Transparent UV-cured clay/UV-based nanocomposite coatings on wood substrates: surface roughness and effect of relative humidity on optical properties

The esthetic durability of coatings on wood surfaces of components constituting wood furniture used in bathrooms is generally affected by high humidity. In this study, surfaces of yellow birch wood (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) were protected with three different types of transparent UV-cured multilayer coatings (MCs), namely MC1, MC2, and MC3. Each MC consisted of three layers: primer, sealer, and topcoat. MC1, MC2, and MC3 contained, respectively, 0, 1, and 3 wt% of nanoclay (NC) in the topcoat, while no nanoparticle was added in the primer and sealer. The surface roughness of coated wood surfaces was measured before accelerated aging and optical properties (color and gloss) were investigated before, during, and after accelerated aging. Statistical results have shown that: (1) all coated wood samples have a similar surface roughness and (2) NC in the topcoat does not have a significant effect on initial color, whereas its effect on initial gloss is significant. There is a significant effect on relative humidity (RH) on color changes, but not between the different types of MCs. With respect to gloss, a lowering of gloss retention with the increase in aging time and RH has been observed for all coatings on wood surfaces. Significant differences appear only at high RH between: MC1 vs MC3 and MC2 vs MC3.