Epoxidized soybean oil-based ceramer coatings

New inorganic/organic hybrid coating containing epoxidized soybean oil were prepared. Three sol-gel precursors titanium (IV) i-propoxide, titanium (IV) di-i-propoxide bis-acetoacetonate, and zirconium n-propoxide] were utilized as the inorganic phase. Various coating properties, including adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, flexibility and tensile properties, were investigated as a function of sol-gel precursor type and concentration. All ceramer coatings exhibited excellent flexibility and hardness. Tensile strength and hardness increased with sol-gel precursor concentration. A slight decrease in adhesion and impact resistance was observed with increasing precursor content.