Contact person
Mattias Berglin
Forskare
Contact MattiasCharacterization of materials and coatings
The marine environment is harsh and demanding for materials and coatings long time performance. Crack propagation and degradation might induce corrosion and attachment of marine biofouling. By performing stability studies including careful characterizations material design and coating formulations could be optimized, improving performance and reducing need for maintenance. Analysis is also a valuable tool during troubleshooting making it possible to determine failure mechanism.
Purpose
Understanding how ingredients and process parameters control materials and coatings surface structure after applying. Analysis of internal structure and compartmentalization of components by performing a cross-sectional analysis is possible. Parameters that could be assessed include film thickness, adhesion, crack propagation, dispersity and aggregation, wettability, chemical composition and structure on both surface and cross-sections, mechanical properties to mention a few.
Materials and formulations with improved performance in marine environment. Understanding why materials and coatings failed in the marine environment.
Method
Pristine material or coatings is examined prior to exposure under accelerated conditions in the laboratory or exposed in the field. At certain time points the sample is withdrawn and eventual changes in material properties are reassessed. Exposure conditions and suitable characterization method depends on aim with the analysis and is decided before start of study. Usually no sample preparation is needed but for cross-sectional analysis epoxy-embedding might be needed.
Deliveries
The main delivery will be a written report containing description of method, results and eventual conclusions.
