Influence of stabilizer additives on thermochromic coating for temperature monitoring

Compounds based on smart materials are functional structures that can be used as thermochromic sensors for temperature monitoring in equipment such as pipelines, motors, and heat exchangers. We developed thermochromic coatings based on 1,3,3-trimethylindolino-β-naphthopyrylospiran acrylic polyurethane with and without 2-(2 H -benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-ditertpentylphenol photostabilizer additives and antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene and applied them on stainless-steel plates by the spray lay-up method. The samples were analyzed using a weathering chamber with UVA and UVB radiation to monitor their degradation process, revealing complete degradation of the coating without antioxidant and photostabilizer, leading to loss of its thermochromic characteristic.