Study of the influence of nano-silica particles on the curing reactions of acrylic-melamine clear-coats

Acrylic-silica nano-composites were made by grinding and dispersing of silica nano-particles in a thermosetting acrylic resin via milling. The resulting compositions were characterized in terms of curing reaction and the final film morphology. The cure reaction of the Neat and nano-particle containing clear-coats was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the presence of nano-silica particles, either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, reduces the activation energy of cure and increases the total heat of reaction. The morphology of the film is also extensively influenced by the presence of nano-particles.