Novel Self-Healing Nanocomposite Coatings

A polymer coating imparts two important functions to the underlying substrate.  The aesthetic function gives the substrate a good appearance; the protective function protects the substrate from mechanical and chemical damage.  Due to routine use, surface scratches are generated and micro-cracks develop and eventually lead to macroscopic damage, which results in the coating losing its aesthetic and protective functions.  The use of a self-healing coating will increase the operational life of coatings and eliminate the need to frequently repaint or replace damaged coatings.  NEI Corporation has core strength in nanotechnology, and has leveraged this capability to develop a technology platform of self-healing coatings for a myriad of applications and substrates.  The coating material not only repairs minor surface scratches, but deep scratches as well.  The self-healing function is aided in part by the novel morphology of the coating.  This paper will discuss the technical approach and test results of the nanocomposite coating system.