Structure–property correlations of flexible clear coats

In this paper thermomechanical and mechanical properties of various free clear coat films for coil-coated steel sheets were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. To establish structure–property correlations, polyacrylate and polyester binder resins with varying molar mass and functionality were investigated. The clear coat films based on polyacrylate binders exhibited higher glass transitions values, crosslinking densities, elastic modulus and tensile strength values. For both resin types, a relationship of the properties glass transition temperature, crosslinking density, stiffness and tensile strength and the functionality considering the molar mass and the hydroxyl value of the resins was obtained. The elastic strain energy of the investigated brittle clear coat films depended mainly on the elastic modulus.