Metrologies for characterizing optical properties of clear and pigmented coatings

Abstract

Gloss and color performance attributes are commonly used in the coatings industry to assess the appearance of new and weathered coatings. Advances in appearance measurements and models are needed to satisfy continued demands from customers for materials having enhanced appearance qualities that last throughout the life of a product. In this chapter, we present an angular- resolved, surface-optical scattering metrology for characterizing the optical reflectance properties of a coating. Through an analysis of the specular and off-specular optical scattering profiles, a link has been established between surface morphology and subsurface microstructure to optical reflectance properties of a coated material as a function of weathering time. Optical data for coatings having different degrees of pigment dispersion at various UV-exposure times were obtained using laser scanning confocal microscopy and compared to corresponding optical scattering data. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.