Abstract

Paints and coatings are composite materials made from components which impart various properties on the final dried application. In certain situations it is preferable to have a component in just one section of the film, for example anti-fouling or self cleaning agents at the film/air interface, or an increased amount of adhering particles at the substrate. A theory for developing a novel method of segregation during drying of a two component latex film has been derived mathematically. Through modelling of the diffusion behaviour as a coupled PDE system it is clear that two components, ideally with Peclet numbers either side of unity, will preferentially segregate. Experimental verification has been conducted through atomic force microscopy, which enables surface analysis of films cast under varying conditions.