Interfacial Characterization of Multiple Layer Coatings on Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO)

Published

May 30, 2008

Author(s)

Aaron M. Forster, Chris A. Michaels, Justin Lucas, Li Piin Sung

Abstract

Thermoplastic olefins (TPO) have made significant inroads as polymeric materials for interior and exterior automotive parts. Spray applied chlorinated polyolefins (CPO) are often used to improve paint adhesion to the low surface energy TPO substrates. The penetration of the CPO into the substrate is difficult to quantify, but is critical for achieving a good paint/TPO bond. The interphase between each layer in a coated TPO coupon was investigated using a combination of instrumented indentation and confocal Raman microscopy. The degree of CPO interpenetration was altered by using three different CPOs exposed to two different manufacturing methods for the same TPO and base/clear coat system. It was found that the interfaces, CPO/base coat or CPO/TPO, were chemically and mechanically sharp at the 1 m lateral resolution of both techniques. A gradient in the modulus through the thickness of the clear coat was observed using instrumented indentation.

Citation

Fundamentals of Nanoindentation and Nanotribology IV

Publisher Info

Materials Research Society, Warrendale, PA

Pub Type

Book Chapters

Keywords

nanoindentation, melamine clear coatings, modulus, hardness, thermoplastic polyolefin, confocal Raman microscopy, chlorinated adhesion promoter, TPO, CPO

Citation

Forster, A. , Michaels, C. , Lucas, J. and Sung, L. (2008), Interfacial Characterization of Multiple Layer Coatings on Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO), Fundamentals of Nanoindentation and Nanotribology IV, Materials Research Society, Warrendale, PA (Accessed March 26, 2025)