3D mass density imaging used to visualise nanostructure of epoxy marine coating and correlate with performance.

Epoxy coatings containing aluminium flakes have excellent anticorrosive properties and are widely applied to protect steel structures in the ocean. Ptychographic x-ray computed tomography at the Swiss Light Source was used by a team from the London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London and AkzoNobel to evaluate the connection between coating structure and performance.

An approach for validating mechanistic assumptions and modelling electrochemical processes was developed. It can be used to shorten the product research and development lifetime.

References

Three-dimensional structure analysis and percolation properties of a barrier marine coating
Chen B, Guizar-Sicairos M, Xiong G, Shemilt L, Diaz A, Nutter J, Burdet N, Huo S, Mancuso J, Monteith A, Vergeer F, Burgess A, Robinson I
Scientific Reports. 2013;3:1177
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01177