Microstructure and Morphology of Amine-cured Epoxy Coatings and Their Changes with Outdoor Exposures-An AFM Study

摘要

The atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the morphology and microstructure of an amine-cured epoxy before and after outdoor exposure. Samples included the surface (air), interface and bulk specimens prepared in carbon dioxide free and ambient conditions, and specimens exposed to outdoors for different exposure times. The same regions of the exposed samples were scanned periodically by the AFM to monitor the changes in surface morphology of the coating as UV exposure progressed. Small angle neutron scattering and FTIR transmission spectroscopy studies were also performed to verify the microstructure and to follow chemical degradation during outdoor exposures, respectively.