Automated determination of pot life of two-component reactive coatings

The process of pot life screening of two-component coatings is significantly accelerated by using an automated coating formulation system with viscosity measurement capability. High-throughput methods are revolutionizing the processes used in polymer and coatings development. A high-throughput approach to characterize the effect of formulation variables on pot life of two-component solventborne coatings is presented. Using an automated formulation system with viscosity measurement capability, the viscosity of the coatings formulations is measured periodically to determine the viscosity–time profile. As examples, variables such as catalyst type, catalyst level, polyol composition, polyol to isocyanate ratio, and pot life extender were selected as formulation variables and their role in pot life were explored. Compared to traditional pot life determination methods using efflux viscosity cups, the high-throughput approach greatly improves the speed and efficiency of the process and allows many more compositions to be explored.