Polymer Case Study: Blistering Paint

What causes blistering or bubbling within a coating or paint film? These unsightly spots can stem from several factors including moisture entrapment or permeation, contamination, excessive application of coating and more. Blistering paint indicates that the coating is failing, and investigation is needed.

Case Study

Blisters were observed in paint applied to steel plates that had undergone treatment with a corrosion inhibitor. An investigation was performed to determine if there was evidence of contamination on the inside of the blister.

Analysis​

Paint from a smooth area was removed with a scalpel to serve as a control. A comparison of the elemental profile of the underside of the blister was made with the control paint section. Elements commonly associated with salts (potassium, sodium, and chlorine) were detected by SEM-EDS only on the blistered samples. The blistered area also exhibited a brown color, whereas the control counterpart was green.

Result​

The brown coloration and the presence of salts were indicative of corrosion, suggesting the steel surface had not been properly cleaned prior to paint application.

Failure Analysis of Polymers ​

For more than 50 years, scientists and engineers at Eurofins EAG have investigated and resolved product failures for clients. Our team of experts identify key failure indicators and follow them to the root cause.

Polymeric Materials Evaluated at EAG​

Failure analysis of plastics, thermosets, and rubber materials is commonly performed on finished products and typically involve comparative analysis between failed and non-failed samples. Once the potential root cause is identified, experiments can be designed and conducted to test the hypothesis and recreate the failure in the laboratory. Eurofins EAG can evaluate a variety of polymer types, including:

  • Raw materials in polymer formulations
  • Adhesives (heat/moisture/UV-cured, silicones, epoxies, acrylates)
  • Coatings (functional or decorative)
  • Thermoplastics, thermosets, thermoplastic elastomers, composites
  • Molded, extruded, cast components


Eurofins EAG Laboratories offers a full suite of analytical techniques to evaluate the identity, composition, morphology, topography, and rheology of polymeric materials and components.

  • Chromatography: GC, GC-MS, HPLC, IC, LC-MS, Pyrolysis GC-MS, HS/TD/SPME GC-MS
  • Inorganic Identification and Quantification: ICP-MS, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF
  • Physical Testing: Contact Angle, Mechanical Testing, Rheometry, Viscometry
  • Spectroscopy: Ellipsometry, FTIR, NIR, NMR, Raman, UV-Vis
  • Surface Analysis: Auger, SEM, TOF-SIMS, XPS
  • Surface Metrology: AFM, Nanoindentation, Profilometry
  • Thermal Analysis: DMA, DSC, RGA, TGA, TGA-IR, TGA-MS, TMA

Contact Our Team

Call +1 800-366-3867 or email us.

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