Prediction of Durability of Thermal Insulating Epoxy Coatings with Regard to Climatic Ageing

It is generally accepted that the color and performance characteristics of liquid thermal insulation coatings are affected by the combined effect of various climatic factors such as solar radiation, temperature fluctuations, moisture, precipitation and others. This work presents the results of a scientific study of the full-scale exposure of coatings with regard to climatic ageing. Methods have been carried out, such as: spectrophotometry and direct scanning; determining adhesion, determining the adhesion strength of facing and protective coatings; and thermal conductivity and thermal resistance. As the results of the research work have shown, only in situ climatic tests, accompanied by the obligatory recording of the aggressive factors affecting the coating, make it possible to assess changes in the properties of epoxy coatings in full-scale conditions and, consequently, their climatic resistance by the methods of spectrophotometry and direct scanning. The ageing of polymer composites is known to be accompanied by a change not only in elasticity but also in color. Of the epoxy coatings tested, Etal-45M showed the greatest color variation during the in situ climate test. The most decorative resistant coatings are obtained using epoxy resin ED-20 + modified epoxy resin Etal-1440N.