Helium gas permeability reduction of epoxy composite coatings by incorporation of glass flakes

Glass flake modified epoxy coatings were formulated as a possible barrier coating to prevent or limit the leak of radioactive gases generated by irradiated graphite. Helium gas was chosen as the test gas. The reduction of the helium gas permeability was evaluated using a helium leak detector fitted with a mass spectrometer. Both electron microscopy and microfocus x-ray tomography were used to characterize the composite morphology. Results indicate that the gas permeability of polymer coatings was significantly reduced by up to three orders of magnitude by incorporating glass flakes into the epoxy resin matrix. The application of a multilayer technique limited settling of the glass flakes which further improved the orientation of the flakes parallel to the substrate surface. The orientation of the glass flakes within the polymer matrix with respect to the substrate surface was found to play a significant role in reducing the helium gas permeability. The helium gas barrier properties of the glass flake filled epoxy resin coatings were modeled by applying tortuosity factors.

► The coating appears to be an excellent option as a gas barrier.
► Glass flake filled composite polymer is used as a composite barrier for helium.
► Helium flux reduction from 1.76×10−08 to 2.5×10–11 mol m−2 s−1.
► Orientation of the glass flakes significantly improved gas barrier properties.