Self-healing microcapsules and slow release microspheres in paints

Special microcontainers for producing self-healing and antifouling paints for corrosive and biocorrosive environment were elaborated. Our work aimed to improve the efficiency of anticorrosion paints in cases of abrasion and scratching with application of microcapsules filled with film former and corrosion inhibitor and, as well as of antifouling paints in underwater environment with application of slow-release polymeric microspheres filled with antifouling agent. First the preparation and characterization of microcapsules/spheres were in the focus, then application in paints in order to see their anticorrosion and antifouling efficiency.The preparation of microcapsules and microspheres has been carried out by emulsion polymerization by traditional techniques. The characterization of microcontainers with different shells and cores were done by complementary techniques. The morphology and the shell-thickness was visualized and measured by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), by fluorescence and optical microscopy (FM, OM). The presence and the amount of encapsulated corrosion inhibitor and antifouling agent was measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). The efficiency of coatings with microcapsules and microspheres was checked on sandblasted mild steel and on glass in natural water.