Abstract
Nowadays, the majority of plastic materials presents limited scratch and mar resistance when compared to other materials, as ceramics, glass and metals. These negative aesthetic properties limit polymers from being used in a broad range of applications and market sectors and, as a result, leading companies in plastic sector are making a significant effort to overcome this challenge.
To solve the problem of polymeric surfaces scratching, several technologies are being researched. Coatings are one of the most advanced technologies. Generally, coatings are applied in order to protect, improve or decorate different products. However, there is a low adhesion between the coating and the plastic material due to the low polarity of the latter.
In order to solve this, a new technology based on molecular self assembly (SAM) has recently been developed. This is one of the most promising techniques to create a scratch-resistant coating at a competitive price.
Based on SAM technology, the NANOSCRATCH project is working on the development of an innovative technology for a high performance scratch-resistant coating for plastics, at a low cost, using a custom made process and which is environmentally friendly.
To achieve a strong bond between the piece surface and the coating, the plastic surface can be modified through a mild oxidation and chemical functionalization process, using selfassembly molecules. This new technique provides an effective bond between the plastic surface and the nanoparticles coating, due to a highly cross-linked network formed at the surface, avoiding the traditional adhesion problems of coatings applied onto plastics, due to its polarity, maintaining the appearance of the original part.
The new NANOSCRATCH coatings that are being developed will be applied to low scratch resistant polymers such as PolyproPylene (PP), or others as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Polypropylene/ Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (PP/EPDM) or in its optimization for Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
This new NANOSCRATCH technology will have a significant impact on the plastic industry, improving the current plastic properties and offering a wider range of applications. Although the project development is aimed at the automotive sector and the white goods industry, the results of the project could be applied to other diverse sectors, such as electronics in computers, DVDs or in artificial ceramic surface plates.
Keywords: SAM technology, coating, scratch resistance, nanotechnology