Studying the effects of the chemical structure of an automotive clearcoat on its biological degradation caused by tree gums

The effects of artificial and natural tree gums on the mechanical, chemical, and aesthetic performances of two automotive acrylic/melamine clearcoats were studied. To this end, two clearcoats with different acrylic/melamine ratios were investigated. Biological experiments were performed under post-aging conditions using an accelerated weathering test. Analytical techniques including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gloss measurement, FTIR, and DMTA analyses were utilized to reveal the responses of the coating system upon exposure to the aforementioned biological materials. Contact angle measurements were also conducted to estimate the surface energy of the coatings. Greater crosslinking density, together with a higher T _g and damping behavior of the clearcoat, indicative of a greater degree of cure, were obtained as the ratio of melamine crosslinker increased. It was shown that both Arabic and natural tree gums could strongly attach to the clearcoats’ surface, imposing a significant stress during the drying process, thereby leading to a physical failure. In addition, the acidic nature of these biological materials leads to a chemical alteration in the clearcoats’ structure. The greater crosslinking density and lower hydrophilicity of the clearcoats containing higher melamine crosslinker were responsible for the weaker interaction of gums with the surface. This showed a greater capability for stress damping. Small surface cracks with fracture morphology on the coatings exposed to biological materials at higher exposure times (in the xenon test) were also observed. This is discussed based on the adhesion of the coatings to gums at longer exposure times, because of significant stress.