Preparation of thick and hard coating films via sol–gel process with a low temperature treatment

SiO₂-polymer hybrid thick and hard coating films were successfully obtained via sol–gel process with a heat treatment at 200 °C. The films were achieved by control of hydrolysis and poly-condensation reaction of silica species. Key parameters were pH, water content and additional polymer in the coating solution. No-cracking and highly transparent films were formed with polymer content in a range from 28 to 42 mass% [vs. SiO₂]. Their thickness was varied from 2.6 to 3.5 μm with an increase in the polymer content. The haze values of the films after Taber abrasion were very low in a range from 1.3 to 2.7%, and the pencil hardness was over 9H. Moreover, no-damage was observed on the surface after steel wool abrasion with 4 kg loaded. These high mechanical strengths were come up to that of float glass, so that the coating films prepared by this process have a great potential for application to architectural and automotive window glass.