Submicrometer characterization of surfaces of epoxy-based organic-inorganic nanocomposite coatings. A comparison of AFM study with currently used testing techniques

Surface properties (morphology, hardness) of transparent colorless epoxy‐based organic–inorganic nanocomposite coatings were investigated by atomic force microscopy, optical and scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and the Persoz pendulum test. Friction and wear coefficients were obtained from tribological experiments. The influence of mechanical properties and the size, shape, and concentration of additives (colloidal silica particles and montmorillonite sheets) on the measured surface characteristics are discussed. It was found that the highest surface hardness (assigned by nanoindentation, pendulum test or expressed as the scratch resistance) exhibited materials with the glass‐transition temperature close to 20°C. Microcopy techniques revealed that surface morphology is influenced by both types of admixtures: on the nanometer scale by colloidal silica particles and on micrometer scale by montmorillonite platelets. Already 1 wt % of montmorillonite increased friction coefficients and wear resistance without distinctive changes of tensile properties. However, the addition of ˜ 20 wt. % of silica nanoparticles was necessary for the increase of wear and scratch resistances. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:5763–5774, 2006