Scratch and wear resistance of transparent topcoats on carbon laminates

The present investigation deals with the application of low-curable powder paints on epoxy–carbon laminates. Carbon laminates were first peened to corrugate their surface, hence increasing the wettability and allowing a better adhesion of the overlying coatings. Powder coatings were then electrostatically sprayed onto peened and unpeened substrates and baked into a convection oven. Their aesthetic and tribological performance was comparatively evaluated. Powder coated peened carbon laminates exhibited good adhesion and visual appearance as well as noteworthy scratch resistance and tribological performance.