Surface Properties of Polyurethane Powder Lacquers Modified with Polysiloxane-Methacrylic Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Non- and core-shell nanoparticles-containing polyurethane-based powder coating systems, crosslinked with allophanate bonds containing polyisocyanates were examined. The surface structure of the powder coatings were investigated with a confocal microscopy and polarized optical microscopy (POM) using reflected light. The three-dimensional surface topography and the values of surface roughness were determined. The surface structure was correlated with the chemical structure of the coatings and macroscopic surface behavior: surface free energy and gloss. These experimental results led to a better understanding of the development of surface topography and morphology and provide valuable information for the development of new polyurethane powder coating systems. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123:807-814, 2012