DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERHYDROPHOBIC AND TRANSPARENT COATING

Abstract

The goal of this study is to create a transparent superhydrophobic coating that has been specially designed for usage in automotive applications. The goal is to treat the problems brought on by water collection on car bodies, such as corrosion, wear, and scratches, while making sure the paint's integrity is not jeopardized. The three major goals of the research are to synthesize a transparent superhydrophobic coating material, analyze its properties using multiple methods, and apply the coating to mild steel substrates. To accomplish the first goal, a superhydrophobic clear coating material is created by carefully choosing and combining appropriate components while taking transparency and other aspects like hydrophobicity into account. To ensure reproducibility and scalability, the reaction conditions and composition are optimized for the synthesis of the material. To achieve the second goal, modern characterization methods like Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements are used to examine the properties of the synthesized coating material. For further optimization and evaluation, this study offers vital insights into the material's chemical structure, shape, and wettability. The third goal is to apply the created superhydrophobic transparent coating to mild steel substrates, which are frequently used in car bodies. Considerations such as coating material qualities and required thickness are considered when examining coating deposition processes such as spray coating, dip coating, or electrophoretic deposition (EPD). To assess super hydrophobicity, transparency, adhesion, and durability, the coated mild steel samples are put through stringent performance testing. The findings of this study have important applications in the automotive industry, providing a way to reduce corrosion, wear, and scratches brought on by water collection while preserving the car's aesthetic appeal. The creation of a iv transparent superhydrophobic coating improves the surface integrity, durability, and performance of vehicles while also increasing their aesthetic appeal.