About the Project
Powder coatings are solvent-free heat-cured paint coatings that are applied to everything from domestic appliances to window frames, radiators, buried pipelines, car components and solar panels. They are used for the corrosion protection of light alloys, galvanised steel and carbon steel and generally, if coatings are applied to well-cleaned and pre-treated metal substrates, they will deliver good performance. It has been suggested, without much direct evidence, that this performance is because the absence of solvents and water in the powder precursor results in the final coating film having a lower porosity compared to conventional liquid paints. However, it is also known that performance is compromised where the surface treatment on the substrate is not appropriate. Thus, the overall system performance depends on both the specific powder coating and the cleaning and pre-treatment processes. Unfortunately, there is no universal treatment suitable for all substrates and further, existing effective treatments containing chromate and zinc are being challenged due to environmental legislation. Decades of field and test experience have demonstrated which are the most effective of current generation products. However, this has delivered insufficient understanding of the interactions between the metal, the surface treatment, and coating, which clearly need to function together in a holistic manner in order to give optimal performance.
This project will seek to understand the factors involved in the system performance of powder coatings focussing on galvanized and carbon steel substrates. In other words, which aspects of the substrate result in good performance, and which cause poor performance, of the coating system? Of key interest are:
• the physical, chemical, and metallurgical factors present that influence surface treatment;
• the mechanistic purpose of the surface treatment on the performance of powder coatings;
• the difference between conventional phosphate and novel zirconate surface treatments.
AkzoNobel, one of the world’s largest industrial companies, is a leading supplier of protective coatings systems and is the global #1 in powder coatings. They have major R&D facilities in the UK and the Netherlands with manufacturing facilities throughout the UK and worldwide. It is committed to sustainable manufacturing in order to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
Advanced Metallic Systems CDT
The Advanced Metallic Systems CDT is a 4 year programme hosted jointly by the universities of Manchester and Sheffield building on their complimentary expertise and international reputations in materials science and engineering research. In year 1, students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds undertake taught courses in core materials topics. PhD research begins after 6 months. Our transferable skills and personal development programme leads to a Diploma in Professional Skills. Visit our website for more information www.metallicsCDT.co.uk.
Funding Notes
Applicants should have or expect to obtain a first class, upper second class or postgraduate masters level degree in chemistry, physics or an engineering discipline. Please contact us if you wish to discuss your suitability for the programme.
The four-year studentship includes tuition fees and a minimum stipend of £16,553pa, including support from AkzoNobel.