Effect of concentration GO and diamond wax and method of introducing additives on morphology and properties of epoxy powder coating

The morphology and properties of epoxy powder coating with two additives based on allotropic forms of carbon, diamond, and graphene oxide (GO), were studied. The effect of concentrations and preparation methods on the dispersion of GO within the polymer matrix was investigated. Two methods of introducing coating additives were investigated, to the component blend before extrusion and dry-mixed with the sieved powder. The surface roughness, abrasive wear resistance, thickness, as well as glossing of the coating were analysed depending on the type, concentration, and applied method of preparation. The study showed that the quantity of agglomerates in polymer matrix depends on the applied dispersion method. The lowest number of GO agglomerates was obtained by GO sonication before mixing of raw materials. The relationship between the content of GO in the coating and the abrasion resistance was found. The lowest abrasive wear was found for coating with 0.3% GO introduced by extrusion. Both additives, GO and diamond, in various concentrations have an impact on the coating wear resistance. • Method of dispersing additives has the strongest effect on properties of coatings. • GO sonication provides better homogenization of GO than extrusion and dry blending. • GO introduced by extrusion improves the wear resistance of the coatings. • Large agglomerates of GO were found for coatings with dry blended GO. • The dry-blend addition of GO did not increase wear resistance.