Synthesis and characterization of APTMS/melamine cured hyperbranched polyester-epoxy hybrid coatings

An epoxy-terminated hyperbranched polyester (EPHBP) was prepared by the reaction of hyperbranched polyester (HBP) and epichlorohydrin (EPH). Herein, we have synthesized a new kind of highly epoxy ended branched polyester to enhance the chemical bonding at the interfaces and to reduce the melt viscosity. The structural investigation of the hyperbranched polyesters was carried by spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while molar masses were determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effect of the content of hexamethoxy methyl melamine (HMMA) and 3-amino propyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) mixture on the thermal, mechanical and interfacial properties of EPHBP resins were also studied. The thermal, dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of the heat cured coating films were also investigated. The combined analysis of the results indicate that the introduction of APTMS results in the enhancement of the thermal stability, glass-transition temperature (T_g), storage modulus, tensile strength and contact angle of the cured films. The improvement in properties depends on the APTMS content of the cured films. The cured films have also shown higher elongation at break due to the use of HMMA and presence of unmodified epoxide groups which indicates good flexibility and toughness of the coating films.