Self-stratifying coatings for industrial applications

This paper reviews the self-stratifying coatings concept, which is a tool to formulate film-forming compositions based on incompatible polymer blends capable of producing coatings having polymer/polymer composite structures and outstanding performance in a number of application fields. The self-stratifying concept is applicable to waterborne, solvent-based and powder coatings, requiring specific formulations and frequently also conditions of application and film formation. Micro-heterogeneous and non-homogeneous-in-layer (or ultimately double-layer) film structures obtained by one-coat application of a single coating composition render considerable enhancement in coatings properties (mechanical, protective etc.) particularly various surface/interfacial properties (e.g. scratch-resistance, mar-resistance and adhesion durability, etc.).