Ambient-curable polysiloxane coatings: structure and mechanical properties

Ambient-curable polysiloxane coatings were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of 3-methacryloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane (MPDS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and subsequently mixing with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The structures of the as-obtained polysiloxane oligomers as well as the dried polysiloxane coatings on tinplate substrates were analyzed by FTIR and ²⁹Si NMR. The mechanical properties of the coatings were thoroughly examined at both macro-level and micro-level using a pendulum hardness rocker, an impact tester, and a nanoindentation/nanoscratch instrument. Effects of the molar ratio of MPDS/MTES, the dosage of aqueous ammonia solution, and the catalytic condition on the structure of polysiloxane oligomers as well as the structure and mechanical properties of the polysiloxane coatings were investigated. The dried coatings with thickness of 15–26 μm are highly elastic. The hardness (Koenig hardness and microhardness), impact resistance and scratch resistance are mainly dependent on the condensation degree of polysiloxane coatings rather than on the organic component of the coatings. A proper pre-hydrolysis process or more APS is benefit for enhancing the mechanical strength of the polysiloxane coatings. Polysiloxane coatings with high hardness and excellent scratch resistance can be prepared preferentially at low molar ratio of MPDS/MTES.