Evaluation of the Impact of Ionizing Radiation on Operational Properties of Polyurethane Paint Coatings

Coatings based on polyurethane paintwork materials are widely used as protective materials in many industries due to their high adhesion to metal surfaces and good chemical resistance. Anticorrosive polyurethane materials form coatings with high insulating properties, protecting the metal from the environment and thus preventing the under-film corrosion. The work is devoted to the assessment of the influence of ionizing radiation on the operational properties of polyurethane paint coatings for anticorrosive purposes. Expansion of knowledge about the influence of ionizing radiation on polyurethane paint coatings will allow to determine the optimal ways of purposeful change of their operational properties. The effect of accelerated electrons and gamma rays in doses from 0 to 100 kGy on the content of the gel fraction, hardness, hydrophobicity, resistance to sodium chloride solution and insulating properties of coatings formed from a polyurethane film-forming system. Irradiation of polyurethane coatings with accelerated electrons and gamma rays initiates the processes of chemical post-curing of coatings and leads to an increase in their hardness and an improvement in insulating properties. It has been established that the most optimal from the point of view of the post-curing process of coatings is exposure to gamma rays until an absorbed dose of 30 kGy is reached. Radiation exposure did not lead to a decrease in adhesion, elasticity and impact strength of the coatings under study. It was found that under the influence of gamma rays in doses above 30 kGy, the hydrophobic properties of polyurethane coatings and their resistance to the effects of electrolyte solutions improve. It was shown that the coatings under study have good radiation resistance at absorbed doses of 100 kGy. A polyurethane film-forming system consisting of hydroxyl-containing acrylic resin Attacryl A-HF 097 (HN = 140 mg KOH/g), castor oil (HN = 155 mg KOH/g) and polyisocyanate Basonat HI2000 (NCO = 23%) is a promising binder for the development of radiation-resistant composite materials and shielding polymer coatings.