0. “Recent Discoveries in FEVE Fluoropolymer Resin Technology – Performance Beyond Weatherability”
Bob Parker
AGC Chemicals
October 29, 2014

1. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Outline:
Explanation of FEVE polyol technology
Summary of FEVE resins and their properties
Exposure testing of FEVE resin formulations
Corrosion resistance testing
Chemical Resistance Testing
Moisture Permeability Testing
Summary

2. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Fluoroethylene Vinyl Ether (FEVE) Resins
FLUORINATED SEGMENTS: Weatherability, chemical resistance
VINYL ETHER SEGMENTS: Gloss, solubility, crosslinking

3. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Characteristics of FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins:
Ambient Cure
Allows field applications at
ambient temperatures
OH Functionality
- Crosslinkable with hardeners
Solvent Soluble
Conventional application techniques
Wide range of gloss
Fluoropolymer Segments
UV Resistance
Corrosion resistance
Chemical and solvent resistance

4. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Markets for FEVE resin-containing coatings:
Architectural Coatings for commercial buildings
Industrial Maintenance Coatings for water towers, bridges, and assorted metal and concrete structures
Aerospace coatings
Applications in Marine environments

5. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Commercial Types of “FEVE” Polyol Resins:
Solvent soluble resins –
uses organic solvents for viscosity reduction;
predominantly cured with isocyanates;
available as resin solutions or as 100% solid resins
2) Water-based dispersion –
carboxyl modification of FEVE resin to obtain
stable dispersion in water

6. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Commercial Types of “FEVE” Polyol Resins:
3) Water-based emulsion –
use vinyl ether macromonomers containing
polyoxyethylene (EO) units to create stable emulsion

7. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
QUV-B Weatherometer Exposure Testing

8. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
QUV-A Weatherometer Exposure Testing

9. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Sunshine Weatherometer Exposure Testing (Carbon Arc)

10. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
EMMAQUA Testing (Outside Test Fence – Arizona)

11. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
South Florida Test Fence Exposure

12. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Corrosion Resistance Test of FEVE Coatings:
LOCATION: Suruga Bay Marine Test Station (offshore)
LENGTH OF TEST: 16 years
COATINGS SYSTEMS ON TEST:
1) Zinc-rich primer / Epoxy Midcoat / Acrylic Urethane Topcoat
2) Zinc-rich primer / Epoxy Midcoat / Fluorourethane Topcoat
THICKNESS OF COATING:
PRIMER = 3 mils / MIDCOAT = 6 mils / TOPCOAT = 1 mil(25 microns)

13. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Measurement of Total Erosion of the Topcoat
ACRYLIC URETHANE TOPCOAT
FLUOROURETHANE TOPCOAT
INITIAL MEASUREMENT (microns) 25
FINAL MEASUREMENT (microns)
0 (after 13 years) 21

14. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis)
BLUE: Chloride
GREEN: Coating System
RED: Metal
SEM Scan of cross section
Of Coating System
(after 16 year exposure)

15. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
INITIAL
AFTER 15 YEARS
SEM Scan of Zinc-rich Primer

16. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
2000 Hours of B117
Salt Spray testing
(Panels primed with
3 mils of 2K Epoxy)
2K Polyurethane
on the left (1 Coat)
2K Fluoro-urethane
on the right (1 Coat)

17. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
2000 Hours of B117
Salt Spray testing
(Panels primed with
3 mils of 2K Epoxy)
2K Polysiloxane
on the left (1 Coat)
2K Fluoro-urethane
on the right (1 Coat)

18. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Chemical Resistance Testing
The following testing is immersion testing.
The coated test panels are fully immersed
in the chemical/solvent and observed
for any changes in their appearance

19. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
The test coating is a gloss white 2-pack fluorourethane.
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
(Acid or Base)
FEVE Resin with medium crosslink density (Days to Failure*)
FEVE Resin with high crosslink density (Days to failure*)
10% HCl (Hydrochloric Acid)
>30
10%H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid)
5% CH3COOH (Acetic Acid)) 17
1% H2SO3 (Sulphur Dioxide) 3
10% NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide)
12% NaOCl (Sodium Hypochlorite)
*Failure is defined as one of these changes in the dry film:
The appearance of blisters
Gloss reduction
Total paint film degradation

20. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
The test coating is a gloss white 2-pack fluorourethane.
SOLVENT EXPOSURE
FEVE Resin with medium crosslink density (Days to Failure*)
FEVE Resin with high crosslink density (Days to failure*)
Aqueous Formaldehyde
>30
Benzene
Xylene 10
Acetone 20
Isopropanol
*Failure is defined as one of these changes in the dry film:
The appearance of blisters
Gloss reduction
Total paint film degradation

21. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
4 Hour Spot Test – 98% Sulphuric Acid
Panel #2 –
3-4 mils of Epoxy primer
5-6 mils of FEVE-based clear coating
Coating remained intact
Panel #1 –
3-4 mils of Epoxy Primer
Coating dissolved immediately

22. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Moisture Permeability Testing
Following ASTM Test Method E96 or D1653
Measuring the amount of water vapor transmitted through the film of the cured coating
Unit of measurement is grams of water vapor per cm² per hour
There is a correlation between the amount of moisture permeability of the coating and the degree of corrosion of the substrate

23. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Resin Type
Cured with Hardener
Film Thickness (microns)
Total Moisture Permeation**
FEVE polyol* No 20
1.09 x 10ˉ³
Acrylic Polyol
4.5 x 10ˉ³
FEVE Polyol*
Yes 21
0.45 x 10ˉ³
Acrylic polyol 14
1.55 x 10ˉ³
*medium crosslink density resin
**grams of water vapor per cm² per hour

24. Recent Discoveries in FEVE Technology
Summary
FEVE resin technology is an alternative choice for exterior coatings, both pigmented coatings and clearcoats.
They possess some interesting properties that expand the list of formulating tools which can be used in the pursuit of high-performance industrial maintenance coatings.
FEVE resin technology can be easily incorporated into many standard solvent-based and water-based formulations.