Hard coatings on polycarbonate plate by sol-gel reactions of melamine derivative, PHEMA, and silicates

Hard coatings were deposited on a polycarbonate plate using a sol‐gel process with a melamine derivative, PHEMA, and silicates, and examined as potential substitutes for glass in cars. Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was partially functionalized with (3‐isocyanatopropyl)triethoxysilane, and the synthesized polymer was used to form a coating solution with methylated poly(melamine‐co‐formaldehyde), tetraethoxysilane, and methyltriethoxysilane. The coatings on the polycarbonate plate were deposited using a sol‐gel process. Precoating with poly(methyl methacrylate) was carried out to improve the adhesive strength of the coating. The optimum conditions and formulation to obtain excellent physical properties of the coating were determined. Smooth coatings with the hardness of a 3H class pencil, excellent abrasion resistance, and transparency were formed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers