Evaluation of polyurethane coating performance under various atmospheric conditions

Resumen

A thorough wear analysis was carried out on four variants of polyurethane-based paint, each with different compositions. The central objective was to determine the magnitude of wear of each type, considering the influence of various environmental factors, which were evaluated under atmospheric conditions at altitudes of 0 m.a.s.l. and 2800 m.a.s.l. To achieve this purpose, accelerated laboratory tests were implemented to replicate adverse conditions for the coating. In addition, outdoor tests were carried out, considering different atmospheric conditions. Both types of tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM guidelines, thus ensuring an optimal quality standard for the results obtained. The results revealed the marked influence of UV rays on coating wear, as well as variations in color and gloss loss over the course of different tests and atmospheric conditions. Significantly, it was observed that outdoor tests generated more pronounced wear due to factors such as light, temperature, humidity and contamination, compared to simulated laboratory tests. In particular, it was noted that silica-protected paints exhibited less loss in both gloss and color under both normal and simulated conditions. This finding supports the conclusion that this compound can indeed extend the life of the paint.