Enhancing Ceramic Coating Formulations for Automotive Applications

The automotive industry has witnessed a continuous evolution in coatings and paints with the purpose of enhancing properties like durability, corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. This project will delve into automotive ceramic coating, aiming to enhance their mechanical properties and longevity. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), silica nanoparticles (SiO2), graphene, and other chemical additives are infused into two distinct market grade ceramic coating – one a spray-on surface coating lasting up to 6 months, and the other an applied microfiber ceramic coating with a 1-year lifespan. Successful characterizations were performed on X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and water contact angle (WCA) test to analyze the mechanical and physical properties of samples from a car bumper. Analysis and data were gathered to demonstrate increase in hydrophobicity of the surface due to the dispersion of SiO2 NP& Graphene NPL.