Prediction of Coating Durability by Chemical/Instrumental Means

A new protocol for assessing the photooxidation characteristics of high performance, exterior automotive basecoat/clearcoats appears to be both reliable and useful in predicting long term weathering performance of such systems. This has allowed quicker utilization of new technologies or process changes to the mutual benefit of vendor and customer. The protocol is based upon measuring the rate of generation of photooxidation products after accelerated weathering, by FTIR spectroscopy.