abstract
This study investigated the moisture absorption and mechanical degradation of epoxy-based polymer systems with Mg-Al/NO3 layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles content up to 5 wt%. Such systems are developed for multilayer corrosion protective coatings. A sorption model was developed to calculate the moisture concentration field in the multilayer structures using Fick's law of diffusion. The finite-difference method was used for the numerical solution. Epoxy/LDH nanocomposites were prepared using various dispersion methods with solvents, wetting agents, and via a three-roll mill. Moisture absorption was measured under different environmental conditions, including temperatures up to 50 degrees C and salinity levels up to 26.3 wt% salt solution. The results showed that equilibrium moisture content increased by 50% in hot water, while it was reduced by up to two times in salt solution. The diffusion coefficient in hot water increased up to four times compared to room temperature. The numerical algorithm was validated against experimental data, accurately predicting moisture distribution over time in complex polymer systems. Mechanical tests revealed that the elastic modulus did not change after water exposure; however, the ultimate strength decreased by 10-15%, especially in specimens with 5 wt% LDH.
keywords
ENHANCEMENT; RESISTANCE; PROTECTION
subject category
Polymer Science
authors
Stankevich, S; Zeleniakiene, D; Sevcenko, J; Bulderberga, O; Zetkova, K; Tedim, J; Aniskevich, A
Groups
acknowledgements
The project Coat4Life received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sk & lstrok;odowska-Curie grant agreement No 101007430.