News Coatings Technologies
Weather-resistant DTM coating based on polyaspartic esters optimised
A recent Bachelor’s thesis focuses on the development of a 2K UHS Direct-to-Metal coating system with improved weather resistance and high corrosion protection, based on polyaspartic esters.
As part of a Bachelor’s thesis at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, a 2K ultra-high-solid Direct-to-Metal (DTM) coating system based on polyaspartic esters was developed. The goal was to formulate a durable weather-resistant coating that can be applied directly to metal substrates, offering high-performance corrosion protection in industrial applications.
One of the main challenges was gloss loss caused by film shrinkage during curing. This effect was minimised through targeted pre-conditioning of the formulation. The pigment volume concentration, pigment types and additives were systematically varied to enhance gloss retention and UV stability. In addition, light stabilisers and nanoscale organoclay silicates were tested for compatibility and effectiveness.
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Focus on salt spray performance and NCO ratio
A key part of the study also involved improving corrosion resistance. Salt spray tests were conducted to assess the impact of varying the NCO equivalent ratio, as well as the use of different inhibitors and anticorrosive pigments. The findings provide insights into how formulation parameters influence long-term protection performance.
The developed formulations were evaluated in terms of rheology, processing behaviour, gloss, adhesion and resistance to UV exposure. Initial test results demonstrate a promising performance profile for outdoor applications.
Source:
Lena Nägele, Bachelor’s thesis, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (embargoed until 27 November 2029)
