been utilized in selected cases to tailor the surface-free energy of the coatings. Such coatings displayed a linear increase in the water contact angle with increasing mass fraction of fluorinated monomer in the formulation. Other formulations have been ex plored that contain an ultraviolet absorbing species. The effects of coatin g formulation, cure temperature, and cure time on abrasion resistance have been determined.