Mechanical characteristics of alkyd binder reinforced by surface modified colloidal nano silica

Performance and longevity of wood as a building material is dependent on the appropriate protection for the desired application. Alkyd based coatings have been in use for decades in order to protect wood. This study reports the influence of two differently modified colloidal nano silica on static and dynamic mechanical properties on a water-borne alkyd binder. An important aspect was to utilize Raman spectroscopy to ensure that all the composites are tested at the same state of cure. Increases of storage modulus and glass transmission temperature are reported together with changes in tensile properties. The tensile specimens were observed using SEM to obtain information on failure modes for the pure polymer and nano composites and difference in roughness of fracture surfaces is discussed. A beta relaxation of the alkyd binder was also found and was not hindered by the presence of nanoparticles.