Properties of standard polymeric and water-based coatings for military camouflage protection with addition of inorganic fulerene-like tungsten disulphide (IF-WS2) nanoparticles
The possibility of improving the properties of the standard polymeric and a water-based coating for military camouflage protection by adding nanoparticles of inorganic fulerene-like tungsten disulphide (IF-WS2). Nanoparticles were added and dispersed in paint by ultrasonic irradiation. The paints were applied to standard steel plates, and dried, for examinations of chemical resistance to aggressive media and of the following physical-mechanical properties: hardness, flexibility, elasticity, abrasion resistance, resistance to steel balls impact and adherence. These properties were compared for paint without and with IF-WS2 nanoparticles. The effect of adding IF-WS2 on rheological properties of the paints has been examined using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), observing viscosity as a function of the shear rate. Camouflage properties were also examined - IR reflection and colorimetry. Significant improvements of mechanical resistance to abrasion and steel balls impact, as well as hardness, have been achieved.